880 
WAX 
pressure slowly once more. This process 
should be repeated two or three times. 
Instead of using a jet of steam as de¬ 
scribed, an extra can may be used, one 
to be on the stove being reheated while the 
other is under the press. 
When the screw is finally down as far as 
it will go, place a washtub or a large can 
on the floor in front of the press and tip 
the latter over, pouring all the water and 
wax out. Leave the press tipped over a 
few moments until the wax drains out— 
Fig. 14. 
When no more wax will drain out, tip 
the press back into its regular position and 
pour the hot water and wax into an empty 
can or barrel having a faucet at the bot¬ 
tom. If a barrel is used which is smaller 
at the top, the hot water must first be 
drawn off after the work is over, and the 
wax run into previously soaped molds to 
harden. It is more convenient to use an 
oval-shaped can or round can that is larger 
at the top, so that the wax may be left 
Fig. 13.—Apply the pressure. The wax rises to 
the top of the water. As much time may he given 
to the pressing as desired—no danger of chilling, 
because of the jet of steam. 
Always turn the screw down slowly. If 
it is run down rapidly before the liquid in 
the mass inside the burlap has time to 
squeeze out, the burlap and the contents 
inside are likely to push up around the 
follower, interfering seriously with the es¬ 
cape of the water and wax. Turn the screw 
only when it turns easily. Of course, when 
it is clear down it may be turned tight; but 
there is really more danger in applying too 
much pressure than in not applying 
enough. 
Sufficient water should have been dipped 
in with the comb so that the water and 
wax, when the screw is clear down, will 
just about submerge the iron spider on the 
end of the screw. It ought to take two or 
three minutes to get the screw clear down. 
When it is down about as far as it will go, 
release the pressure until the cast-iron fol¬ 
lower is nearly out of the liquid; pull up 
on the rope handle of the wooden follower 
until it is free from the burlap, thus al¬ 
lowing the hot water to saturate the refuse 
again. After a minute or so apply the 
prevent the wax from slopping over. If it 
does, there is danger of having a serious 
fire. As soon as the water in the second 
boiler boils, begin filling that with combs. 
Fig. 14.—When the pressing process is completed 
the whole outfit is tipped up on its hinges to pour 
off the hot water aud wax. 
right in it to harden in one large cake. 
There is no difficulty in lifting the cake 
out even tho it be 8 or 10 inches thick. 
The idea of the faucet at the bottom is 
to permit drawing off the hot water, so that 
it may be used over and over again. There 
is no object in using fresh watef each 
time; therefore when the first boiler is 
empty, enough hot water may be drawn 
