Traditional Muzzleloading Association

The Center of Camp => Camping Gear and Campfire Cooking => Topic started by: Poynor Family on July 02, 2011, 11:20:47 PM

Title: Water Proofing useing bee wax
Post by: Poynor Family on July 02, 2011, 11:20:47 PM

Gents I'm going to make a haversack out of cavans and want to water proof it with bee wax but never done it got any info.

Title: Re: Water Proofing useing bee wax
Post by: Loyalist Dave on July 05, 2011, 02:34:55 PM

Well I have done a market wallet that way to serve as a container for small stuff in my blanket rolled up for a tumpline.  I baked the item in the oven on the lowest setting which was 170 degrees, for about ten minutes, then dipped the hot, dry cloth in melted beeswax using a pair of tongs.  This kept the amount of wax kept by the item to a minimum.

Now as for a haversack, well I would go with boiled linseed oil and a three week cure, as the wax will get tacky in hot weather and rub off on your clothes.  The boiled linseed oil when properly cured seems to have much less of a problem.  

LD

Title: Re: Water Proofing useing bee wax
Post by: Gambia on July 05, 2011, 11:47:17 PM

You might want to buy some oil cloth instead as it's already waterproof then line your haversack with another fabric.

Title: Re: Water Proofing useing bee wax
Post by: Rasch Chronicles on August 16, 2011, 04:23:27 AM

Hey there guys!

I wrote extensively on the subject: Traditional Methods of Waterproofing Fabric (http://http)

Ok maybe it wasn't extensive, but it was pretty thorough!

There are plenty of tips on waterproofing with both beeswax and linseed oil, using both traditional methods and modern help like an iron or a black plastic trash bag.

Thanks again, and I hope this is helpful to you!

Best regards,
Albert “The Afghan” Rasch (http://http)
Traditional Methods of Waterproofing Fabric (http://http)
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