PROJECT : Making Hand-Dipped Tapers

Ready for a trip back in time? No rush, as wax has to melt slowly and time is needed for same to cool between dips. What a thrill it must be to see our candles take shape! Can’t wait, so let’s get going.

Step 1. SET-UP THE DOUBLE BOILER

If you do not have a melting wax pot like the one shown in the photo, choose the pot you will be using as a bottom for your double-boiler setup. Place your chosen dipping vat in the pan and put it on the stove top. Place wax in the dipping vat about as deep as the tapers you are making are long.

Step 2. MELT THE WAX

Slowly add water to the double-boiler bottom, making sure not to tip the dipping vat. Ideally the water should come up at least one-half the height of the dipping vat, more if you can do so without tipping it over or causing it to float.

Place the double-boiler setup on a burner over medium heat; you do not want the water to boil wildly, but want it just hot enough to melt the wax and bring it to the right temperature.

When some of the wax begins to melt, place a candy thermometer in the liquid wax.

STEP 3.

Check on the melting wax. It is likely that you will need to add more wax to the dipping vat at this point. The main factor in the depth of the wax is the length of the tapers you are making, so gently add more wax if necessary.Note: wax expands slightly as it is heated, so you are better off adding it a little at a time.

Step 4. SET UP A COOL WATER BATH

I took a white bucket deep enough for 12 inches tapers ! better have bigger than too small right ?

Step 5. PREPARE YOUR WICK

For tapers, you’ll use one length of wick for every two candles you make. Cut the wick to the appropriate length for your candles; to do this, drop one end of your wick into your chosen dipping vat.

Mark the length with a pencil. Now double it, so you have one length of wick that is two candles long, and then add an extra few inches for wrapping around your dipping stick. Mark the wick again at this spot, then cut it.

Step 6. FASTEN THE WEIGHTS ONTO THE WICK

There are a six split shots in the kit ( the little metal weights ) .

Open up two of the weights far enough so that the wick will go into the crevice. Then squeeze the metal gently together so that one weight is attached to either end of the wick.

Drape the wick over the center of your dipping stick, and wind it around a few times.

(as shown on photo above)

What you are trying to do is create enough space between the two candles so they won’t knock together; you also want to space them so that they will descend into the dipping vat(s) gracefully.

It took me a few adjustments to get it right .

You also want both weights hanging even with each other so that your candles will be roughly the same size.

STEP 7. FRAGANCE AND DYE

Now is the time, if you wish, to add fragrance and dye. I added the green die and scrapped off from the vanilla fragrance block a chunk and let drop same into the melting wax.

STEP 8. MAKE THE CANDLES

Your wax should be at around 170 degrees Fahrenheit for dipping tapers.

Dip the weighted wicks into the liquid wax for three to four seconds, then remove the wicks from the wax.

Hang the wicks to cool, or dip them momentarily into the cool-water bath.

If you are using the cool-water bath, you must be sure to allow all the water to drain off the tapers before dipping again or bubbles will form on the surface.

Take care that the tapers do not swing back and forth and touch each other during the dipping and hanging process.

Hum…I have a problem….I’ve been repeating the process for about 25 minutes now and look what my tapers look like !

I surely did something wrong ! ! ! But what ?

Anyone can help me ? You have a clue why ?

Going to think this all over .

Stay tuned for my next attempt to re-create tapers candles. Hopefully with success next time around.

The Complete Candlemaker Book & Kit

click on the following links:

Candles Kits Reviews : The Complete Candlemaker Book & Kit - Part 3

Candles Kits Reviews : The Complete Candlemaker Book & Kit - Part 2

Candles Kits Reviews : The Complete Candlemaker Book & Kit - Part 1

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