My Beeswax / Olive Oil Mix

JACKlangrishe · December 24, 2016, 05:43 PM

Hey Everyone!!

I need some lube on hand for my next phase, so I prepared some beeswax and Olive Oil in a pyrex bowl and saucepan double boiler configuration. I opted against the microwave after reading some posts about exploding glass and flammable fumes from beeswax, even though I know the majority of people do this with a microwave without incident.

So, it turns out that beeswax weight in ounces are equal to its fluid ounce measurements, making it easy to measure your ratio. (at least, according to this: http://www.worldwidebeekeeping.com/f...hp?topic=567.0 )

So I did a 1:1 ratio, mixing two chopped up 1oz beeswax sticks with 2 fl oz of extra virgin olive oil and my results were very similar to the description here: http://www.humblebeeandme.com/a-quic...id-oil-ratios/

"...1:1—Equal parts beeswax and olive oil yielded a very hard mixture. I could not push through it with my finger, and it didn’t start to melt at all as I tried. I was able to scrape it up with my finger nail. When handled, it was quite tacky/sticky and hard, with terrible slip (it skidded) and a high melting point."

Here are my results:

fresh from the boiler:

cooling down:

..and this was the final product, removed like a waxy pancake and flipped into a tupperware. The bottom was still warm enough to be runny

Since I'm pretty confident from your input that there is no wrong way to do this, and it really comes down to preference, I think I'm going to further dilute this run to a 1:4 ratio. I was expecting a consistency a bit more like vaseline, which I can work with my fingers, and it would break down into an oil when handled. Let me know if that sounds too thin.

I'm thinking a mix that's too waxy would gunk up the works quick and be pretty hard to handle.. any truth to that?

BlackPowderBen · December 24, 2016, 05:54 PM

If it's to runny, add more beeswax, if to hard, add more oil. It's pretty much just personnel preference.

Beagle333 · December 24, 2016, 05:56 PM

I like mine the consistency of chapstick or any lip balm. Some want it as thin as vasoline or Vaporub. It's really your choice.
It's so easy to thin or thicken.... make 2 or 3 different small batches and when you test them you'll have your favorite recipe and can easily remix the others to suit.

JACKlangrishe · December 24, 2016, 05:57 PM

Great! I'll re-melt it late tonight when I get back and add 6 fl oz of oil.. that should make it 2oz : 8oz and will hopefully get me closer to that vaseline consistency I'm after.

JACKlangrishe · December 24, 2016, 06:00 PM

Also, dumb question but in an earlier attempt at a run I dripped some sweat into the mix while it was still liquid. Also, a few droplets found there way in from the heat being too high on the double boiler. I was able to scoop it out and saved the results, but it made me think.. if water were to get into the mix, could it theoretically get trapped in the lube? or would it be negligible?

I'm sure its a good idea to keep water out of the mix, but I'm thinking it would take a significant amount of water to actually make it to the firearm after all is said and done.

Hawg · December 24, 2016, 07:39 PM

The sweat wont amount to anything. Methinks you should wait till you're ready to shoot the thing to see what consistency you like.

JACKlangrishe · December 24, 2016, 08:25 PM

Good Point. Typical for me to put the carriage before the horse when learning something new. Lots to tweak, this could get addictive!

I'll need some lube so I'll stick with what i get now and I'll make some different variations later.

Beagle333 · December 25, 2016, 12:11 AM

Now if you're gonna use wads, you can get you a felt hat from the thrift store (that says 100% wool, no poly stuff) and a Harbor Freight punch and start making your own wads to soak with your newly made lube.

JACKlangrishe · December 25, 2016, 12:28 AM

Yes! That's what I was thinking! The stiffer lube would probably be great for soaking felt with. I bet a stiffer mix will scrape the fouling out better when making wads. The concepts are really starting to click!

foolzrushn · December 25, 2016, 02:18 AM

Like Beagle I like the Chapstick consistancy. But I think the lubed wads are a bit messy. So I skip the wad soaking...use a dry wad...and then scrape a fingernail size dab of lube into the chamber on top of the wad, then load the ball.

Don't know that it's better, just don't need to dig around in the lubed wads to separate one from the herd. Only need to wipe one fingertip on a rag to keep the lube from getting all over the gun. Seems to be enough to keep things moving.

I have mutton tallow from Durofelt in my lube. I really didn't experiment ( maybe missed some fun?) , I just followed Gatofeo's recipe and was happy with the results.

Harbor Fright has some hex drive punches that I use with a drill to cut wads..but I think I already mentioned that in one of your threads.

Whoops...there went Santa Claus....in a red Mercedes???

JACKlangrishe · December 25, 2016, 10:35 PM

Thanks foolz!! That tip will save me a lots of time.. definitely going to try that.

Got the consistency I'm after by scraping off a tablespoon of mix, mixing with another tablespoon and a half of oil, and nuking in the microwave for two 30 second increments. Couldn't be easier! Took no time at all.

Beagle333 · December 25, 2016, 11:04 PM

'Never tried nuking it. I make mine in a double boiler which is a one quart bean can sitting in a regular boiler.

Hawg · December 26, 2016, 12:43 AM

I lube my wads with olive oil and let them dry. Not messy at all.

BlackPowderBen · December 26, 2016, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Harbor Fright has some hex drive punches that I use with a drill to cut wads.

I don't want to hijack the thread, but Foolzrushn, could you leave a link to the harbor freight hex drive punches? I went on their site but couldn't find much.
Thank you!

foolzrushn · December 26, 2016, 04:39 PM

Ben...The Harbor punches..

http://www.harborfreight.com/6-piece...set-67030.html

Hawg...I didn't think that olive oil ever dried out.

Someone else on here was using a dab of lube over the wad and under the ball. I tried it and it works for me so I stayed with it.

BlackPowderBen · December 26, 2016, 06:44 PM

Thank you sir, I'll get myself a set

Hawg · December 26, 2016, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Hawg...I didn't think that olive oil ever dried out.

It may not dry out per se but it soaks up enough it dries to the touch.

foolzrushn · December 26, 2016, 11:21 PM

After I got mine, I modified the size that was closest to what I wanted. I used a Dremel and abrasive stone to open the ID slightly. I also resharpened the outside bevel on the cutting end of the punch. It doesn't need to be perfect, the wad is going to compress slightly when you use it.

Edit: If you mount the drill in a vise or something, with the punch to be worked chucked up and turning, then you can slowly use the Dremel and stone bit. This will keep things fairly round. Poor man's lathe.....

Hawg (or anyone) - Have you had olive oil soaked wads go rancid? I bought some oil for lubing and such, but then got some Balistol. But I haven't used either yet.

BlackPowderBen · December 27, 2016, 12:16 AM

Quote:

After I got mine, I modified the size that was closest to what I wanted. I used a Dremel and abrasive stone to open the ID slightly. I also resharpened the outside bevel on the cutting end of the punch. It doesn't need to be perfect, the wad is going to compress slightly when you use it.

Thanks for this info, I was wondering how I would open it enough to the right size.

Hellgate · December 27, 2016, 08:06 PM

To help the punches work better I hog out the top of the hollow so the wads come up more readily from the bottom and don't hang up. I make the exit for the wads smoother.
Also I make a warm/hot weather lube of 50/50 BW & OO (olive oil) and leave it be or color it with a short chunk of red crayon to dye it red/pink. For cooler/cold weather I used a 1:2 BW/OO mix and tossed in a bit of a blue crayon for the cold weather indicator. The problem was when we'd have a cool, crispy AM and a hot PM. I'd have to use both. Now I pretty much just use the under ball wad with the 50/50 BW/OO mix in felt (SAE F-1) or fiber wads (Circle Fly from Track of the Wolf [lube and split 1/2" wads]).

Hawg · December 27, 2016, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Hawg (or anyone) - Have you had olive oil soaked wads go rancid?

I've got some in a ziplock baggie I misplaced a few years ago and recently found and they smell a little musky but not bad at all.

BlackPowderBen · December 27, 2016, 10:10 PM

Got a set of drill press mounted punches from HB and put one in a hand drill, worked fairly well, I'm going to sharpen them so they cut the felt easier, and try them in the drill press as well.

December 24, 2016, 05:43 PM	#1
JACKlangrishe Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2016 Posts: 114	My Beeswax / Olive Oil Mix Hey Everyone!! I need some lube on hand for my next phase, so I prepared some beeswax and Olive Oil in a pyrex bowl and saucepan double boiler configuration. I opted against the microwave after reading some posts about exploding glass and flammable fumes from beeswax, even though I know the majority of people do this with a microwave without incident. So, it turns out that beeswax weight in ounces are equal to its fluid ounce measurements, making it easy to measure your ratio. (at least, according to this: http://www.worldwidebeekeeping.com/f...hp?topic=567.0 ) So I did a 1:1 ratio, mixing two chopped up 1oz beeswax sticks with 2 fl oz of extra virgin olive oil and my results were very similar to the description here: http://www.humblebeeandme.com/a-quic...id-oil-ratios/ "...1:1—Equal parts beeswax and olive oil yielded a very hard mixture. I could not push through it with my finger, and it didn’t start to melt at all as I tried. I was able to scrape it up with my finger nail. When handled, it was quite tacky/sticky and hard, with terrible slip (it skidded) and a high melting point." Here are my results: fresh from the boiler: cooling down: ..and this was the final product, removed like a waxy pancake and flipped into a tupperware. The bottom was still warm enough to be runny Since I'm pretty confident from your input that there is no wrong way to do this, and it really comes down to preference, I think I'm going to further dilute this run to a 1:4 ratio. I was expecting a consistency a bit more like vaseline, which I can work with my fingers, and it would break down into an oil when handled. Let me know if that sounds too thin. I'm thinking a mix that's too waxy would gunk up the works quick and be pretty hard to handle.. any truth to that?

December 24, 2016, 05:54 PM	#2
BlackPowderBen Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2015 Posts: 380	If it's to runny, add more beeswax, if to hard, add more oil. It's pretty much just personnel preference. __________________ "If you have to shoot, shoot! Dont talk"

December 24, 2016, 05:56 PM	#3
Beagle333 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2012 Location: Auburn, AL. Posts: 2,332	I like mine the consistency of chapstick or any lip balm. Some want it as thin as vasoline or Vaporub. It's really your choice. It's so easy to thin or thicken.... make 2 or 3 different small batches and when you test them you'll have your favorite recipe and can easily remix the others to suit. __________________ . . . Have a Colt and a smile.

December 25, 2016, 12:11 AM	#8
Beagle333 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2012 Location: Auburn, AL. Posts: 2,332	Now if you're gonna use wads, you can get you a felt hat from the thrift store (that says 100% wool, no poly stuff) and a Harbor Freight punch and start making your own wads to soak with your newly made lube. __________________ . . . Have a Colt and a smile.

December 25, 2016, 02:18 AM	#10
foolzrushn Senior Member Join Date: April 29, 2015 Location: middle of the Santa Fe Trail Posts: 396	Like Beagle I like the Chapstick consistancy. But I think the lubed wads are a bit messy. So I skip the wad soaking...use a dry wad...and then scrape a fingernail size dab of lube into the chamber on top of the wad, then load the ball. Don't know that it's better, just don't need to dig around in the lubed wads to separate one from the herd. Only need to wipe one fingertip on a rag to keep the lube from getting all over the gun. Seems to be enough to keep things moving. I have mutton tallow from Durofelt in my lube. I really didn't experiment ( maybe missed some fun?) , I just followed Gatofeo's recipe and was happy with the results. Harbor Fright has some hex drive punches that I use with a drill to cut wads..but I think I already mentioned that in one of your threads. Whoops...there went Santa Claus....in a red Mercedes??? __________________ If you feel that you're pretty important...you should think about your significance to the Universe....and re-evaluate ! certified 'soap welder' Last edited by foolzrushn; December 25, 2016 at 02:25 AM.

December 24, 2016, 05:57 PM	#4
JACKlangrishe Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2016 Posts: 114	Great! I'll re-melt it late tonight when I get back and add 6 fl oz of oil.. that should make it 2oz : 8oz and will hopefully get me closer to that vaseline consistency I'm after.

December 24, 2016, 06:00 PM	#5
JACKlangrishe Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2016 Posts: 114	Also, dumb question but in an earlier attempt at a run I dripped some sweat into the mix while it was still liquid. Also, a few droplets found there way in from the heat being too high on the double boiler. I was able to scoop it out and saved the results, but it made me think.. if water were to get into the mix, could it theoretically get trapped in the lube? or would it be negligible? I'm sure its a good idea to keep water out of the mix, but I'm thinking it would take a significant amount of water to actually make it to the firearm after all is said and done.

December 24, 2016, 07:39 PM	#6
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,380	The sweat wont amount to anything. Methinks you should wait till you're ready to shoot the thing to see what consistency you like.

December 24, 2016, 08:25 PM	#7
JACKlangrishe Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2016 Posts: 114	Good Point. Typical for me to put the carriage before the horse when learning something new. Lots to tweak, this could get addictive! I'll need some lube so I'll stick with what i get now and I'll make some different variations later.

December 25, 2016, 12:28 AM	#9
JACKlangrishe Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2016 Posts: 114	Yes! That's what I was thinking! The stiffer lube would probably be great for soaking felt with. I bet a stiffer mix will scrape the fouling out better when making wads. The concepts are really starting to click!

December 25, 2016, 10:35 PM	#11
JACKlangrishe Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2016 Posts: 114	Thanks foolz!! That tip will save me a lots of time.. definitely going to try that. Got the consistency I'm after by scraping off a tablespoon of mix, mixing with another tablespoon and a half of oil, and nuking in the microwave for two 30 second increments. Couldn't be easier! Took no time at all.

December 25, 2016, 11:04 PM	#12
Beagle333 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2012 Location: Auburn, AL. Posts: 2,332	'Never tried nuking it. I make mine in a double boiler which is a one quart bean can sitting in a regular boiler. __________________ . . . Have a Colt and a smile.

December 26, 2016, 12:43 AM	#13
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,380	I lube my wads with olive oil and let them dry. Not messy at all.

December 26, 2016, 04:39 PM	#15
foolzrushn Senior Member Join Date: April 29, 2015 Location: middle of the Santa Fe Trail Posts: 396	Ben...The Harbor punches.. http://www.harborfreight.com/6-piece...set-67030.html Hawg...I didn't think that olive oil ever dried out. Someone else on here was using a dab of lube over the wad and under the ball. I tried it and it works for me so I stayed with it. __________________ If you feel that you're pretty important...you should think about your significance to the Universe....and re-evaluate ! certified 'soap welder'

December 26, 2016, 06:44 PM	#16
BlackPowderBen Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2015 Posts: 380	Thank you sir, I'll get myself a set __________________ "If you have to shoot, shoot! Dont talk"

December 26, 2016, 11:21 PM	#18
foolzrushn Senior Member Join Date: April 29, 2015 Location: middle of the Santa Fe Trail Posts: 396	Ben After I got mine, I modified the size that was closest to what I wanted. I used a Dremel and abrasive stone to open the ID slightly. I also resharpened the outside bevel on the cutting end of the punch. It doesn't need to be perfect, the wad is going to compress slightly when you use it. Edit: If you mount the drill in a vise or something, with the punch to be worked chucked up and turning, then you can slowly use the Dremel and stone bit. This will keep things fairly round. Poor man's lathe..... Hawg (or anyone) - Have you had olive oil soaked wads go rancid? I bought some oil for lubing and such, but then got some Balistol. But I haven't used either yet. __________________ If you feel that you're pretty important...you should think about your significance to the Universe....and re-evaluate ! certified 'soap welder' Last edited by foolzrushn; December 27, 2016 at 10:07 AM.

December 27, 2016, 08:06 PM	#20
Hellgate Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2010 Location: Orygun Posts: 881	To help the punches work better I hog out the top of the hollow so the wads come up more readily from the bottom and don't hang up. I make the exit for the wads smoother. Also I make a warm/hot weather lube of 50/50 BW & OO (olive oil) and leave it be or color it with a short chunk of red crayon to dye it red/pink. For cooler/cold weather I used a 1:2 BW/OO mix and tossed in a bit of a blue crayon for the cold weather indicator. The problem was when we'd have a cool, crispy AM and a hot PM. I'd have to use both. Now I pretty much just use the under ball wad with the 50/50 BW/OO mix in felt (SAE F-1) or fiber wads (Circle Fly from Track of the Wolf [lube and split 1/2" wads]). __________________ With over 15 perCUSSIN' revolvers, I've been called the Imelda Marcos of cap & ball. SASS#3302 (Life), SASS Regulator, NRA (Life), Dirty Gamey Bastards #129 Wolverton Mtn. Peacekeepers (WA), former Orygun Cowboy (Ranger, Posse from Hell) Last edited by Hellgate; December 27, 2016 at 09:19 PM.

December 27, 2016, 10:10 PM	#22
BlackPowderBen Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2015 Posts: 380	Got a set of drill press mounted punches from HB and put one in a hand drill, worked fairly well, I'm going to sharpen them so they cut the felt easier, and try them in the drill press as well. __________________ "If you have to shoot, shoot! Dont talk"