Notebook style casting wax mould embossing manual beeswax foundation machine
Using a foundation press is a simple and straightforward process. With the right setup, work progresses fast. You should set up your foundation press on a flat surface so that the foundation sheets you make have even thickness. Any spills of wax should be routed back to the boiler. The press is therefore best set at a height that is higher than, and just above the wax boiler you are using.
The equipment you need includes a wax scraper, an air blower, a hand spray can and a measuring tape. Follow these steps to make foundation sheets using the notebook beeswax foundation machine:
- Open the press and clean it. Remove any leftover wax from previous use. Dust too should be removed from the plates of the press. It is best to also clean the press immediately after use, so that you have less cleaning to do next time you want to use the press.
- Using a hand spray can, apply some water with a little detergent onto the plates of the press. This helps make sure the wax sheet does not stick to the plates. It eases removal of the wax foundation sheet in later steps of the process.
- Pour wax onto the bottom unmoving plate of the foundation press. A strong plastic cup or other suitable container can be used. Do not use iron or brass with wax. Make sure that there is enough wax on the bottom plate. Some spillover is good since it assures you that there is enough wax for the foundation sheet in the press. If you do not pour in enough wax, the foundation sheet will be uneven or smaller than it should be.
- After pouring in enough wax into the foundation press, lower the moving plate of the press. It comes on top of the bottom plate. The two plates enclose wax between them. Press down the upper plate to squeeze out any air trapped under it. Some wax might be squeezed out of the press too at this stage. Make sure to press down firmly so that the foundation sheet you make will have even thickness.
- Scrape off any wax spills from the foundation press. The wax is returned into the boiler.
- Using an air blower, separate the upper plate of the foundation press from the foundation sheet you just pressed. Aim the jet of air between the wax sheet and the upper plate of the press.
- Use the air blower to separate the sheet of foundation wax from the bottom plate of the press. You can lift the sheet as you go so that separated sections do not rest on the press plate again.
- Place your sheet of foundation on a flat surface. Trim off any excess sheet and return the wax into the boiler.
Click this youtube link,and you will get more information: https://youtu.be/Pj5zRx13PBw
Here are some suggestions to get better beeswax foundation sheets
- Use only a little detergent in your spray water.
- If you do not have an air blower and compressor, you can use an edged tool to pry the foundation sheet from the press. This however risks making an impression or marks on the foundation sheet.
- For best results, one or two hinges of the foundation press are elongated to project from the upper press plate. The projecting part works as a handle to help you press down on the foundation press once you have poured wax into it.
- A block of wood or metal that is the exact size of desired foundation sheets is used to make trimming faster. Place the block of wood on the finished sheet and cut off any excess foundation sheet.
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