DaisyFairy

I am not sure with that wax. I use the 8 oz. square mason but I use igi 6006 and also have an soy/paraffin blend. I use CD wicks .. generally use a cd8 or a cd10.. depending on the FO... some scents have to be wicked up a bit. I know there are people out there who use the harmony blend wax.. so maybe they will pipe in and let you know how it wicks. I have read about that wax and plan on testing it and the comfort blend as well.. The people who sell it recommend the htp wicks. Judging by the size of the container I would think a good place to start testing would be either htp83 or 93 or in the cd's a cd8 or cd10. HTH a little anyway. DaisyFairy

Trish I love your signature! lol!!!! hubby is a computer programer/tech.. so that really hits home! I think I used the wrong term in last post... my molds don't have plugs so to speak.. it is like a rubber ring with a hole in the center and the pin goes in that... so the rubber ring keeps it from leaking... if that makes sense. But you have to drill out the predrilled hole a little bigger to allow the rubber ring to fit. I have only found those so far at taylored concepts ... they call them plug pins.... but I am sure someone else somewhere does them the same way. DaisyFairy

I am not sure where you live.. but I buy my molds from either taylored concepts out of dallas or candles and supplies out of pennsylvania. The taylored molds come predrilled with a wick plug assembly.. they have a pin with a rubber insert to stop leaking so no need to use mold sealer. I love this. The candles and supplies are also predrilled but no pin/plug assembly.. so i ordered the plug assemblies from taylored and drilled out the hole a little bigger to let it fit..(they will give you instructions how to do this if you need to). I have not used anything but aluminum in my pillar molds.. so I am not sure about the others.. but I am very happy with the aluminum. But my votive molds are metal and I have had no problem with them either. I really love my seamless aluminum molds and I like the wick plug assembly very much! Never leaks and dont have to worry about sealing the molds. I am sure others who have been making pillars much longer than me will chime in HTH! DaisyFairy

lol... I have done that exact thing Dustpuuppy! ... its a horrible sound! LOL! DaisyFairy

actually the email I posted at the beginning was the entire email... so it is hard to tell if they were talking about a specific type of candle. the way it is stated it would be taken to mean any or all candles. daisyfairy

not sure where you are located... candles and supplies in Pa. has these http://shop.candlesandsupplies.com/candles/category.asp?catalog%5Fname=Candles&category%5Fname=Votive+Size&Page=1 taylored concepts in dallas has these http://www.tayloredconcepts.com/Small%20Votive%20Container.htm Bitter creek also has them... HTH daisyfairy

well, he thanked me for the info not to.. he said he thought that sounded wrong to him.. but he just thought it wouldn't work, not that they would crack. I guess there will be lots of broken candles if this is going around. daisy fairy

I got this email from a non-candlemaking friend of mine... >>> If you want drip-free, long-burning candles, put them in >>> the freezer overnight before burning them. Also, If you >>> keep your candles in the freezer they will last longer >>> and drip less. he got it from someone else.... I know I have put candles in the freezer for short times to get them to release from molds and once I forgot about a small one.. lol... and so it cracked. I told him not to do this... they would crack. but that if he wanted to cool them in there for a few mins. before burning that would make them last longer only because it is so cold it will burn slower. but not to store them there... was I wrong? daisyfairy

yes.. that is what I am thinking.. I am using a special blend my supplier has made just for them.. called robnat 1230.. they have a pillar blend and a container blend. It holds up to 10% they say.. I have successfully made 8% pillars out of it in my last batch of wax over and over using these same scents so I know the oils are ok. I think there may have just been a mix up.. although the ten pound bag I got was labeled correctly.. so I don't know... my other tests are done now and still not released from mold and so I am gonna have to fight to get them out. really not much difference in the top crystal structure of the one under the box and the air cooled one. they have about the same look on top as they did before so I doubt it is going to work. the last 10 pound bag I had was awesome and made wonderful candles.. very easy to use and they literally fell out of the molds. I will just call them tomorrow and possibly just get a new bag sent to me. daisyfairy

oh, I am sorry.. I thought I included that. I poured at 195 (per supplier instructions) I have made many many tests now and done this so far PT-195 8% scent air cool 1 1/2 tbsp stearic/lb. very little pattern , stuck in mold PT-195 6% scent air cool 1 1/2 tbsp stearic/lb. no pattern, hard de-mold PT-195 0 scent air cool 0 stearic/lb. no pattern, hard de-mold PT-195 0 scent air cool 1 1/2 tbsp stearic/lb. very little pattern , hard de-mold PT-195 6% scent air cool 2 tbsp stearic/lb. no pattern , very hard de-mold am waiting on these two tests.. but looking the same: PT-185 8% scent air cool 1 1/2 tbsp stearic/lb. PT-195 8% scent cooling under box to slow, 1 1/2 tbsp stearic/lb. I will wait and see.. but so far these are not pulling away from the mold the crystal structure on the top (bottom) of candle is there but the others had some there too.. and it is too soon to tell... so I will see I am beginning to think I was sent palm container instead of palm pillar/votive... my supplier is closed today and I am going to call them. I will be happy to try something else though if you have any suggestions. I am open to anything at this point haha.. thanks DaisyFairy

oh, I completely agree... too much is always better! I always have a bit too much and I like it that way... and It is not really a problem.. I can use it to make a couple of votives.. I was just worried about my math and after going over it and over it I just didn't get it... haha thought you guys could help and I think Satinducky hit it on the head. DUH! I was forgetting about the weight of the FO. I hate when I get cranial rectitis! lol DaisyFairy

thank you.. that is what I am thinking.. I have ran tests again today... pouring cooler (185), pouring same and cooling under a box, and added a little more stearic (had already tried no stearic and less). more stearic killed the effect completely, am still waiting on the other two to cool.. This is the second batch of this wax I have used and like you the other batch just fell out of the mold and were beautiful and very easy to make and use.. 8% scent not a problem. So I am tending to think now it is the wax. my supplier is closed till tomorrow and so I will call tomorrow and see if they can help. thank you so much for all your help guys! DaisyFairy

No I didn't add in the weight of the FO... I bet that was where it came from... sorry Top... didn't give all the details. ... was a multi 3 x 3 inch pillar batch... so a little extra here and a little extra there added up I guess... daisyfairy

ok, I will try that too. thanks. I always preheat my molds and pour pot in the oven and use presto pot to melt wax. I preheat the pour pot to try to prevent rapid temperature dipping.. but I will cover them with a towel or box and give that a try.. can't hurt and I am willing to try anything. thank you DaisyFairy

Yes I always used stearic with it ... when I bought the first bag they told me to use stearic with it and gave an instructional sheet with it that said to use 1 1/2 tbsp per pound. The first batch (bag) I bought I used the same amount of stearic.. same temps.. everything and they came out perfect. ??? they are still closed tomorrow.. so will be tuesday till I can call.. so i figured I will try one last time.. pouring at 185 instead.. just to see if crystals form.. since that is the temp they say to pour the container palm at. I dunno... daisyfairy

yeah.. that is prolly what I will do.. but I am gonna do this one last test first.. just to see. I've gone to far to turn back now. lol! thanks for all the help daisyfairy

well, I am just air cooling.. in the kitchen where I make them.. but the temp in the room is around 75-76 degrees.. same as it always is, and I have never had a problem with any previous batches. I did a test with 5% stearic by weight and the supplier recommended 1 1/2 Tbsp. per pound and one without stearic at all... same results on all of them. I have tried no scent and then two different scents. I dunno... I am gonna test more tomorrow... I will try pouring cooler to test to see if they accidently sent me the container palm. if there is a difference that way. Their container palm says to pour at 185 and the pillar says to pour at 195.. so I will see what that does. I know they have always worked very well before the way I am doing it now. I haven't changed anything.. even started completely over once in case I had a brain hiccup and did something wrong.. still the same. This is my second batch of palm wax to go through.. the first worked beautifully and was a very easy wax to use.... with wonderful throw. actually tried one with a lower percentage of scent and got pretty much the same results. no crystals.. no release... Daisy Fairy

Thanks for the advice satinducky.. I thought about which forum after I had posted and did a head slap. lol! So I posted it in the vegetable wax forum earlier this after noon also.... still no responses there yet.. but still waiting. I guess more people will see it though ... sorry bout that.. This is the only natural wax candle I make.. so I am used to posting in here. haha. daisy fairy

Sorry for the delay.. I was trying to figure this all out.. for an order I have coming up.. and so I only slept two hours last night.. then got up and started testing again.. so I took a nap a bit ago.. about another 2 hours. I have since called the person and told them the order would have to be delayed .. I really hate that.. I have used this wax a lot and never had a problem. .. In reply... lol... The supplier instructed to add 5% stearic to the palm votive pillar blend. however his written sheet says 1 and 1/2 tablespoons per pound. he didn't really say why.. I am assuming now that it is for mold release... but it could be also to raise the melt temp of the wax... they sell two palm waxes, one for container and one for votive/pillar. Both have the same mp and both have the same flash point but you are instrusted to use stearic with the votive pillar blend. So I was thinking maybe it was the same wax and the stearic was to change the mp..and help with release in mold? I know you can add stearic to a low melt point votive parriffin wax and raise the melt point enough to use it for pillars... so that may be part of it also I am still fighting. haha ... I started a test with a votive (single) no additives whatsoever.. and ... the results are no crystal structure... same pour temp, same room temp, preheated mold... did get it out of the mold though.. I am now starting a votive test with 5% by weight stearic.. (which would be more than 1 1/2 TBSP per lb)... to see what that does. I am glad to know it doesn't seem like I am doing anything stupid or anything... and this IS coincidentally a new 10 pound bag of palm wax.. just received last friday. .. the other bag did not do this. ???? so maybe it is a mix up. I think this will be my last test till I call the supplier unless any of you know anything I can try..... I am starting to get frustrated and angry.. and just wasting too much wax. haha but if any of you can think of something.. I will be glad to give it a try. DaisyFairy

I have made palm pillars a hundred times before and had absolutely no problem with them. the literally fall out of the mold..and have a wonderful crystal structure. now.. they will not demold.. no matter what... freezer.. fridge... nothing. they have no crystal structure. I did everything exactly the same, brought temp up to 195 added stearic at 1 1/2 Tablespoons per lb, added scent, added dye, preheated molds, used mold release, poured. three tests now and all the same. oh, I did use 8% scent.. can hold up to 10 it says... so I lowered that to 6 % on one test and still didn't crystalize or release. and just for info.. my room temperature is 76 degrees. I am using robnat 1230 pillar blend. any suggestions.. or tips I can try would be heaven sent. thanks and Merry Christmas! daisy fairy

I have made palm pillars a hundred times before and had absolutely no problem with them. the literally fall out of the mold..and have a wonderful crystal structure. now.. they will not demold.. no matter what... freezer.. fridge... nothing. they have no crystal structure. I did everything exactly the same, brought temp up to 195 added stearic at 1 1/2 Tablespoons per lb, added scent, added dye, preheated molds, used mold release, poured. three tests now and all the same. oh, I did use 8% scent.. can hold up to 10 it says... so I lowered that to 6 % on one test and still didn't crystalize or release. and just for info.. my room temperature is 76 degrees. any suggestions.. or tips I can try would be heaven sent. thanks and Merry Christmas! daisy fairy

thank you both for your advice. I have done another batch since and had quite a bit left this time too..but not as much so It may have been a tare wt. thing. but I will try what satin ducky said too.. just to see. thanks guys! daisy fairy

thanks for the help.. actually the demolding and shrinking is not really a problem. The problem is I am winding up with leftover wax and I don't want to waste it or have to save it up for future batches... my wax amount calculations seem to be off.. but for a 3x3 pillar the calculator comes up with 12 0z. or .72 lbs. I based my calculations on .72 lbs and wound up with 5 oz. of wax left over after the completed candles were made. I had a thought that maybe my scale was off.. so I checked it with a 2 lb. weight. and got 2 lbs. .7 oz. which is over weighing if it is off and should have made me come up short rather than having too much wax right? I dunno.. I think I will just have to compensate future batches based on the weight of wax used on this one. I weighed the completed candle and one candle weighs 12.2 ounces.. so it is approx. the right weight.. based on the calculator. I know the wax uses 5% stearic and that will give a little extra.. but only amounted to 1.1 ounces of stearic. Daisyfairy

this is the right board for this question.. if not, my appologies. I have robnat 1230 palm wax from taylored. it has a crystal like finish. I have made some 3" pillars out of it and I notice it has very little shrinkage. I poke the releif holes just like normal.. I calculated the wax needed for the mold just like normal. I came out with the same amount as the calculator on the handy calculator page. When I make the candles 3" x 3" pillars I end up with 5 ounces of extra wax. I poke the relief holes more than once.. usually 3 times during the cooling process..but there is no cavity at the end of the cooling process.. only the holes I poked and a very small shrinkage lip at the top... so I wind up with all this extra wax. So I was worried I did something wrong... and there may be hollow spots.. I have burned one more than half-way down and still burning...so far so good... no disappearing melt pool.. good throw good burn.. so I am at a loss I will keep testing .. but, I was just wondering.. if anyone else noticed a difference in the wax amount used... maybe it just shrinks less and takes less wax than regular pillar wax. any help would be appreciated GREATLY! lol. Daisy Fairy

Oh thank you all so much for the info! I will try out both and see..I really like using the cd wicks.. I have gotten better throw with them in almost everything The curling bugs me sometimes.. but I hate the mushrooms of the zincs. so I guess it is Test.. test... test..test.. haha.. Oh well, at least my house smells good. lol! thanks again daisyfairy