DalekSlayer

Thanks again for all of the replies. It's been really helpful!

Awesome Thank you, I think I will take your advice and start work with prefab wicks. I'm not to worried about frosting, if we do dye, I want to try just the faintest tinges of colors. We'll see, once we start playing around. With the holidays coming up we are going to spend the next month researching, reading, and picking up things here and there and work on getting our workspace in order. ​There is a ton on information here that will keep me busy I am trying to convince my wife to get some lab coats for when we finally get to do some testing lol. When we finally do test, I will likely work up some spreadsheet or table in word for testing results. Then make a 2nd one for QA testers (friends/family) to make notes on. I may work on these before we get to actual testing and ask for any input on them Thanks

Hello, Thank you all very much for all the suggestions and information! I hadn't come across the Presto Pot in my initial research. How is it? are there issues with the spigot cooling and getting clogged between pours? As a former smoker I am well aware of nose blindness, now that I have quit I smell all sorts of things I was oblivious to before. Ignoring strength of throw do you find that some scents mutate or change after exposed? I see that varying temps can affect an FO's throw but can it's affect it's strength/absorbency, but does it change how the smell compares from the bottle? We are definitely going to take all you suggestions and start out small, with 2 or 3 scents and work from a kit first. It seems to be the more financially responsible method (or so I am being reminded lol). I believe we are going to settle on the 464. I was a just wondering what was in that 2% additive. Is it like vybar, or something to promote throw, or prevent frosting? Because, candle making is a big trial and error process, is there a typical excel spreadsheet or word document that everyone uses to track information and changes or is that just DIY sort of thing? Like a checklist to give friends and family that agree to be testers. @franu61 - Thanks, Unfortunately that's fair bit north for me. I am actually closer to Cincinnati (about 30/35 min from there). It looks like thecandlemakersstore.com is the closest supplier to me. The wax prices seem to be extremely competitive so I will give them a shot as a wax supplier. I think Peak has more of what I am looking for out of a kit, with the pour pot, thermometer, etc. So we'll give them a look too. Only last question I promise lol. Wicks, is there a starting guide that helps hone in close to the right size, then just trial and error to dial in the final size. I putting together our own wicks, and buying the rope and metal separate. Thanks again

Hello, I recently stumbled upon these forums after a long exhuastive search through many defunct and likely well outdated others. My wife and I are interested in trying our hand in the candle/soap making hobby, with a possibility of turning it into a small business. I have done a fair bit of research so far and worst case, it becomes an addictive hobby that teaches our kids some additional life skills. We recently are redoing the basement into a craft/workshop zone, so I feel comfortable about the space needed to work with. I do have a few questions to help us get started. I would like to start out using soy wax, since it seems to be largely associated as a environmentally friendly product and looks to be readily available close by. We will be making container candles using tin containers around 4 to 6 oz sized. we would like to have good throw both hot and cold and the wax to accept dyes. As far as dyes go, its not the most important. As long as it accepts a slight tint that we and others can associate a color with a smell. My questions about soy are these. - 2% additives - I see this in some of the Soy blends out there. What exactly comprises the 2%. They don't seem to be transparent on that 2% in the package details. - Are there and soy wax manufacturers that obtain their soy from farms that are not using neonicotinoids? - I have looked at a few brands, EcoSoya and GW - These seem to be the ones mentioned the most. are there others I am missing? or is there preference that seems commonplace among the community here? I was leaning toward the 464 it seems to be available close by in Ohio. Our other questions are more about initial start up and additional knowledge. This forum is by far the best source of chandlery(is that right?) knowledge I have found so far. We have watched videos and read through many instructables. I understand that different environments and variables will affect each candle makers experience differently. In order to prepare ourselves against this I am hoping these questions will help. - Starting from nothing, is it worth getting a starter kit with the pour pot, thermometer, molds, tins... My experience has been starter kits are usually low quality tools at a cheap cost. We are not loaded by any means but I still would like to get decent tools. - Single Burners - Anyone tried these? Coils vs Flat? something like this to head the double boiler? http://www.walmart.com/ip/Oster-Single-Burner-Black/24183268 - Are there any recommended books and magazines for beginners and for keeping up with the Joneses? - Trade publications for info about waxes and oils? - Guilds. I saw there is a guild which allows sells insurance to chandlers. How many of you have insurance, or belong to a candle making organization? - Oh and suppliers. I am in west somewhat southwest Ohio. I have found one place in Hamilton which is reasonably close, about a 30 minute drive if I needed to. Are there other suppliers anyone can recommend for our section of the Midwest? some of the suppliers listed on the supplier list are no longer there and to be honest I got to the C's found one and gave up on the list lol. Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I look forward to and appreciate any responses.