gls

On 2/13/2018 at 2:11 PM, TallTayl said:

You could probably harden the wax just enough with stearic or USA and those wicks might do the job very well. 

 

How much stearic  do you suggest to start testing with in the 464.   Or do you have a recommended line test % to try?  I have zero experience with stearic - I purchased some but not too sure where to begin the testing. 

They look good Trap!  In my very limited experience with this blend I also had the "dips".

What was your approx room temp when you poured them? If i remember correctly you keep your house temp on the cool side?

50 minutes ago, TallTayl said:

I'm considering pouring a concrete slab around the floor heating grids made for under tile. It has worked well under slate in the main bathroom.... But what a pain. There has t be an easier way.

That is why i decided to try the insulation boxes first.    I wanted something I could make with CHEAP material!  Also, I wanted a way to control the production setup.   I didn't want to continue disturbing the previous poured jars while pouring more and removing top cover.   The problem I found with a heating element type was being able to create different heat zones and the number of thermostats was getting costly.    I even started designing a water bath heating tank to address the problem but I wanted several small ones instead of one giant one and the costs were not justified.   The insulation box prototype I've made keeps the heat in so well I don't need an additional heat source and this eliminated lot of problems and cost.  

Like Flicker mentioned, I have had more success with maintaining higher temps on entire jar perimeter and not just the bottoms.  

I too work in a cold basement.  The environment is not that great for pouring candles but it does wonders in controlling my hot flashes.    

I also grow seeds in my basement using warming pads and grow lights.  I tried to use the warming pads for the candle operation and it was a fuster cluck.   I looked into building a warming bench with heating cable and/or heat lamps on pulley system, but they all had complications.  Currently I have been playing with pour boxes made from metal faced insulation board and they are working great.  I can heat the jars prior on the griddle or carefully use heat gun while they are in the boxes.   

I know you were just being helpful (as always) and not actually trying to sell us stuff!!   

The thing is...I have purchased several items from amazon based on information I have found on this forum and thought It would have been nice for some sales commis to come back here to help with O&M.   I don't see anything wrong with affiliate links as long as site owner is transparent about using them and links are not the focus of the site.  

Didn't mean to hijack this educational thread with revenue ideas...sorry...please remove my post if appropriate

Do you have an affiliate link for us to use if we purchase it thru your post?  IMHO, you might as well make money for the forum if possible.

On 5/5/2017 at 1:06 PM, Trappeur said:

I use 464....I don't add anything to mine except the UV.  

I am interested in adding UV to 464 container candles.   Is there a recommended amount to use (I can't find one)?   I am assuming it should be configured and weighed as a percentage of wax used?? 

Thanks in advanced for any help!!

True That!

I think it was her honesty that got me.  Most DIY videos try to say how easy it was no matter the outcome.

On 2/3/2018 at 3:31 PM, Trappeur said:

I have been eye balling Copper Coconut for a while now probably because I love the name.  Let us know what you think when you get.

 

And my " hate stash"???  I've never tried any of them!  lol.....but I hate em and they all smell alike to me.  I don't know WHAT I was thinking about when I bought these.....when I knew they just weren't for me... Probably just wanted to have things that nobody else did.  Well I sure do have them....(in my closet)

 

Here is what I have in the stash.  Anybody want some, you can have em!

Community:   Beach Bohemian

Candle Science:  Love Spell

CS:                         Mediterranean Fig

CS:                         Angel Type

CS:                         Oakmoss and Amber

CS:                         Juniper Breeze

CS:                         Black Sea  (sounded nice and erotic at the time...)

CS:                        Caribbean Teakwood (sounds like an upscale earthy scent)

CS:                         Montego Bay  (I bought because I liked the name....now how stupid was I ordering for a name? Huh?)

BC:                         Ocean Mist (Someone must have given me that...)

Flaming:               Blonde Moment (I must have had a blonde moment when I ordered this one that is for sure)

Flaming;               Black Ginger and Bamboo

Flaming:               Beachwood

Flaming:               Baja Cactus (now I did make some candles in this and they sold immediately at my Apple Orchard Account - maybe I better do more)

Flaming:               Dragons Blood

Flaming:               Caribbean Teakwood

Flaming:               Bathos

RE:                         Eucalyptis and Thyme

 

Maybe, just maybe if I put some of these in wax I just might like.....but...nah....

 

Trappeur

 

 

Hey Trap,  I have and like a lot of these.   I would be happy to send you some sample cups (464 & 4625 blend like I made in last swap) if you would like to test them in wax before giving up on them...just let me know and i will send them out. 

I am not experienced enough to judge OOB, so I try to make a few sample cups to at least try in wax with all of my FOs. It seems to work better for me than salt test only. 

If you need a break from candle making watch this video… it is hilarious!!  An experienced chandler or beginner can appreciate it!

Don’t be put off by the video title or the beginning few minutes – you gotta watch all of it...

https://youtu.be/opgJo6w1XrA

I so appreciate you two doing the testing and giving everyone your results!! It still amazes me how willing to share everyone is on this forum.  

If you have time, could you please expand on the reasons for the pan tests...does the diameter help with jar sizing...sorry sometimes i can be a bit slow .

Any suggestions on which type of wicks to start with? 

Thanks for the info - but it kinda makes me want to cry.  With the current issues with the soy wax and now the FO... I'm not sure I will ever learn to make a decent candle! 

Great info...thanks everyone!

On 10/11/2017 at 7:07 PM, ChristinaD said:

Just wanted to see if you guys have recommendations for where to purchase  clear candle labels. I have been looking at onlinelabels.com, but they don't have the exact size labels I need, they have a size that is workable but not "perfect." Looking for some a company with a large assortment of sizes.

I'm needing small labels,  2.5in X 2.5-3in and/or 2in by 2-3in.

 Also, recommendations for printing yourself vs having them printed? I'm assuming, since I'm just starting out, printing myself be the most cost effective. But just wanted to get some advice in case there is something I may be over looking. Thanks!! =) 

Were you able to find the clear stickers or any additional info on printing?

When is the cut off date for ordering the pound bottles? Sorry if it is stated somewhere & i’m overlooking it. I can’t make up my mind but don’t want to fool around and miss out on ordering😊.

On 10/10/2017 at 2:19 PM, Trappeur said:

I ordered a pound of it 3 days ago Birdcharm so should be here any day.

 

Hope it works as that is what I'm using.

 

Will let you know..

 

Trappeur

How did the fudge brownie turn out? Do you like WSP or did you find a better one??

Wow!!  swirls are so pretty...the top is gorgeous also!

4 minutes ago, Belinda said:

It's not my thang for sure LOL! There are a lot of people that use the lids of skoal cans to make the beaded fresheners with... I don't really want to encourage dipping (like anyone would have to encourage anyone to dip here in Texas LOL!) so I'll probably not make anymore like that. 

Wow, I have never heard of using those as air fresheners.  I would think the can lid would be a strong enough "smell" by itself.  My Ex was a baseball player and he always had cans of skoal everywhere...I hate that stuff...at least my boys were smart enough to skip that ugly habit!!

On 11/11/2017 at 8:33 PM, Belinda said:

I do have a little hand held drill that I've used for skoal can lids so that might work too.

 

Ok Belinda - curiosity is getting me- why are you drilling skoal can lids?  Is it a Texas thang?

@Moonstar I'm not really sure what is going on - it all depends on what type of business agreement was made between the companies.    

It is my understanding that Keystone purchased the manufacture codes and the remaining fragrance oil inventory from the closed Peak Candle Supplies.  Therefore, Keystone is selling original fragrances and not dupes.  IMHO it looks like Keystone is on the up & up…

Not sure what the new company "Peak Fragrance Company" is selling but based on the Colorado business site the new company is owned by former Peak Candle owner's spouse...I didn't use the original Peaks as a supplier and I certainly don't plan on supporting their new venture after the way they treated their  loyal customers when they abruptly closed!
 

Agreed!  Hopefully Keystone purchased exclusive rights to the codes.  I guess they didn't include a non-compete clause in the buy out.

Appears to be the wife/ex-wife??

I wanted to update this post in case anyone else is interested.  Using Gulf Canning Wax as suggested above,  a 60 par/40 soy turned out great!   

As always, thanks so much for the help!

10 hours ago, Trappeur said:

 

Well, the only good thing for me is being that I have a lot of cured waxes sitting in pots I can get these tins done today, let them harden up and test them tomorrow night.....

Trappeur

Out of curiosity - does this mean you only need to re-heat the wax to pour temp then pour in jar?