Melting sealing wax - recommendations

[LizEF]

10 minutes ago, kestrel said:

Interesting.  I use wax seals on a lot of my personal correspondence and have never been charged extra.  I do keep them thin.

Yours probably make it through the machinery with no problem.

 

Smoke says I must play with him now...

[RedPie]

I am using this one. Not very often, but for our Christmas letters I do. 📯

[Eoghan2009]

I bought a red sealing wax - two tubs from China - it was a little to bright.  Curiously my butane torch seems to be burning it and turning it darker!  anyone experienced similar?

 

[Ambien]

On 11/22/2024 at 4:58 PM, Mark from Yorkshire said:

My current seals have double sided tape as they came with the stamps that I bought (complimentary) each stamp is tested prior to dispatch. @Ambien there is one on my latest letter I sent you I did not realise US post charges extra, as hand sorted.

 

It arrived a bit crushed but it came with my reg letters. I bought a wax seal kit ages ago but I kinda lost motivation knowing they will be crushed regardless unless I just add it inside the actual envelope. 

[Mark from Yorkshire]

1 hour ago, Ambien said:

 

It arrived a bit crushed but it came with my reg letters. I bought a wax seal kit ages ago but I kinda lost motivation knowing they will be crushed regardless unless I just add it inside the actual envelope. 

I am glad it arrived, at least it through and did not cost you anything 

[ScottT]

On 11/22/2024 at 5:17 PM, LizEF said:

You're most welcome!  If you can manage to keep the total thickness of the letter + wax to no more than .25", and the wax is the bendable sort, you might be able to get your letter through without extra postage.  And I suspect you're better off trying it than asking the folks at your PO, unless your PO folk know you and are friendly - I've heard stories of postal workers seeming to take it personally when you want to mail something "unusual".

 

I'll second trying it yourself; I've had one PO insistent on surcharging me (only for the seal to arrive mangled) and others that didn't seem to care one way or the other.  But yes, thinner is better for the chance to arrive whole.

[ScottT]

On 11/22/2024 at 5:17 PM, LizEF said:

You're most welcome!  If you can manage to keep the total thickness of the letter + wax to no more than .25", and the wax is the bendable sort, you might be able to get your letter through without extra postage.  And I suspect you're better off trying it than asking the folks at your PO, unless your PO folk know you and are friendly - I've heard stories of postal workers seeming to take it personally when you want to mail something "unusual".

 

I'll second trying it yourself; I've had one PO insistent on surcharging me (only for the seal to arrive mangled) and others that didn't seem to care one way or the other.  But yes, thinner is better for the chance to arrive whole.

Edited November 27 by ScottT
Apologies for the double post.

[RedPie]

23 hours ago, Eoghan2009 said:

I bought a red sealing wax - two tubs from China - it was a little to bright.  Curiously my butane torch seems to be burning it and turning it darker!  anyone experienced similar?

 

Not that is turns the color darker, but I have to set mine on the lowest setting or it will catch the wax on fire. It just puts out a lot of heat. I also have to wait quiet a while before I can put my stamp on.

[PJS_prog]

Does anyone have any experience with the glue gun wax sticks?  That seems like it would be convenient.

[Mr.Rene]

46 minutes ago, PJS_prog said:

Does anyone have any experience with the glue gun wax sticks?  That seems like it would be convenient.

I do and it works perfect, more easy than melt wax with fire...there are several stick colors and with or without shimmer.

 

Best regards.

René.

[Alexandra]

For wax beads I use a candle but for sticks I use a cigar lighter. 

[ScottT]

On 11/27/2024 at 1:25 PM, PJS_prog said:

Does anyone have any experience with the glue gun wax sticks?  That seems like it would be convenient.

 

It is convenient if making multiple seals of the same color, as changing the color mid-stick can leave some of the original color to run through before the new stick takes hold.  On the plus side, you can get some nice dual color seals that way. 

 

To each their own, but I just cut up a few pieces, be it proper sealing wax or glue gun wax and melt it in a ladle so I get it just the way I like it.  Inexpensive ladles can be had online, so having an extra 'test ladle' or two is a definite plus.