Another batch of Felix lube

[ph4570]

I set out to make another batch of Felix lube. This one was to be colored red using candle dye, the solid type. All went as usual until I began melting the beeswax -- I was then beset by hundreds of honey bees -- YIKES! I guess my previous batches were not done during bee season.

I summoned a child and armed it with a can of mint insect repellent. He kept the bees at bay while I finished the task. The color came out good. It will be more apparent how well the lube grooves are filled out.

The lube was cast into 1" PVC segments. I tried the PAM trick to see if that would facilitate easier liberation of the solidified sticks. I got a lot of lube leakage where the PVC is stuck into holes of a wooden block. That is a new situation which I attribute to the PAM. The sticks may have come out easier but I have not had a big problem with that in the past. I put them in the freezer for and hour and then they pop out using a wooden dowel. So, no more PAM for me!

All in all it went well and I am looking forward to using the new batch and seeing how the color works out as far as better groove fill out observation goes.

BUT, the bees, the annoying bees!!!!!!

[Blammer]

I've discovered that if you pull the PVC off of the lube when it is WARM but solid they come out real easy. No 'release agent' needed.

[ph4570]

I've discovered that if you pull the PVC off of the lube when it is WARM but solid they come out real easy. No 'release agent' needed.

I will give that a try next time.

[ghh3rd]

My second batch of lube sticks with my 1" pvc molds (not cut in half) worked better than the first. The second time I pushed the lube out while the molds were still somewhat warm and they slid out very easily, no effort at all.