Hi, probably simple question but I like to use carnauba on smaller turns the problem I have is the bars I've gotten are as hard as rock practically and other is usually a soft wax mixture. When I try to use the bar it leaves ring marks on the wood because its so hard it not from a lack of melting. Anybody point me to a place that has bars similar to beeswax or do they simply not exist? Thanks

I’ve been using the carnauba wax from RMP , it’s not quite as soft as bees wax but easy enough to apply. It seems expensive but a little bit goes a long way.

I would suggest that you could soften the wax you already have by shaving some of it into a small jar and adding mineral spirits until you get the consistency you want. (note, allow sufficient time for the spirits to dissolve the wax ) Hope this helps.

3 minutes ago, Rusty S said:

I would suggest that you could soften the wax you already have by shaving some of it into a small jar and adding mineral spirits until you get the consistency you want. (note, allow sufficient time for the spirits to dissolve the wax ) Hope this helps.

That's what I do with beeswax.

Thanks all, I use beeswax most of the time I actually have a bee keeper near by and have it straight from the source probably not really much different than what you buy. I may try softening it. I am going to look into RMP I dont use it that often because of the poor results but would like to.

I checked out RMP but all I found were paste waxes but maybe I was misssing something, most were a mixture of other waxes, I already have several kinds of those, wood and butcher board sealers but on the lathe I'm looking for a bar like pure beeswax only softer bar of carnauba. It may not exist. I will give the softening a go. Thanks for your suggestions.

Don't know if this will help or not but I'll try. I make up a cutting board 'butter' by heating mineral oil and then melting beeswax in it. If it gets too thin, I just add more wax til it gets to the consistency I want. I generally try to get the consistency of Vaseline for rubbing onto boards. You may be able to do something like this with a very small amount of oil and a bigger batch of wax and then mold it into a stick shape.

What @Headhunter said!

Better than carnuba is microcrystalline wax. The thing about using the bar directly is to use high speed and move it quickly. Best way to use carnuba is with a Beall buff system. It works really well doing that.

Now for soft but probably not quite as effective try Heating with mineral oil. No idea how much to put in but a friend did this with microcrystalline wax.

As to effectiveness all waxes will require future reapplication. Carnuba will show fingerprints. Using microcrystalline wax , such as Renaissance Wax does not show fingerprints.

I have Renaissance wax but didn't have to good of luck and without looking I don't know if it is food safe on my bowls I only use food safe finishes. I'm going to try the mineral spirit or oil see if I can make my own bar.

12 minutes ago, Geezer said:

I have Renaissance wax but didn't have to good of luck and without looking I don't know if it is food safe on my bowls I only use food safe finishes. I'm going to try the mineral spirit or oil see if I can make my own bar.

This is the recipe I use for cutting boards and bowls-

How to Make Your Own Finish

You can easily make your own wood butter or balm at home using a simple ratio of 1 part beeswax to 4 parts mineral oil (by volume or weight).

• Ingredients:

  • 1 oz Beeswax pellets or grated wax

  • 4 oz 100% pure, food-grade mineral oil

• Instructions:

  1. Set up a double boiler on low heat (or use a dedicated small crockpot).

  2. Pour the mineral oil and beeswax into the container.

  3. Heat gently and stir occasionally until the beeswax melts completely into the oil (about 20–30 minutes).

  4. Pour the warm liquid mixture into small metal tins or glass jars and let it cool undisturbed for 30–45 minutes until it solidifies into a soft paste.

For rolling pins I just use mineral oil. You can get food safe mineral oil in the Pharmacy aisle at the grocery store.

47 minutes ago, lew said:

This is the recipe I use for cutting boards and bowls-

How to Make Your Own Finish

You can easily make your own wood butter or balm at home using a simple ratio of 1 part beeswax to 4 parts mineral oil (by volume or weight).

Thanks @lew . I did an experiment this summer and found the same ratio. I tried using a microwave without success. But the SC summer sun did a great job with just an occasional stirring.

14 minutes ago, JimM said:

I tried using a microwave without success

I have used the microwave- when my wife is not home