I've found just pouring wax into cardboard egg cartons works well for a fire starter. For those who make their own, where do you get your wax? I live in SW MO, but would shop by mail if the shipping was not too much. Thanks, ksks
A lot go to Salvation army to get cheap candles. Garage sales. Do a search for candle supplies. Should find a few sites. Also check craft stores and dept.
I used to buy the Gulf Wax from the Wally, but started getting candles dirt cheap at garage sales. I have about 20 lbs to work up....maybe more. Just need the egg cartons. I have sawdust galore in the shop.
there are church supply outlets that sell huge candles cheap and have no perfumes. local churches may throw away candles also.
Papadave...here's an option for egg cartons if you need to get caught up: $31 for 140. Egg Filler Flats - Paper, 12 x 12" S-5189 - Uline At my grocery I can get 2.5 doz eggs in the cardboard. Sees most have gone to the plastic cartons. Dave-have you found sawdust helping much? I did my own little test with and w/o sawdust and they seemed to last about the same. Don't know if chips, from chainsaw, would last longer??? Those are some good ideas guys. I'll check them out. Seems like shipping doubles the cost. About $1.41 per pound is the cheapest I found on the net, plus shipping. ksks
No need for wax ( petroleum BTW ) or fire starters when you subscribe to the WSJ or NYT. Libraries have to "recycle" their newspapers to landfills. Ask your local lib for disgarded papers for starting fires. JMNSHO
I have my local used store saving the ugly half used candles they get donated but don't want to re-sell. I give the owners a couple dozen firestarters as a thanks and I have an endless wax supply.
Yep. I buy mine for trapping from FNT, or MTP. I usually add a little Rosin to mine. Use it for dipping foot holds, and other tools.
Got a dumb question. But do you melt the wax then add noodles, sawdust, shredded paper. Once mix then pour.
Years ago I need some wax for some projects I was into at the time. At church, I started talking about what I was doing. The lady that takes care of the candles 0verheard the conversation and said, "I have a big box of nubbins." I got them. You may check with the person responsible for candles, if you church uses them.
Not a dumb question! I have tried multiple things and what I have found works best is... put down old news paper, melt candles in a 2 qt pot, only get it 1/2 full of wax at most and remove from the heat, slowly add small handfuls of chainsaw noodles or chips and I prefer chips, I dry my chips ahead of time out in the summer sun a few days, when adding chips be careful wax stays liquid at 400° and the residual moisture in the chips steams out and froths the wax and it foams very surprisingly to almost double its volume, I add chips until it gets to a dry bowl of oatmeal texture, spoon into egg cartons draining spoon before taking out of pot so wax doesn't run through carton and be sure carton is on old paper, set aside to harden. Once lit these burn 5-10 minutes and when camping it takes gale force winds to blow it out once burning good. My wife won't start a campfire without them.
Thanks. Since i have a lot of shredded paper once I mix it in and i have more than I need i can just let it cool down in the melting pot as is or do you put it into another container. Paper will be my choice.
Be sure to use a double boiler for melting wax. If done directly on the heat, you run the risk of starting the wax on fire.
