crazycacti Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 So I have been dying to make some tartsI have two types of wax that was going to use a 70/30 blend and get to workProblem: Wax in large blocksLooking for a simple solution to a probably simple problem that is beyond my grasp at momentDo not own fancy tools-how would one go about breaking off pieces?I have a tiny saw-for jewelry/silversmithing and tried to saw it before but blades so flimsy it breaks!!!TIA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mizbizzyb Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 I take them and put them in a super strong hefty trash bag and throw them on the floor in the storage room - it is concrete...This breaks them up - I keep throwing - slamming them until I get a few good size pieces and then weigh them for the ratio I use and put in the presto.Weigh the wax you want for the 70 to be first. Mine vary each batch since each piece is going to vary. However I just use my prestos to melt.Then do the math to figure out how much you need for the 30%.So if you weigh 3 lbs of the 70% then your 30% will be approx 1.2857.I usually tweek mine a bit so it is rounded up more by adding to the 70 and doing the calculations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fern Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 I use a flathead screwdriver and hammer to break up mine. I use the screwdriver like a chisel. It works great. I can break up a slab of wax into manageable sizes in about 10 minutes. I've tried the dropping it on the concrete thing but my bag always ended up ripping, plus it didn't break into small enough pieces. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jane42 Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 In bad weather, we use the chisel/hammer method - in good weather, we get all our frustrations out by bagging them and throwing them around!! lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darbla Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 I freeze mine overnight, and they break up easier the next day. I've read in another post on here that 15 minutes is enough, though I haven't tried it for that short a time.Darbla Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Late Night Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 I couldn't get mine in my freezer so I take a hammer and large screwdriver to mine too. One hint though, don't do it on your counter top unless you want it to looked antiqued with depress marks in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artcwolf Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 hammer and screw driver. small loaf backing pan under one sheet and a rubber mallet...depends on how mad i am at work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana Mae Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 Sounds very theraputic!! Dana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artcwolf Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 Sounds very theraputic!! Danauuuhhh very, my daughter on the other hand complains at the banging so i asked if she would rather me yell at her because i'm mad at something else or beat on the wax. She responded "beat up the mean ol wax daddy" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doris Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 Chisel, mallet, put the wax in a box (to catch the pieces) and whack away. I just got some beeswax in 20 lb chunks, and decided I would try the drop it on concrete bit. I even froze it first, and put it in 3 heavy plastic bags. Well it bounced, and tore through all 3 bags on one corner. I must have looked a treat hurling beeswax off the back entrance to our shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
izzy2 Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 The last time I put the wax in a clean pillowcase and threw on the cement floor a few times. Worked like a charm. P.S. I marked the kind of wax on the inside tag of the pillowcase so I knew what wax was in there. That way I will use the same pillowcase next time and so I don't mix any other wax with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdieluvr76 Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 Pillow case method here too. I lean it up against something at an angle, and whack it right in the middle. Breaks it up into manageable chunks that fit in my presto.The neighbors though I was crazy when I would go out and throw it on the ground Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billie Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 I put a slab of wax in a plastic container and wack it with a hammer. The first slab is the hardest because it is laying flat. All the others slabs are easy and and I do them one at a time until all broken up, then keep covered with the lid. What ever works for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazycacti Posted November 30, 2007 Author Share Posted November 30, 2007 Thanks!!All sounds so easy AND therapeutic!Don't think BF appreciates that the two bags of wax have been ocupying the corner of my counter for a few weeks while i pondered!!that and the fact i work a nd go to school-my brain can only handle so much!now to find the hammer and screw driveror pillow case!!hmmmmmmmmmmmmHappy weekend!!maybe i will have tarts when this is all over!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artcwolf Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CareBear Posted December 1, 2007 Share Posted December 1, 2007 I'm enjoying picturing the beeswax bounce... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jane42 Posted December 1, 2007 Share Posted December 1, 2007 Chisel, mallet, put the wax in a box (to catch the pieces) and whack away. I just got some beeswax in 20 lb chunks, and decided I would try the drop it on concrete bit. I even froze it first, and put it in 3 heavy plastic bags. Well it bounced, and tore through all 3 bags on one corner. I must have looked a treat hurling beeswax off the back entrance to our shop.Definitely put it in something when chopping...those pieces FLY!!! lolWe have a large Rubbermaid container that I put one slab in at a time - break one up, put the next slab in and use the first one to "break" it on, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimmeroo Posted December 1, 2007 Share Posted December 1, 2007 I just leave in original box and use a large hammer(my brother made me) and whack the top of the slab..then it breaks. when I am done using that on to the next slab...I just leave it in the same box it came in...It has all the info. already on it! HTH! Kimmeroo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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