[Pro Tips] An alternative to messy wax sticks

The kit I’m currently working on has some moving parts, so it came with a wax stick. Wax works really well, but it leaves lots of shavings all over my workbench. So I decided to try some furniture wax. I also bought some applicators to apply the wax with.
Both the applicators and the wax I got works fantastic with virtually no mess. I consider these a purchase that I’m very happy with and I’ll get lots of use out of them.


I purchased the wax on Amazon and the applicators on Temu.


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@Tkaplan thats really useful thank you for sharing ! :rosette::cherry_blossom::rosette::cherry_blossom:

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Good stuff to use! Wax can only get you so far lol

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Yes, it’s true that wax leaves shavings, hehe.

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Thank you for sharing I’ll have to get some of that

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This is also the kind that I use. I put it in a small tipped squeeze bottle. I took it out of that container because I cut the hole too big and I couldn’t use the tip wasn’t Fine enough and the smaller bottle makes it easier to just squeeze a little bit on and then use the one of those type little sticks to put it in the gear spots.

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@Kim_Kieffer I’m not using the tip. I basically just stick the applicator I have into the tube or squeeze a little bit on it.

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Oh, that’s a brilliant idea!

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That’s extremely useful to know. I was reading something in another group earlier about lubricants and they suggested that silicon based lubricants are not the best in the long term because it causes wood swelling. Not sure if this silicon based or not, but I thought you might like to know.

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This is a very helpful tip. Thank you.

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That’s fantastic @Tkaplan . I will get this as well. Does it absorb into the wood?

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That 's usefull. Thank for share

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I never thought of that! Wax is so messy and it breaks so easily. I also feel like it never quite covers all the surfaces it needs to. Thanks for sharing!

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How does it go when applied to a kit? Is it more okay than the wax stick? I’m curious to know since I want to know the other alternative and easier way to apply wax on kits.

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Ive recently bought some liquid wax off amazon for my mechanicals and its the best stuff ivel used

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This looks really helpful.

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This is a genius idea!! I think I’m going to order some for when I do my dream coffee factory as I know there’s a lot of moving parts in that!

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This is a useful tip. Since I use a plastic placemat on my table when building I don’t really mind the shavings from the wax bar. But who knows maybe I will buy the wood lubricant someday and I will definitely be looking at this post again :smiling_face:

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I have a brush dedicated to the lub. I got mine on Amazon. I like it on gears and things for sure. I will use on my Coffee factory

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@Tkaplan this is the kind of practical post builders quietly save for later. Your notes around An alternative to messy wax sticks make the tricky parts feel much less intimidating, and it is helpful to see real experience shared so clearly.

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