This method requires the use of a double boiler. Those of you who
cook will know the concept (Mmmmm chocolate !). The idea is to use
two containers. One larger one, in which you will boil water, and a
smaller one (which you don't mind ruining) which will contain the wax.
A good idea for the small container is a cleaned out catfood can.
Place a block of beeswax in the catfood can, and float/place this into
the saucepan of boiling water. If all goes well, you'll end up with
a catfood can filled with molted wax. You don't want to put the wax
on direct high heat because it tends to blacken and burn.
Once you have a can full of molten wax, you dip and remove the didj
from the wax, each time building up the wax mouthpiece. I have heard
that some people turn the didj slowly as they remove it, helping the
building process.
Another thing that I have seen is a deep initial dipping (a few
centimeters) which helps to seal the inside of the mouth end of the
didj which gets the most amount of moisture. This is supposed to help
prevent cracking due to expansion and contraction resulting from
repeated wetting and drying inherent in didj playing.
Similar to the way in which the melt-and-dip method returns you to the
kitchen, this method will return you to your childhood (or ceramics
class).
Cut strips of beeswax from your wax block. These strips should be
around half a centimeter in thickness. Warm these strips by rubbing
them in your hands, in hot water, using a hairdrier, near a lamp etc.
Once the wax is soft and easily workable, roll the wax in your hands
to make a snake (childhood returns). Make sure the snake is the same
thickness all along. Keep rolling the snake until the length is the
same as the circumference of the pipe to which you will add it. Join
the ends to make a circle, and then work this wax ring on to the didj
mouthpiece. As the wax is soft and malleable, it should be easy to
make a comfortable fit. As the wax cools, it will of course harden.
