wax slabs...

[MiddletownCandles]

hey...i am pretty new to serious candle-making, and I've never worked with slabs of wax before. What's the best way to break them up? Are there any techniques I should learn before trying to make my first batch? Thanks!

[topofmurrayhill]

Welcome to candlemaking!

Breaking up wax slabs is a frequent topic around here. Here's a previous thread on the subject that you may find helpful. http://www.candletech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41668

As far as technique is concerned, one good thing would be to click on the General Information button over on the left and read every word on making the type of candle you want to try. http://www.candletech.com/generalinfo.htm

Hope that helps you get started on your first project.

[SharonA]

If it's a hard wax, a hammer is the best solution for me. Plus, if you have some built up frustration, it's a great way to release it!!

[tootie04]

I stole hubby's hammer and chisle....he is still looking for them...:tiptoe: :tiptoe:

[larrycat]

I have "retired" hubby do it while I'm at work....then I don't have to listen to it! He uses a hammer.

[flcandles]

Well......If its votive or pillar wax a hammer is the way to go.

If its container wax its soft so i use a knife but becareful:tongue2:

[Ring of Fire]

I use a hammer but have heard of several on here that throw it down their apartment stairs. What ever works.

[Scented]

I use a hammer but have heard of several on here that throw it down their apartment stairs. What ever works.

Now that's a thought. Might have to do it with the neighbor at the bottom of the stairs lol.

I just use an ice pick. Poke the holes, watch the wax split and done with it.

[tammyc]

I buy it by the case. I hammer the top slab while the box is still closed. When I open it up the top and sometimes the second slab are ready to use. I keep my wax in the box it came in. As I work my way through it I just close the flaps to the box and hammer some more. When I get to the bottom I cover the last slab with a towel and hammer away. This keeps a slab or two at a time broke up and ready to use. Also hammering on a whole case is less noisey than hammering on a single slab. I do all this in my basement, that keeps he noise level down in the rest of the house. My son sleeps through it, so it can't be that bad.

I like the tote idea, but I buy 6 different types of waxes. They come in perfectly good cardboard boxes, so I don't need the extra expense. I have a set of shelves and keep all my boxes lined up on them. I can hammer away without lifting on them.

[Dipper]

I put them in a plastic garbage bag, then in the freezer for about 15 minutes. I can then drop them on the cement porch and they break up really nice.

[Candlebuddy]

I drop mine on my ceramic tile kitchen floor ... it helps to put it in the freezer first. I used to use a hammer, but that was just too much work for me.

[MiddletownCandles]

all great ideas...I have to say I liked the hammer best, I'm 3 weeks away from getting married and tensions are high, so that really helped!!

[Darbla]

Does freezing it for just 15 minutes really make that much of a difference in how easily it shatters? I'll try anything. What about freezing longer, like a couple of hours or overnight? I could do that on days I'm not pouring, and it should be back to room temperature by the time I do start work on more.

I also thought about having a candle burning next to me, heating up a knife blade, sticking the blade back in the flame ever so often to keep it hot, and see if that helps.

Darbla