Please be careful and use common sense when making your own screw lubricant, as the wax and solvent are flammable. Keep solvent & wax away from open flame.
With nothing to do in my shop we venture into the kitchen for a woodworking field trip. The key thing is to not make a mess in the kitchen and to clean everything up when you are done!
I make a soft beeswax cream by first melting beeswax in an improvised double boiler then, after removing the melted beeswax from the heat source, then adding a measured amount of naphtha. Pour this mixture into a suitable container and set aside to cool.Screws lubricated with beeswax screw lubricant drive much easier in hard woods. To use, simply press the point of your screw in the creamy wax!
Man has used beeswax for centuries. Woodworkers benefit in many ways from this natural substance. It is used to make fine furniture polish that is a staple for museums and furniture conservators. Beeswax is also helpful to lubricate and protect metal surfaces. Next time you pull out that finely tuned bench plane try a quick rub of beeswax on the sole. One of the oldest wood finishes is pure beeswax. Use it to lubricate sliding wood surfaces or ease driving screws in hard wood. Beeswax is an essential shop supply!
SOME INTERESTING BEESWAX INFORMATION
(internet sources)
Beeswax is produced when honeybees consume honey. It takes about 8 1/2 lbs of honey to produce one pound of beeswax.
Beeswax Fun Facts
• 10 flowers contain 1 drop of nectar
• 1 bee can carry 1 drop of nectar
• 10 drops of nectar yield 1 drop of honey
• 10 drops of honey equals 1 drop of wax
• 1000 flowers yield 1 drop of beeswax
Beeswax Technical Facts • Chemical formula: C15 H31 CO2 C30 H61
• Insoluable in water
• Density 0.95
• Becomes brittle below 18 C
• Becomes soft and pliable above 35 C to 40 C
• Melting point 65 C (149 F) highest melting point of any known wax
• Stable chemical makeup
• Essentially remains constant over time
• Usable wax has been found in ancient tombs
