Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

MEMBER BULLETIN BOARD => GREETINGS/TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF => Topic started by: DebraM on April 23, 2012, 02:47:48 PM

Title: Just joined - Hello!
Post by: DebraM on April 23, 2012, 02:47:48 PM
Hi!

I just joined the forum.  My primary occupation is coppersmithing.  I have a product I make that I put the metal on top of to form out my shapes, etc.  The primary ingredient is rosin and clay.  I have heard that some of the old recipes also used beeswax in addition to the rosin.

Can anyone tell me if there different grades of beeswax?  My thoughts are that it would have to have the same softening or melting temp as the rosin or everything might separate when I try to mix it.

Any information would be helpful. 

Thanks! 


Title: Re: Just joined - Hello!
Post by: AllenF on April 23, 2012, 06:37:12 PM
IMO beeswax is beeswax.  It just changes in color and age.  It all melts the same if it is clean and pure.   Welcome to the forum.
Title: Re: Just joined - Hello!
Post by: Joe D on April 23, 2012, 07:20:51 PM

welcome to the forum

Joe
Title: Re: Just joined - Hello!
Post by: WPG on April 23, 2012, 09:24:54 PM
Welcome to the forum.

Some beekeepers treat their hive equipment with a soaking in a beeswax & rosin mixture or a paraffin & rosin mixture at 250F. They have no problem with the mixture separating between heats.

Many substances have overlapping temperature ranges where they are liquid at the same temperature and can be mixed. Not all are like oil & vinegar, but they also do not combine chemically to make a new substance.

The different grades of beeswax would simply be new cappings (pale yellow)wax or old brood box (dark brown) wax and wether it was completely clean or still had some debris left in it.

Goodluck, Dave
Title: Re: Just joined - Hello!
Post by: tefer2 on April 23, 2012, 09:39:48 PM
Welcome to the site.
Title: Re: Just joined - Hello!
Post by: specialkayme on April 24, 2012, 08:08:46 AM
Welcome to the site!
Title: Re: Just joined - Hello!
Post by: DebraM on April 24, 2012, 05:52:15 PM
Thanks for the replies and info!   :)

Title: Re: Just joined - Hello!
Post by: DebraM on April 26, 2012, 10:56:40 PM
Just ordered a 1 lb block of pure bees wax from HT Krantz Beekeeping Supplies.  Can't wait to get it to see how it works.  :)