Original poster: Ed Phillips <evp@xxxxxxxxxxx> Tesla list wrote:
Original poster: Vardan <vardan01@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Hi, At 03:21 PM 10/17/2006, you wrote:Vaseline sounds good. Seems like that would be easier to melt out for future repairs than wax would be. And it seems like vaseline would have less contraction issues. Where should I look for bulk vaseline? Do feed stores carry it, like they do mineral oil?Don't use paraffin wax that comes in those big slabs. It shrinks and cracks really bad (guess how I know this ;-)) You can add mineral oil to it to make it softer, but I don't know the correct proportions. Others have mentioned Vaseline and bee's wax. It might take a lot of those toilet rings... Lots of Vaseline too. But most stores are happy to get you a case from the back room... I think Vaseline comes in like 1/4 or 1/2 gallon sizes too, but most stores won't have them that big. Bigger jars will cost lest per pound than tiny jars though. Any good drug store can special order giant quantities as you need. Just ask. The fun part is making up a "colorful" excuse for buying so much :o))Cheers, Terry
Also called "petrolatum" and "petroleum jelly" and available from chemical supply houses in quart containers, as I have a couple I picked up somewhere. It might be easier to get your local drug store to special order the stuff than work with a supply house unless there's one handy. I agree on the "paraffin wax", having tried many ways to get the bubbles out of and overcome the shrinkage. No luck to either. I've often though of using it to pot HEI transformers in a pretty wooden case without all of the problems of somehow using an oil-tight container inside but, like many projects here, have never gotten around to it. Does anyone have experience in doing something like this and preserving the wood?
Just looked at McMaster's web site and they well if for about $7.50 for a single 1 pound jar and a bit over $30 for a 7 pound container. I haven't looked at my containers but suspect they are the 7 pound size. I'm sure there's a cheaper source and wonder about various greases from auto supply outfits. Problem would be making sure they are moisture free.
Ed Ed