RAW MATERIALS
Paraffin Wax
Most candles today are made more or less with paraffin wax, which can be obtained from industrial wax suppliers in bulk or craft shops for smaller amounts. The melting point varies from 50oC to 65oC depending on its source, paraffin wax is obtained from crude oil. An addition of 10-15% of stearic acid (stearine) will make the candles less likely to "wilt" in hot weather.
Other Waxes
Beeswax is more expensive than paraffin wax but if you keep bees or have access to some this could solve your problem,it is available commercially from
beekeeping equipment suppliers. . If you are interested you could contact local apiarists about supply.Beeswax melts at 62 to 65oC. Rendered beef tallow
can also be used to make candles although it will soften in hot weather and tend towards smoking and smelling a bit. To me the smell of beef tallow is revolting but it does not bother some people.
Wicks
The cheapest way to get wicks is buy a ball of cotton twine.It can be used as is or soaked in vinegar or boric acid solution to make it burn longer.Beekeeping equipment suppliers and craft supply shops may also sell wick material.
PRODUCTION METHODS
Dipping
This is the simplest method and consists of tying lengths of wick into a rectangular or circular frame then dipping them into molten wax. The wicks are removed from the wax and a layer of wax allowed to harden on them. The coated wicks are then dipped in again and the process repeated until a candle of the required thickness is obtained. The base is cut off square so it will stand up and any excess wick trimmed and the candle is ready for use. Candles can also be made using this method by hand , dipping one wick at a time although it is obviously much slower .
Casting
This involves fixing a wick in a container and then pouring in the molten wax around it. The container can be anything that will stand the heat of the wax, a single use plastic or cardboard mold is the easiest,being cut away after the wax is set. A glass tumbler can be filled and the candle left to be used in situ , giving a very decorative result. Sand can be used to form a mold, some of which will stick to the surface of the candle giving it a textured look. The possibilities are endless.
A very handy emergency candle can be cast using the following method - Clean out a used , wide mouth food jar of 375 to 500 ml capacity . Tie one end of the wick on to the middle of a pencil and the other to a small weight eg a steel nut . Lower the weighted end into the jar until it is resting on the bottom and the pencil is in contact with the mouth of the jar . The jar can now be filled with molten wax and allowed to cool , once cooled any shrinkage of the wax should be topped up with more wax to ensure even burning of the wick . The wick can be trimmed when the whole lot is solid . This makes a cheap , safe , long burning candle ideal for use during blackouts .
Colouring
Special oil soluble candle dyes are available from craft shops and those increase the number of effects which the candlemaker can achieve. Short of this crayons can be used to colour candles if melted into the initial mix before pouring or dipping. Dipping a candle in different coloured layers can produce striking effects especially if the candle is carved afterwards.
