Apparatus and method for installing wicking in candles

An apparatus for automatically installing wicking in a candle body, comprising, a movable support for a candle body, a bore forming station for forming a generally axial opening in an associated candle body when mounted on said support, a clean-out station including a reciprocable heated member for cleaning out the opening formed in the candle body, a feed station for moving a generally rigidified strand of wicking through the formed opening in the candle body, said clean-out station being disposed intermediate said forming station and said feed station for cleaning out the opening formed in the candle body prior to movement of the latter to said feed station, said feed station including cutting means for sequentially severing a measured amount of wicking supplied at said feed station, and means for automatically moving said candle body support from said forming station to and from said cleaning station and thence to said feed station.