Recharge Beeswax Thread Conditioner (for Sewing)

This was a simple little project that fulfills a need that I had. My beeswax thread conditioner (for sewing) had gotten quite worn from use. Rather than order a new one and discard the plastic holder, I wanted to refill it. I couldn't find a refill beeswax disk online, so I searched for a mold that might be the right size. I couldn't find that either. A new beeswax thread conditioner from Amazon is about $6. It wasn't the money. I just don't like the idea that it couldn't be refilled.

It finally occurred to me to make a parchment paper* mold from the used disk itself. I cut about a one and a half inch strip from a parchment paper roll and then trimmed that to about six inches long. Making a ring and taping it in place around the used beeswax disk, I placed it on a heat resistant silicone mat. After adding a few crumbles of beeswax inside the form to fill the gaps, I used a hot air rework station** to melt down the surface of the wax, filling the holes at the same time. The rehardened disk easily removed from the 'mold'. The melted wax did not completely flow through to the opposite side, so I flipped the disk and repeated the process on the other side. It came out pretty good. It's a bit larger than the original, which is okay. It still fits nicely in the holder.

*In addition to being non-stick, parchment paper is also heat resistant. It may be a bit difficult to adhere tape to the parchment paper. My tape wrapped all the way around and then some, allowing the tape to adhere to itself.

**Most any hot air gun would probably work, as long as it does not blow too hard.

CAUTION: I suppose it needs to be said, hot wax splattered about would be quite unpleasant and a hot air gun can easily burn. Make sure there are no kids around if you try this and make sure you work on a non-stick heat resistant surface.

Thanks for checking this out.