Katy has made a big batch of soft wax this week – 63 tins that are ready to ship immediately. Click here to order if you don’t need any more information than that.
Soft wax is a nice addition to the tool kit of the finisher or tool restorer. It can be used as a stand-alone finish on bare wood. It imparts just a little color and a little protection. Its advantage is it’s incredibly easy to apply. Because it is so high in solvent (Georgia turpentine), it is easy to rub onto a surface and does not need to be buffed like floor wax. You simply wipe the excess soft wax away for a nice matte finish.
For tools, it helps lubricate the sticky bits and prevents rust. A thin coat is all it takes.
It is not a good finish for high-traffic items (bathroom cabinets) or your hipster mustache. It is high in solvents that could irritate your baby-smooth Fancy Lad skin.
The wax is made in our basement entirely by a 16-year-old who never ceases to amaze me. She is intent on forging her own path through this world without relying on institutions to prop her up. (Sounds strangely familiar.)
You can order tins of her wax through her etsy store here.
— Christopher Schwarz
This is really a comment on an old post, but I thought you’d appreciate this and you no longer have public e-mail:
In “I don’t use these as a rule”, you point out that for the winding stick buttons the important location was balance point, not midpoint. Quick way to find balance point of this sort of object: : Rest the stick across your two index fingers. Bring hands together. A simple feedback mechanism — the heavier side presses harder and slips less — will cause the fingers to meet with the center of balance above them. You may still want to fine-tune, but it skips a lot of the earlier trial-and-error. Simple machines for the win.
At one time you guys (or Katie?) were experimenting with a black wax formulation (at least that’s what I remember). Any chance you had some success?
I have a couple tins of this stuff and it’s great. My wife loves it too for her scroll saw projects like ornaments and such.
We haven’t got it right yet, I’m afraid. Perhaps we’ll give it another shot during her Christmas break.
Turpentine may harm your health. I know you know it, just to be on the safe side.
I have a tin of this stuff and love it. Haven’t used it just a ton, but what bit I have has been great. Last night I actually used it on the track of a makeshift shooting board for shooting some miters. Worked great to minimize friction of the plane!
I’d like to give the soft wax a try, but by the time I get the notifications, the product is sold out. Is there a means of ordering ahead for the next batch?
Sold out! Wow! Congratulations!