Machinable Wax

[charper]

Looking for a cheap supplier of Machining Wax. I would like to find it in sheets, not blocks so I do not have to remelt. I thought I read in one of the posts here that as you remelt and form the wax you lose come of the machinability. I know there was also a recipe somewhere to make your own. OK experienced ones, what is your cheap solution for finding vs. making say 6" X 6" X 1/2" sheets of machineable wax?

[DR-Motion]

try this thread
cnc paternmaking and casting-machinable wax

[HayTay]

And this thread Machinable wax.

Note the link I provided in post #2

I hope this helps!

[charper]

That was what I was looking for.
Was I hallucinating when I read somewhere though that repeated remeltings affected the machineability? What do you suggest I do with the 2" cube blocks of blue wax that I inherited? Remelt? or figure out some small wierd shape project to use them up?

[HayTay]

Originally Posted by charper That was what I was looking for. Was I hallucinating when I read somewhere though that repeated remeltings affected the machineability? What do you suggest I do with the 2" cube blocks of blue wax that I inherited? Remelt? or figure out some small wierd shape project to use them up?

Here's a few links from what seems to be the Premiere Machinable Wax manufacturer/supplier, Freeman Manufacturing & Supply Co. Note the second link!

Machineable Wax

Machinable Wax Reclaiming Procedure

Check out Freeman's other nifty (but not necessarily inexpensive) products, too.

[charper]

I love you guys!
Thanks for helping a gal out! I have lots to try out tomorrow at school. Keep the ideas flowin

[charper]

Thank you for all the machineable wax links. I am in class right now making it, or at least trying to make it. The PE film is bought and cut the Parrafin wax was bought and broken up. Now to melt it. The instructions say not to use a double boiler. Can I use a crock pot? I have a rotational molding oven? How and in what do you suggest I melt this down in and with?????

[beone]

Hi,
I wrote the instructions on making the wax. the reason for no double boiler is temperature. You need to get up above boiling point to make the wax. after that it will melt with a double boiler. I guess you could yse oil instead of water. I make my wax in an old big tin can-cheap and can be disposed of when dirty. I use a cheap hotplate from Wal-mart.

[Geof]

Originally Posted by charper Thank you for all the machineable wax links. I am in class right now making it, or at least trying to make it. The PE film is bought and cut the Parrafin wax was bought and broken up. Now to melt it. The instructions say not to use a double boiler. Can I use a crock pot? I have a rotational molding oven? How and in what do you suggest I melt this down in and with?????

"I have a rotational molding oven". Do you have any rotational molds?

If I had this equipment and if it could go up to a high enough temperature I would be tempted to put the wax and film in the mold, stick it in the oven, bring it up to temperature and just leave it rotating for several hours. It would be important to have a tight seal around the mold joint so the molten wax did not leak but if that was the case it would sure beat standing and stirring a hot container of wax for several hours.

[charper]

Stuck that PE film in a pyrex from the chem department, took it to 400F, and it worked like a charm. Melted the parrafin in a crockpot, then mixed the two. I will try to machine on Monday. WIsh me luck.

[HayTay]

Originally Posted by charper Melted the parrafin in a crockpot, then mixed the two. I will try to machine on Monday. WIsh me luck.

The suspense is killing me... aaaaaaaaah!

And the results are?

What recipe or mix ratio did you finally decide on? Also what source did you use for the PE (soft drink bottles, PE sheet, sandwich bags, milk jugs, plastic wrap)??? Did you try adding any colorant to the mixture? Any PICs of the resultant block of potentially machineable wax?

I figured I'd ask since I was curious (and nobody else has, so far).

Thanks

[charper]

OK. HAven't been lucky. I teach 2 hour blocks, and just can't seem to get it done with the kids. I decided on PE from the blue underflooring at Home Depot. Parrafin..no problem, have a pearl Paint in town (my home away from home)
Measured everything out...but there is just too much damn PE to melt. Melted down only a fraction so far. Then...what do I mold it in. Can I just make one big wooden box? Or what? I have gummed out so many beakers from the Chem dept trying to do this

I think it might just be easier to buy the damn wax from Thompson although not as fun.

I'll take some pics of what I've got so far.