On Fri, 19 May 1995, Jean-Marie Van Dyck wrote:
 
> (...)  Don't forget that the
> thickness of the wood diminishes (about 1 mm).
>
 
Yes indeed the wood shrinks quite a bit after it is boiled in hot
paraffin.  It seems like it dries it.  Is'nt paradoxal?  I also noticed
that if the wood contains too much humidity the paraffin solution swells
rapidly and quickly boils out of the dipper.  It is dangerous since
paraffin is very flammable.  Does anyone know a trick to prevent this
problem.  (Maple syrup producers here put a piece of animal fat in an
overboiling pan of maple syrup to calm it down.)
 
PARAFFIN DIPPERS
 
For now I use a 45 gallon barrel as a dipper.  It is not convenient.  It
holds only one super at a time.  I plan to build a real wax dipper.  I
have on hand two papers with plans of two different dippers:  one by
Murray Reid and Andrew Matheson and the other one by Andrew Matheson (do you
hear me Andrew?).  I think the most recent plan is dated 1986.  Does anyone know
of improvements since then?  Why reinvent what has been invented? ;)
 
MICROWAX???
 
Jean-Marie, you refer to MICROWAX.  What is it.  Is this just a brand
name or is it a special kind of paraffin.  Personnally I have been using
what is sold in Canada as grade 2 paraffin.
 
PRICE OF PARAFFIN
 
Here I paid the equivalent of 1.89$ US for my paraffin (500 kilos).  I had a
hard time to find a supplier.  It would be nice to hear from other as far as
price and suppliers.  I got mine from a big hardware company (Rona) but I
am sure there must be other suppliers.
 
Thank you France Desjardins for initiating the discussion on this subject.
 
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