Something different Candle repair

[woodbutcher]

Yeah,I know they`re cheap.But are`nt we all tinkers?And cheap to boot?Got a candle that has a nice aroma,so I lit it.Mickey mouse wick install.Only about 2" of wick.My fix was to find an old set of sneaker laces.The old cotton style.Used a drill to finger twist a hole in the wax the depth of the candle(Ball shaped)to the bottom of the wax ball.Cut a suitable length of the lace and stuffed it in the drilled hole.Heated wax till the new wick was soaked,and then lit it.Works like a champ.
The flame just fascinates Morris kitty,but he is smart enough to keep his distance.
Good luck.Have fun.Be safe.
Leo

[bikerbeans]

If you had used a lace from one of my shoes I don't think you would like the aroma.

BB

[Minerat]

^^^I can relate to that^^^ LOL

[Geezer in NH]

Broken candles are great flux , so you broke flux.

[JBinMN]

I fix them as well, when necessary, or I think they are "good ones" to save.


Otherwise, many just go into the lube mix or for fluxing.

You are not alone.

[woodbutcher]

No worries about aroma.These were new still in the paper sleeve.
Good luck.Have fun.Be safe.
Leo

[Winger Ed.]

Never thought about rebuilding candles.

Back in the old days, I'd round up the old ones, along with all the kid's broken crayons.
I'd melt it all down, add motor oil until it was 'just right', and that was my boolit lube.

It worked OK, but smelled gawd-awful after each shot.

[KCSO]

Mangelsens had regular wicking at one time. For rendezvous I use flax hand spun and make dipped candles.

[MaryB]

Mom used to save all the old candle stubs and we would do a kids project melting it down then pouring new candles in cans and milk cartons... we used them up at the lake so shape or color was no big deal... I had some I used in my pickup topper for heat on chilly spring/fall nights when I was camping.

[BNE]

This forum is all about taking things most people throw out and making them useful again.

I have not considered reworking a candle, but why not? It’s not always about the cost, it’s more about “Can I ...?”

[Winger Ed.]

This forum is all about taking things most people throw out and making them useful again. ?”

Wait around long enough, and someone here will figure out how to re-sharpen a sheet of sandpaper.

[bedbugbilly]

Woodbutcher - I actually think you are on to something really great here in regards to your "candle repair" - and I wouldn't give too many of your secrets away! Just think of it . . . if the Left ever gets their way and we are all forced to "go green" . . . we will all be in the dark with the ban of fossil fuels. You could start a new college for training "candle repair persons" (Not repairman or repairwoman as those terms are no longer PC) and make it a four year degree. Just think of the opportunities for the "snowflakes" who are still living in their parent's basement at 35 . . . a new trade that would be socially acceptable and they could become "independent". . . . . and if they are successful at it and make a profit . . I'm sure they will be more than happy to turn that over to their new Socialist leaders? LOL

On another note - I used to have a couple of nice primitive "Betty Lamps" - the type that burned grease with a wick for light. I used them when I primitive camped for light instead of a candle - kept a tin of solidified bacon grease for the fuel. I both a 100% cotton "mop head" and used the strands for wicks - worked good. If you had a big candle, they were round and if the right size hole was drilled and then they were inserted in and wax poured around them they would work nicely too.

When I was a kid, we always had a stash of candles and a box of strike anywhere kitchen matches on hand as you never knew when the power would go out and no electricity for a while. I wonder how many young folks even think about that anymore or if they just rely on flashlights without thinking that with no spare batteries, they'll be out of luck if the power is off over an extended period of time. But then how many make sure they have a back-up water supply or even know how to flush a toilet with a bucket of water.

I smiled when I read your post - it reminded me of how many of us were taught to "dix" even the most basic things rather than pitch them.

[Three44s]

Discarded and broken candles around here get repurposed for wax boolits and fluxing etc.

But if there was a disaster and we needed candles worse than the above tasks it is useful to know they can be fixed.

Back in fourth grade we were taught how to make candles in small milk cartons and we made a dressed up one for our mothers at Christmas. My mother cherished her’s the rest of her life and my father still has it.

Three44s

[T_McD]

We just “made” candles from old candle leftovers. Put complimentary scents together and added aromatherapy oils to some. Set up a pot of hot water and melted each remnant and combined into an empty jar with a new wick or two. The woman folk in my family are scented candle addicts so this “saved” $60 or more.

[MaryB]

I just flip to the 24 volt solar lights LOL and flip the inverter on to power the computer...

[woodbutcher]

I guess I learned my tight wad ways from Mom and Dad.They lived through the"Great Depression".Dad was born 11-11-1896 and Mom was born 7-4-1906.Sure do miss them.
Good luck.Have fun.Be safe.
Leo

[RU shooter]

Wait around long enough, and someone here will figure out how to re-sharpen a sheet of sandpaper.

What don't every one do that ? Glue and sand good as new ! Lol

[fiberoptik]

Around my family I’m well known for repurposing everything. I built my reloading station out of trash. Son in law trying to be funny asked me if I had a use for an old 8 track deck from the seventies. I said sure, absolutely!
I gutted the plywood box and used it to house the scale and dies in use, along with calipers & micrometer. I can find a use for just about anything!
Oh, and sandpaper—use horsetail weed. It’s full of silica!

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