nectar
2010 Mar 8 • 232

how to make a real lava lamp but with normal materials... not like chemicals and stuff. i heared about wax and water but dont know how to heat it up... thx

sprinkles


2009 Sep 6 • 2547
10 ₧

Take the heating coil off of your stove.

Down Rodeo
Cap'n Moth of the Firehouse


2007 Oct 19 • 5486
57,583 ₧

The man speaks the truth. Anything that you can make hot - put it at the bottom. You put the lumps of wax in the bottom, they are heated, become less dense than the surrounding water and float to the top. Ideally here they cool and sink again. Making one yourself is a bit hardcore, though. I'd recommend buying one.

nectar
2010 Mar 8 • 232

well i need it for a speech, i mean i only need to add wax to microawwve make it liquid put in water add soemthign that heats at the bottom and thats all? wont the water evaporate or the wax turn solid?

Rockbomb
Dog fucker (but in a good way now)

2009 Nov 13 • 2045

You're right, I think the wax would turn solid, and all the water would evaporate.
Wait that makes me wonder, how to real lava lamps keep the water inside and not let the wax turn solid?


Edit: After googling, I found out that they have a lid and that the heat from the burner at the bottom keeps the wax liquid.
Oh science, you so crazy...

nectar
2010 Mar 8 • 232

oh ok thx and i saw that u can use a coil too, but i dontknow how the coil is where it goes (in or out) plus how lol... i am stupid i know :D thanks in advance

Rockbomb
Dog fucker (but in a good way now)

2009 Nov 13 • 2045

The coil should be outside of the container, about 3 feet away (any closer and it might melt the wax... you don't want that). Just make sure that the coil stays away from the container, especially the bottom of it, and you should be fine.


And because I have a feeling that you might take this post literally, I'm going to tell you straight up I'm being sarcastic, and that you should get the coil as close to the wax as possible.

Down Rodeo
Cap'n Moth of the Firehouse


2007 Oct 19 • 5486
57,583 ₧

The other man also speaks the truth. Sealing it will stop the water evaporating; also, you're not making it that hot. I think at about forty degrees Celsius the wax becomes mobile enough but I don't know. A few minutes on Google has enlightened me enormously.

You know, I almost suspect you're some kind of elaborate troll.

EDIT: professional ones seem to use a 40 watt bulb at the bottom, both for heating and for the sexy lighting.

nectar
2010 Mar 8 • 232

ok, so i which to use the coil because i want to use different light, the coil is there any special one? i mean theres alot of types... can by the closes i can put it in of the lava lamp? not out where the lamp is? i am a trol? lol

nectar
2010 Mar 8 • 232

one question, isnt wax less denser than the water? so the wax will float up and it wont sink? i saw u add something but there isnt any house hold item? or something?

sprinkles


2009 Sep 6 • 2547
10 ₧

That's the whole point. When wax is in its solid form it is more dense then water, thusly it sinks in water. However, when wax is in a liquid form it is less dense the water, thusly floating or rising in water. The wax on the bottom gets heated by the coil making it less dense than water and rise. The wax at the top is cooled making it more dense than the water and sinks.

nectar
2010 Mar 8 • 232

I was wondering how i make the coil.. i gues sepcial but dont know plus i have a 120v lamp is that too much? and sprinkles ur paragraph made this;

wax
wax
wax
wax :D

Rockbomb
Dog fucker (but in a good way now)

2009 Nov 13 • 2045

Well you have to make sure you make it hot enough to melt the wax, but not much hotter than that. If you make it TOO hot, then it will heat of the water/syrup/whatever and the wax won't get a chance to re-solidify.

Down Rodeo
Cap'n Moth of the Firehouse


2007 Oct 19 • 5486
57,583 ₧

A forty watt bulb ought to do it. Like I said last time.

By the way, if you actually try this and end up electrocuting yourself, I am not taking any responsibility, not that I think there's a legal case for it. I've said it's not the best of plans and you'd be better buying one. Just in case, y'know?

Rockbomb
Dog fucker (but in a good way now)

2009 Nov 13 • 2045

That would be...

Shocking.

Down Rodeo
Cap'n Moth of the Firehouse


2007 Oct 19 • 5486
57,583 ₧

YEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!

nectar
2010 Mar 8 • 232

lol, but its how to make a lava lamp with recycled materials thats why i need to do not buy :D oh and 40? lol i gto 120 :D

Down Rodeo
Cap'n Moth of the Firehouse


2007 Oct 19 • 5486
57,583 ₧

Well, have fun!

nectar
2010 Mar 8 • 232

O.o lol

Rockbomb
Dog fucker (but in a good way now)

2009 Nov 13 • 2045

Seriously, what country do you live in where the assignment is to build a lava lamp out of recycled materials?
Also, I'd stick with DRs advice of a 40 watt bulb. First of all if you use 120 its not going to work, it will be too hot. Second, I think you need to stay as cautious as possible, especially since you're asking random people on the internet on how to do something like this... and "upgrading" to a 120watt bulb just doesn't seem very cautious.

Down Rodeo
Cap'n Moth of the Firehouse


2007 Oct 19 • 5486
57,583 ₧

Do you know I think my signature probably doesn't help the situation.

Plus, any school that gave assignments like that I would SO go to.

Rockbomb
Dog fucker (but in a good way now)

2009 Nov 13 • 2045

Oh don't get me wrong, as soon as he tells me what school it is, I'm gonna go sign up. I just don't think HE should be there

nectar
2010 Mar 8 • 232

panama :D plus ok lol i will be more "cautious"