214 MONEY IN" BEES IN AXJSTKALASIA 



handle and gently lower into the wax nntil submerged, 

 then lift quietly upwards until all drip ceases. Repeat 

 this operation until the desired thickness is attained. 

 Thick brood foundation requires more dipping than thin 

 surplus. 



Some operators reverse the boards after each dip to 

 secure sheets of even thickness, otherwise the lower 

 portion of the sheet will be considerably thicker owing 

 to the w^x "freezing" as it runs to the bottom of the 

 boards. Only experience can determine the number of 

 dips necessary to produce anj^ particular weight. The 

 boards, with the adhering wax sheets, are then plunged 

 into one of the water tanks for a second, and the edges 

 are then removed. If the boards were previously 

 saturated with water two sheets of wax may now be 

 peeled from each and stacked convenient to the 

 foundation-mill. (Fig. 74). 



The man working tlie mill selects a roomy bench, and 

 firmly secures the machine with four screws. He then 

 prepares some strong soapsuds to act as a lubricant to 

 prevent the wax sheets from sticking and clogging the 

 rolls. The small trough tliat carries the soapsuds is so 

 located that the bottom roller is constantly running in a 

 soapy bath. The plain wax sheet is taken from the heap 

 and passed through some warm water at 112° F., to 

 render it more pliable; the handle of the mill is given a 

 few swift turns to "soap" the top roll. The thinnest end 

 of the sheet is then fed into the rollers which should be 

 about 80° F., by steadily turning the handle. 



Experience will enable the operator to decide when 

 the sheet is at the toughest stage. Tf milled too warm the 

 sheet sticks and clogs the indentations of the pattern, 

 if on the other hand, the wax is on the cold side, it will 

 crack off like glass. Too great attention cannot be paid 

 to the temperature of the room. Should a direct draught 

 blow on the wax sheets before peeling from the dipping- 

 boards they will invariably crack badly and have to be 

 re-melted. Two flat pieces of wood should be at hand to 

 catch the edge of the sheet as it comes through the 



