CANDLE MesturecrunE.—Having described the nature and preparation of the materials which, In one form or another, constitute the two component parts of every candle, the next consideration will be the manner in which their combination is effected. Two plans only are in vogue, each exceedingly simple ; one is known as dipping, the other as moulding. The former is employed for common tallow candles, which are accordingly called " dips." The rods supporting the twisted wicks, as they come from the twisting and cutting machine, are transferred to a frame capable of being raised and lowered at will. This commonly takes the form of a beam, but a better arrange ment is seen in Fig. 468. The frame, made of iron, and capable of revolving, is so suspended that a perfectly horizontal position is always maintained, even uuder undue pressure at either end ; in this way, are secured a uniform length of candle and a plumpness at the top, which is difficult of attainment even by skilful workmen by the ordinary beam. ITnder the frame, are placed troughs containing melted tallow, into which the suspended wicks are repeatedly dipped. After each dipping, the adherent fat is allowed to cool sufficiently to retain a new coating on fresh immersion. The process is renewed until the candles have grown to the proper thickness ; they are then left to cool and harden. Dip candles are still largely manufactured, and are much employed in mines and small factories, and by domestic servants, as well as in cottages; but within the last three or four years they have there been largely replaced by the small moulded " cottage composites," made from distilled fatty acids, with a self-consuming wick. These are, in fact, small and cheap composito candles, made in the same sizes as the old tallow " dips," and at nearly the same price.
They are very largely manufactured by several firms, among whom may be mentioned Christopher Thomas and Brothers, of the Broad Plain Soap and Candle Works, Bristol.
By far the greater number of eandles now manufactured are moulded, hy which they acquire a much more finished appearance. The most simple form of moulding machine is that known as the " hand-frame," which is in use only among small manufacturers. The form commonly used is that made by Biertumpfel, of Albany Street, Regent's Park, and shown in Fig. 469 ; A, stan dards and water-box, with candle moulds partially enclosed ; B, movable clamps, for holding the ejeeted candles ; C, handle of eceentric wedge, for opening and closing the elamps ; D, pistons, having the tips soldered at the top ends, which are fitted to the lower ends of the candle moulds ; E, cotton bobbins, revolving on strong iron pins ; F, erank .
handle, for raising the pistons, by the action of which the newly made candles are ejeeted into the clamps ; G, handle of gun-metal gland cock, for emptying water-box (this cock is so arranged that it emnot leak or get out of order) ; II, overflow pipe, which prevents the box from being overcharged with water ; I, newly made candles, held by clamps while the melted material is being poured in, so that the wick is eentred in each mould ; J, a clearing pin, to enable workmen to clear the bend of the overflow pipe if it should become choked ; 11, a pipe to admit hot or eold water to the water-box. The method of using the maehine
is as follows :—After having made the connection between the hot and cold water pipes and the machine at K, and having connected the outlet pipe with a drain, the machine is ready for cottoning. The pistons are raised by turning the emnk handle F, until the tips are level with the butt ends of the tin candle moulds, where they Call be held by the pawl catching in the pinion. A fine wire, doubled, and of sufficient length to go tltrough the tip-mould and piston, is then inserted, and extended below the piston sufficiently to enable the opemtor to pass the candle wick end through the loop. This permits the cotton to be drawn up through the mould; it must then be secured in any convenient manner during the first filling. The crank F is returned, the melted material is poured. in, and the operation is eomplete. When nearly cold, the butt ends of the candles are shaved off with a tin scoop or a wooden spud. The clamps B should be placed open over the machine ; the crank handle F is then turned, and the candles aro ejected into the open clamps. These are then closed by the handle C, so that each candle is held in its proper position. The crank handle F is then returned to allow all the pis tons to recede into their places ; the wieks are thus held in a central position by the candles I and the cotton 'bobbins E. The cotton should be slightly strained under the piston pl ite. The melted material is again poured into the moulds to form a second batch ; wl,en these are nearly set, the wicks are severed under the clamps, and the first batch is removed in the clamps, The temperature of the water in the machine is easily regulated, by shutting off or adnuitting hot or cold water, as required, at the T conneetion at K. The internal immersion pipes, situated inside the water-box and between the rows of moulds, are perforated. These machines occupy only about 3 ft. x 2 ft. of space, and are made to mould candles from 1 lb. each to 56 to the lb. It is also possible to make candles of two different diameters, or several different lengths, in the same machine. A polished appearance is given to the candles by alternately admitting hot and cold water into the water-box ; the adjustment of the temperature is an operation needing special experience, the men's fingers forming usually their only thermometer.