Ian H

Thanks Gaynor, you're too kind. PM on it's way. Ian

Thanks for your help Topof... I'll keep looking for a LMP pillar blend. Candle supplies in the UK are a challenge to be sure. I'll not be getting any more of the 65C stuff, not the least it almost cost the equivalent of 4 US$ per pound. May be worth trying the mineral oil thing. However what is mineral oil? Is liquid paraffin oil this? If it inhibits the burn of the candle I'm not sure it's the way to go though. On your final point, I think I've seen the website you describe. No info of any help on the site TBH. Ian

I've done a search on UK available paraffin waxes and the only product that has a MP around 54C is a container blend. Ian

I'm thinking that NT wick may be worth a try. Ian

The MP is 65C (a bit high? My usual wax is 57 to 59C) This wax is a batch I got from Hobbycraft in the UK. I don't like it at all (well overpriced too). I found that straight it had frosted looking flaws showing and have added 25% container wax to it to give a clean effect. In mitigation I was using up some birthday vouchers. I won't be back there though. Ian

Sorry no flatwick. the sizes I've found go from 3X6 to 3X28. I don't know if this is the type that you advise, it does state that it's not suitable for scented candles though. Ian

I'm making 3" pillars ATM. The candles look spot on but I can't find the correct wick. BTW the candles are 100% paraffin with a minimum of colour (baby pink) and no FO. I am setting the candles with a bamboo stick to allow me to changes the wicks quickly. I started with LX26 which according to my chart should be good up to 3 1/2". I get a melt pool diameter of 2". Stepped up to LX30 ........No change. Tried stepping down to LX22...1" pool. Double wicked LX22 ..not a lot of change there. Then I tried ECO14.....Nope! Then 3X28C cotton core. Nope!!:embarasse I am about out of options now. All I want is a melt pool that will take it to within about 1/4" of the edge. Ian

This may be what you're looking for. http://www.candelights.co.uk/supplies/misc_supplies.html Ian

Hi Keith.................OK you've made me feel a little guilty. But in my defence I have never taken wax from you, and as this thread is about wax it would have been wrong of me to endorse your wax. However if anyone is looking for a truly awesome buttery vanilla FO I think that Keith's Luscious vanilla is possibly the best in the world. I'm ordering more soon. I'm pleased that you have made some progress on the FO development but not surprised you've hit a few snags, it's quite a complex area. Keep at it you will get there. Ian

The Wilco's bowls have a broad rim. Initially I formed a flattened pourer area, not easy, using a hammer and mole grips, sort of works. In reality as long as I pour quickly and evenly there is almost no dripping when I pour over the none modified rim into a pouring jug. Ian

I also use boiling water with a good squirt of washing up liquid. Fill to the top and let the wax float to the surface. Tip the wax layer out, give the container a good swirling, tip out the water and QUICKLY wipe with paper towels. Works for me but my wife queries the amount of funding for buying paper towels now. Ian

The problem with Pyrex is that it is glass. Glass is a poor conductor of heat and therefore the wax takes longer to melt than in metal. I bought 2 large stainless steel mixing bowls from Wilkinsons hardware for about £2 each. The bottom one filled with some water, the top with wax. Does the job well, that is until the equivalent of the Presto turkey fryer becomes available in the UK market.:rolleyes2 Ian

Hi there xx, I'm quite new to the wax melters society but being based in Yorkshire I've shopped around for my wax and things. Bare in mind that in the UK you will not find local sources with the range of options that those lucky people Stateside have. I get my wax and wicks etc. from http://www.4candles.co.uk/ . Their products are very good, delivery is cheap and fast, 2 working days. Check out their site, pillar blend paraffin is £11.45 for 5 kg. I mainly use a 50/50 mix of paraffin and soy+ for my container candles. Soy+ I find to be very good. I've just received a delivery of 5kg paraffin, 5kg Soy+ and 4 kg of container paraffin that I'm going to mix with the soy. I ordered other things also and the postage was £8.99. As to your question on gel wax, I'm certain that you can't mix it with other waxes. The dye you use should be the liquid type and if you add fragrance you must add one that is approved for gel wax. Having stated this I have never used gel wax..........YET. Keep it up and good melting. Ian

I use a blended paraffin wax and container soy+ wax. Bare in mind I'm in the UK and the affordable options on waxes and wicks is not the same as in the US. I've not come across a parasoy blend here. As to wicks I'm still working through my experimentation stages with the wicks available to me. I've more or less sorted my 100% paraffin pillars but not got there yet with any of the soy mixes, but I will. Ian

For containers I generally use a 50/50 mix of paraffin and soy+ wax. Ian

Here is a pic with the dimensions. I agree that due to it being wider in the middle wicking is an issue, that's the main reason that I posted. I estimate it will hold just over 1/2 lb of wax. Ian

I'm finally allowed to post pictures..................So here is the jar. Ian

It's never too late to respond Natasha, especially with a post as informative as yours. I agree entirely with your comments. I think there is some hope that the availability of quality FO's will improve in the UK. It will take time and I think that the successful suppliers will source within the UK for reasons you have stated. I find candle making quite therapeutic. I enjoy making them and also like the end product. It is a pastime that for me has the right challenge level without being too tedious. I am still very much in the learning stage but I'm pleased with my progress to date. BTW I live in Shipley, West Yorkshire. Ian

Thanks all for your responses. I don't think they sell Goo Gone in the UK. I have tried to prise them off with a knife,spoon, pliers etc. Some move, most don't. I went to our local DIY sore and bought a tube of silicone remover. Silly price = $15 but only needs a little drop and it does work. Ian

I've found that silicone is the best way of securing the wick tabs to my containers. However when I want to re-use them that's another matter. The only way that I've found that sort of works is to put the glasses on a hotplate . Eventually the silly stuff loses it's grip, this is normally at the point where it's smoking. Last time I did this after the stuff had released it's grip I put the glass on another hotplate that wasn't hot and the glass self destructed. I know that there is a silicone solvent and maybe this is the answer but has anyone a better idea. BTW I'd prefer not to dump the containers, just in case that is a suggestion. Ian

Out of the bag works better for me than out of the bottle. Firstly I'm pleased with my selection. I like the vanilla types less than the others, but that's just personal taste. The pomegranate is 'well in your face', and to me the strongest. Dreama feels the weakest. At the moment Butterfly hugs and orchid rain are the best. The trouble is that every time I sniff I change my mind. I'm using thin food bags and most of the fragrances are detectable without opening them. Next test is when my better? half gets home from work. The final test will be when I cast them in wax. Looking good.:grin2: Ian

Late breaking news My order from NG has arrived.:yay:5 days in transit............Not bad. I've dipped a cotton bud in each and put them in an id marked polyethylene bag and sat the bags over a radiator. I'm waiting for a delivery of wax ATM so I can't go into production yet. Ian

Cheers Keith. I can't think what your problem is there. I just press the enter key a couple of times and it gives a paragraph space without manually tagging it. On one of the threads I was involved in there was someone with a similar problem. I don't know if this was resolved though. Ian

Personally I think that they are ugly things. Also the ugliness is matched by the poor quality of the link candle. After only 3 weeks of melting wax that candle would have to be a reject for me. Ian

Put me down for some Clean Cotton Keith. Incidentally, will you be offering this range at the same prices as your current offer? BTW I notice you've reduced the price of your soy wax. Getting closer to me ordering a few kg's from you. Ian