Author Topic: Wax Dirt (Read 1838 times)

bmtrappers · « **on:** September 09, 2004, 02:38:45 PM »

How many of you use wax dirt and what are your methods of makeing?

Wackyquacker · « **Reply #1 on:** September 10, 2004, 05:45:29 AM »

I use a 100 or so gallons a year. I mix the dry dirt and wax in a cement mixer and melt the wax into the dirt with a weed burner. Once melted I allow the mixer to turn until the dirt cools a bit. Five Gals makes for a pretty fast turn around especially if it is good and cold out side.

Asa Lenon · « **Reply #2 on:** September 11, 2004, 11:42:07 AM »

Wacky: Do you use just plain parafin wax or is their a combination wax minture you would recommend. Ace

Wackyquacker · « **Reply #3 on:** September 11, 2004, 02:40:03 PM »

I'll bet it is parafin but I buy mine from either Tim Cavens or Terry Montgomery. Tim's product is about the consistency of sand while Terry's is tiny flakes.

Asa Lenon · « **Reply #4 on:** September 11, 2004, 03:24:39 PM »

I just wondered about the formula because if plain parafin works, one can purchase parafin in bulk form directly from most oil companies at outlets where one would order bulk drums of oils and grease for heavy equipment, farm machinery, etc. Ace

coyotero · « **Reply #5 on:** September 12, 2004, 12:05:12 PM »

The wax that "they" sell for trap wax is Dow Flake.It melts at a lower temperature than parafin.I tried to find a source for it in bulk back 5 or 6 years ago and was unsucessful.I think,if my memory still works,that the wax is used in the food industry.I got an old waxed dirt method a long time ago that used parafin mixed in with heated dirt.I used a Salad Shooter to grind up the wax so I could get it to melt easier and mix in more thorough.It worked but was a slow process and I had to make small batches.I was too impatient and gave up.

Asa Lenon · « **Reply #6 on:** September 12, 2004, 01:36:57 PM »

Thanks coyotero, i'll keep my eye open for a source of Dow flakes in bulk Ace :-)

Wackyquacker · « **Reply #7 on:** September 12, 2004, 06:18:29 PM »

So Asa, you thinking about making some waxed snow for this season? :eek:

The wax I get from Montgomery fused a bit or came with some big chunks. The stuff seems very similar to parafin but it would be hard to tell without doing the tests. I'm guessing that the slowness Coyotero is talking about is in flaking the wax. I certainly can see that this would be a problem. Tim Caven type wax is like sand and works very nicely. The flaked form works fine also , at least when you use the cement mixer / torch method.

Asa Lenon · « **Reply #8 on:** September 13, 2004, 03:58:06 AM »

Wacky asked...
So Asa, you thinking about making some waxed snow for this season?

No, just curious so I can pass on the idea to trappers. Up here in my country there isn't much interim between sand trapping and deep snow where dirt anti-freeze is much needed. I go to snow sets the moment there is enough to do so. Ace

wormbobskey · « **Reply #9 on:** October 01, 2004, 05:31:36 PM »

I've read where some guys bake their dirt and wax in the oven, but was wondering if I could do it in my bucket that I boil my traps in? I'm pretty sure my with would have my hide on a stretcher if she saw me putting dirt into her oven. Worm

RdFx · « **Reply #10 on:** October 01, 2004, 06:34:12 PM »

I have switched to the Cement mixer method, I add 4 gallonns of sifted dry dirt and 3 lbs of wax to my cement mixer and then tun it on and point a propane torch in the opening on low and let it mix, bout ten minutes and its done.
I suppose you could use yr bucket and less dirt and wax and use propane torch and shake bucket after heating . But i think this would be tedious and hard way to do it. Ive tried all methods and the cement mixer method is the way to go even if you are mixing propolyne glycol with your dirt for freeze proof dirt.

wormbobskey · « **Reply #11 on:** October 02, 2004, 04:22:10 AM »

RedFx, you would think that the older I get the smarter I'd get, but I always seem to end up doing things the hard way. I do have a 2 burner, propane coleman stove I could use to melt the wax. I don't have access to a cement mixer and to be honest don't think the the small amount of waxed dirt I need would warrant even trying to borrow one. Last few years I've used buckwheat hulls and peat moss to try to freeze-proof my land sets. I've even used chopped up grass to cover sets with decent results. I know where I can get some good river dirt that has a lot of sand mixed in. Would that type of dirt work or should i get some with more loam content? Thanks, Worm.

RdFx · « **Reply #12 on:** October 02, 2004, 08:30:52 AM »

More loam content would be better. Be careful on getting too much matter like peat material in dirt as that really soaks up the wax. I guess you could call it organic material also.

wormbobskey · « **Reply #13 on:** October 02, 2004, 09:47:56 AM »

I guess I could go up on the hillside above the house and dig some nice dark dirt. I still have a month and some change before the season opens so I could get the dirt dried out and waxed in time. I can rig up some hardware cloth in a frame and sift the dirt before I start melting the wax. I alway sift what little peatmoss I use so I don't have to worry about sticks or such getting under the trap pan. Of course with buckwheat hulls, theres no sifting needed. Later, Worm.

adkguide · « **Reply #14 on:** October 02, 2004, 11:09:56 AM »

Lee,
Just read your method of waxing dirt. That cement mixer certainly does rock. How do you position the weed burner in the mouth of the mixer?? I heat the bottom of the mixer; but I have always thought that if you directed the flame into the mouth, it would speed up the waxing process. I just have never figured how to position the torch. Let's hear it. Thanks
Brandon