anyone try carving in candle wax?

[Remi]

I was wondering if the CW was able to carve images in a wax brick such used for candle wax?

[Dan-Woodman]

I would think candle wax would be too soft, but I think there is a carving wax that can be used.

later Daniel

[pkunk]

And still melt all over the bit at 20,000 rpm's. Wax is a no-no in the CW.:p

[Dan-Woodman]

Seems like I seen special carving wax on one of the shopbot or similar sites.
They use it for trying out patterns instead of expensive material.

later Daniel

[Kenm810]

Just the thought of any kind of wax chips or shaving being ground into my machines traction belts gives me the willies.
Even with sled with rails the 85 lbs. of roller pressure would do a fine job of filling in all the spaces between the grains of sand on the belts. http://www.carvewright.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_eek.gif

[earlyrider]

I've used a hard wax in the machine with no problems. It was a blue machinist wax that took detail well and didn't clog the traction belts or the ways and didn't crush under the rollers. It just needed a shot of spray paint so the board sensor could see it. I suspect candle wax may be far too soft.

[rjustice]

Before the days of toolpath verification software, we used machinable wax in our CNC machines all the time to test complex programs, and make sure there were no gouges etc. It is even possible to measure the wax using indicators etc. to verify size. What we used is the same material found on the following website.

http://www.machinablewax.com

The shavings comming off the cutter will look alot like what you get from carving corian. Just knowing the consistancy of this material, i dont think it would want to stick to the belts or be a problem. The wax is also able to be recycled, and used over and over. See the website for info.

I would highly discourage any attempt to use candle wax!! very sticky, and i think you would end up with a mess!

Hope this helps...

Ron

[Kenm810]

Thanks guys for adding a little information to my knowledge base.
I have worked with several types of waxes over the years,
but never ran into the machinable wax your speaking of.
I checked out the site you provided and plan to read up a little more about it.
Sounds very interesting and useful in many applications.

Thanks again

[rjustice]

Hmmmm... I had a thought about using this material for "lost wax castings"... and if you look on this page of their site, they already have a specific wax extrusion that is shaped like rings to carve shapes into. This is a different wax with "less ash content"... designed specifically for this process...

http://www.machinablewax.com/machinable_wax_jewel.html

Ahhh the possibilites ;)

Ron