[Ina]

I want to use all that leftover wax that I've collected over the years to make new candles. Not necessarily anything "nice", just something that burns. (It all produces heat, you know!) So I thought of melting the wax and filling it into jars/glasses (or even those glass thingies that were once full with wax anyway). Now my question: How do I fix the wick in the bottom while I fill it up with hot wax?  Or do I just fix it at the top - I could imagine rigging something up to let it dangle down from - but I fear it would be difficult to get it to stay in the centre!? 

[Mammyshaz]

Ina, what about tying the wick  to a bar ( knitting needle or chopstick or the likes ) at the correct length and lying the bar over the jar or container you are setting the hot wax into, dropping the length of wick to reach the bottom of your container. Once the wax set, snip off the wick at half an inch or so.

Have done kits but cannot remember how I kept the wick in place  so hope this is sort of useful for you   

[HappyHippy]

You can buy things called wick sustainers that you stick to the bottom of the jars to hold the wick - really cheap and really easy  I use them on the bottom and a cocktail stick across the top with blu tack holding the wick

I've made loads of candles to fill small glass (baby food) jars - they work really well. The only thing to watch is that you've got the right size of wick for the container you're using so it burns evenly.

I use these guys for supplies - always found them to be great. http://www.4candles.co.uk/
HTH and good luck,
Karen 

[Ina]

Thanks for your advice! I only managed to get really thin wick locally - must check out the website.

Has anybody tried "home made" wick? I have a lot of cotton lurking about...

[HappyHippy]

I've not tried it, but to be honest, the braided stuff is so cheap I never even thought of doing it 
It's only a couple of pounds for LOADS of it from the 4 candles website - it's a great website, full of loads of interesting stuff 

[Ina]

I know it's cheap - postage will probably be more than the stuff itself - I don't need that much! Still, every penny counts, as you know...

I think I just may have to try it out! 

[Garvie]

i got a load of the wee mettle disc things for holding the wick off of Amazon they have loads of candle making stuff and its really cheap and postage wasnt much either even got some funky looking moulds too

[happygolucky]

If you do not want the proper stuff and on a tight budget, you can use an old unused candle, I used to melt old bits of candle then, find a stiff cardboard container, such as one used for gravy mix or similar as they are coated so waterproof, you can stick something through and tie the wick on so its in the middle and hanging, it works but I used a candle that I did not like anyway so cut up the wick from that and used the wax. you can make them short and dumpy, no need to fill them up, leave them to cool down for as long as possible, even pop  in the fridge, then you can cut or peel open the carton, I never tried other cartons but the same thing would apply, make sure the wax is not too hot though and do it on something that does not matter  I only use tea lights now due to fire hazzard....they at least are put into jars so do not need watching so much, I also sometimes melt the bits of smelly ones and add them all together, thats a good saving too, then you can pop a fresh tea light without the tin bottom, into the melted mix, then its last longer!
I have loads of old bits of candle, I use them wrapped in newspaper for fire lighters!!

[Garvie]

also the tiny tins of juice u get, they work well for moulds, i have herd of folk using tennis balls as well

[happygolucky]

Like the idea of tennis balls, I suppose the wick can go in after with a hot knitting needle
 

[Garvie]

Even if u cut a loo roll tube in half and sit the ball on it then cut a hole in the top of the ball and tie ur wick to a cocktail stick and it will dangle down the middle or use a needle and thread to feed the wick up through the ball and then tie it onto the cocktail stick. blue tack works wonders to plug wick holes

[Lesley Silvester]

The best/wackiest I ever saw was made in a rubber glove.  Five wicks which must have been threaded through the finger tips.  Not sure how it was suspended while it set but you end up with a candle with five wicks.

[FiB]

Ina - to weigh down the wick I have tied the bottom end to a little pebble (from gravel) - beach glass would be nice at the bottom.   

[spandit]

Could you not stiffen the wick by soaking it in melted wax and letting it cool? Then you could poke it down the middle of your candle container that's just had melted was poured into it?

[Garvie]

Spandit that would probably work as well i have never done it but always found that if u soak the bit ur gonna light 1st time then it burns better( if that made sense)