The Lamps, Lanterns and lighting thread

[sniper7]

At the very bottom of the list are candles. The only good thing I can say about them is that they will store forever and need no maintenance at all. I make my own.

How much ear wax do you produce??? i don't think could ever make a candle


but really, how do you make your own?

[jerrymrc]

How much ear wax do you produce??? i don't think could ever make a candle


but really, how do you make your own?

Paraffin, coffee can, thermometer, wicks and molds. You can use milk cartons for molds. Buy the block of paraffin at Michaels with one of those 40-50% off one item coupons. That is where I also get my wicks and other junk from. You can get into making candles for less than $25.

I re-melt leftover wax and save the small glass that the candles from the dollar store came in. I also have 2 molds. One for votive s and one for a simple square but mainly I just reuse the glass. I also have colors and scent's for the ones around the house.

It also was a popular pastime to do with the Kids when they were younger.

[sniper7]

Paraffin, coffee can, thermometer, wicks and molds. You can use milk cartons for molds. Buy the block of paraffin at Michaels with one of those 40-50% off one item coupons. That is where I also get my wicks and other junk from. You can get into making candles for less than $25.

I re-melt leftover wax and save the small glass that the candles from the dollar store came in. I also have 2 molds. One for votive s and one for a simple square but mainly I just reuse the glass. I also have colors and scent's for the ones around the house.

It also was a popular pastime to do with the Kids when they were younger.

Very cool, looks like I need to give that a try!

[jerrymrc]

Very cool, looks like I need to give that a try!

If ya give it a day I will show ya. Just making some now.

[Troublco]

If ya give it a day I will show ya. Just making some now.

I'd be interested in seeing that too. I have a couple of the Deitz lanterns and several LED flashlights with plenty of spare batteries, but those will only last a matter of weeks. Definately need a longer term process in place.

[jerrymrc]

The easy way to make candles. Gather up your stuff (posted above) and here we go. We are going to reuse those dollar store candle glass. Peal off all the labels and put what is left on the stove on LOW. All we are trying to do is melt the wax enough to get the old wick out (picture 1)

Once the wicks are out and halfway clean (picture 2) we need to melt the paraffin. Get a coffee can and make a spout on it. put your thermometer and the paraffin in it and start to melt it on LOW (picture 3).

Gather up your wicks and other stuff. (picture 4) Today we are using wire wicks that are already made. You can buy bases and bulk wick but today is easy. I use small paper clamps to position the wick with a stick (picture 5) Continue to melt the paraffin keeping it right around 200 degrees. I go ahead and add my color to it. Once all the paraffin is melted I turn it off and let it get below 175 for glass. The correct temperatures are marked on the thermometer for the type of mold you are using. I will finish in the next post.

[jerrymrc]

Now is the time to add you scent if you so want. (picture 1) pour into the glass and reposition the wicks if necessary (picture 2) After a while the paraffin may pull down a little and you can top it off so to speak. let the candles cool and your done.

That is all there is to making simple candles.

[gnihcraes]

How much ear wax do you produce??? i don't think could ever make a candle


but really, how do you make your own?

mybuster recently tested this theory on tv... yuk.