WAX. 



467 



WAX. 



the wooden plug and draw ott' the water and 

 pour it into the second boiler on the stove, 

 which, as before explained, should be used 

 for melting up the second lot of comb in 

 case it is necessary to do rapid work. Now 

 slide the can forward on the platform, as 

 shown in Fig. 14, and spread the piece of 

 burlap over it. Dip about one gallon of 



Fig'. Ij.— All ready for pressure. 



melted comb aiul ivater into the press and 

 fold the burlap neatly over it. The wooden 

 plug must be kept in the outlet tube in order 

 that the water and wax may not run out- 

 In dipping in the melted comb do not use 

 a strainer or dipper with a wire-cloth bot- 

 tom, for the idea is to transfer plenty of 

 water with the comb in order to keep the wax 

 from chilling, and also to aid in washing it 

 out. Use an ordinary dipper, then, of pretty 

 good size. The sqviare piece of burlap should 

 be of such size that theie will be plenty of 

 room on top to keep the skimgum from 

 washing out; but, on the other hand, there 

 should not be so much as to make a great 

 roll of useless cloth that will only be in the 

 way. A foot on each side to fold over 

 is enough if this burlap be folded over 

 neatly, as one would fold paper in tying up 

 a package; there is no need of nails for keep- 

 ing the edges together. Place the cleated 



follower on top of the burlap package of 

 comb with the cleats running toward the 

 spout, then push the can back under the 

 screw. Apply the pressure slowly, turning 

 the screw down more and more as the wax 

 and water are pressed out of the comb. 

 Enough water should usually be transferred 

 with the comb so that the cast-iron follower 

 will be completely covered when the screw 

 is turned down about half way. If not 

 enough water has been dipped over, more 

 hot w^ater should be added; but, usually, 

 enough water can be dipped in with the 

 combs so that no further water need be put 

 in. Next, place the wooden cover in posi- 

 tion over the can. These will warp some- 

 what with the steam; but they can be 

 reversed occasionally in order to make a 

 good fit. These covers are used to keep 

 away the cold air and thus prevent the wax 

 from chilling. Keep turning the screw 

 down slowly until it has reached the limit. 

 This should take about two minutes. Then 

 raise the screw about two inches, and with 

 a piece of bent wire pull up on the rope 

 handle of the wooden plunger until it floats 

 to the top, so that the hot water may again 

 saturate the contents of the burlap. In 

 about one minute apply the pressure again 



Fig-. 16.— The press lipped up on edge to allow the 

 last of the wax and water to run out. 



slowly, until the limit has again been 

 reached. Then release the pressure as be- 

 fore, and after this turn the screw down 

 again for the last time. This whole process 



