Another Favorite Product - Discontinued (presumably anyway)

[egnald]

Greetings all from Nebraska.

Well it appears that perhaps another one of the products I use in my regimens has gone discontinued. I tried to buy some of Dr. Kirk's Versa-Wax Unscented from Ed a few days ago. Exotic Blanks was Out of Stock, so I checked with the owner/supplier, Craft Supplies USA, and found the "We're sorry... This product is no longer available". message. I really liked it too, especially the soft consistency for lubricating parts and tubes when I am pressing them together.

I thought about buying some of the Dr. Kirk's Scratch Free, but it has tripoli abrasive in it and I didn't think that would be a good sub for what I use it for. They also sell Dr. Kirk's GOAT finishing wax. It doesn't appear to have any abrasives, but I think it might be made of Beeswax and some Orange oil as it is supposed to be food safe and has a orange citrus scent. The viscosity looks like it might be similar to the soft consistency in their video. I guess I'll have to try it at some point when my Versa-Wax supply runs out.

Ed did have some of their Lemon Scented, which is what I bought, but I'm guessing when the 7 he has left in inventory is gone that will be the end of it. - Bummer.

Regards,
Dave

 

[Darios]

Just curious and always looking for an upgrade (even if it's no longer available) but would you know how it compares to Renaissance Wax?

 

[egnald]

Just curios and always looking for an upgrade (even if it's no longer available) but would you know how it compares to Renaissance Wax?

I use Renaissance Wax on pens as a top coat on the finish, but I use the Versa-Wax as an aid when I am making them. I use a cotton swab to smear a little Versa-Wax in the ends of my tubes as a sort of buffer/lubricant when I am pressing parts in. Sometimes I also smear a little on the ends of my blanks right before I put them on the mandrel for wet sanding, just to help seal the ends up against water infiltration.

When it comes to using it as a wood finishing wax...

Versa-Wax is a microcrystalline based wax. It has a soft, almost sticky (like thick Vasceline) consistency compared to Renaissance wax. I think it is harder to spread out into a thin layer and is hard to manually buff off (rubbing with a cloth - not with the lathe or with a buffing wheel). The cost is about $2 per ounce.

Renaissance Wax is also a microcrystalline based wax, but it is much harder than VW. I think RW is easier to spread around and it seems to dry pretty fast and easier to buff off/up by hand. I think it gives a little more of a slick surface finish as well. The cost works out to about $6-$7 per ounce.

For a general purpose wax, I used to use Johnson Paste Wax, but unfortunately it has been discontinued. In addition to being able to use it on wooden furniture, I used it on my lathe bed, saw tables, etc. It was also very inexpensive at less than $1 per ounce. I use Trewax Clear Paste Wax for this kind of stuff now that I can't get Johnson's any more. It's a little over $1 per ounce.

Dave

 

[jttheclockman]

I use plain old vaseline. been using it for years and works well. Never stop making it so endless supply.

 

[craig]

I know what you mean. I use the old style Johnson's Paste wax on the guide tubes on my shop smith lathe. Can't get it anymore. Was at an estate sale and found a brand new can. 50 cents. Wife thought I was crazy getting goose bumps.

 

[Darios]

I know what you mean. I use the old style Johnson's Paste wax on the guide tubes on my shop smith lathe. Can't get it anymore. Was at an estate sale and found a brand new can. 50 cents. Wife thought I was crazy getting goose bumps.

Show her this: (capture from today - Aug 11)

And yeah - I am definitely going to be looking twice at the 'all cleaning products on shelf' section of the local estate sales from here on out.

 

[Darios]

I use Renaissance Wax on pens as a top coat on the finish, but I use the Versa-Wax as an aid when I am making them. I use a cotton swab to smear a little Versa-Wax in the ends of my tubes as a sort of buffer/lubricant when I am pressing parts in.

As always, an exceptionally thoughtful and complete answer. Thank you

 

[craig]

Thanks did not realize. I have enough for a life time including using as assembly wax. But I can find it for others.

 

[sorcerertd]

I know what you mean. I use the old style Johnson's Paste wax on the guide tubes on my shop smith lathe. Can't get it anymore. Was at an estate sale and found a brand new can. 50 cents. Wife thought I was crazy getting goose bumps.

Tell your wife you aren't the only one. That's a nice find!