Cut 4 strips of wax paper measuring 4 inches by 37 inches. Cut 4 strips of aluminum foil measuring 3.5 inches by 36 inches.
Lay one strip of wax paper on a flat surface. Layer a strip of aluminum foil centered on the strip of wax paper. Tape a 6-inch piece of copper wire to the top, right hand corner of the foil, overlapping the foil with one inch of copper wire. The excess wire should extend above the layers.
Place alternating layers of wax paper and aluminum foil on the initial layer of wax paper and aluminum foil. Tape one end of a second 6-inch piece of copper wire to the bottom, left hand corner of the last layer of aluminum foil, overlapping the foil with one inch of copper wire. The excess wire should extend below the layers.
Roll the layers from one end to the other as tightly as possible. Wrap tape around the roll to prevent it from unraveling.
Light a candle and drip melted wax over each end of the roll to seal the capacitor. The capacitor is now ready for charging and measuring its capacitance.