cutting trick?

[Angela]

Hi everyone I haven't been on much because life is busy on the farm now. I wonder is there a trick to cutting bars nice and smooth without any drag? I have resorted to the wavy cutter because I can't get a nice smooth cut with my flat cutter. Any tips would be great. I'll thank everyone now for there help. 8)

 

[donniej]

Have you tried a wire cutter?

 

[hieroglyph]

i use a coping saw

i turn the saw blade over and file the teeth relatively smooth.

$10.00 including a plastic miter at home depot

 

[reallyrita]

From what I can figure out from reading here, a tank or guitar wire or cheese wire thingy makes a good clean cut. Meanwhile, let your block of soap sit for a few days longer before cutting. I get that drag with my straight cutter as well if I try to cut too soon. The outside of the log may be really firm but the inside is still a little sticky. It is so hard to wait to cut, but you might have better luck waiting longer before cutting....you know, while you are saving up for the tank

 

[Deda]

tanks may be spendy, but I consider one of my best investments in soapmaking. makes cutting a breeze.

 

[bodybym]

I LOVE my wire cutter - but if I don't let the soap block sit for 2 days before I cut it I get drag marks.

 

[honor435]

I use a wide "taping knife" normally used for mudding walls, i love it. Although now my hubby had made me a wood box with slots in it, thats awesome, everybar the same, and my wavy cutter fits in it too.

 

[Raksava*]

what exactly is a tank?

 

[emilaid]

You could try a wire cutter

 

[Deda]

what exactly is a tank?

http://www.forcraftssake.com/shop/index ... 536d19813a

I love mine. I can't imagine going back to slicing single bars...

 

[Catie Beth]

I use a straight cutter with a miter box that my husband attached to wood. It helps me make a nice, straight cut.

 

[tkhaney1]

I had the same problem, but it was solved when I got a "Tank." They are pricey but definitely well worth the $$!

 

[Jerry S]

cutting tips

Well, using a “tank” will do the job as you all have mentioned. But…, $300 bucks,, gulp. :cry: Well, I know I’m overlooking the fact that those that probably have one are selling their soap and it’s well worth it to have something that is fast and clean. :wink:

My bar mold is 28” long so I built a miter box 24” long, slotted so I can push the finished bar logs through and vary the length of the bars I want to cut. I use a very sharp, very thin butcher knife and I do get some drag on the harder bars but I move the knife slowly and try to cut them 10 to 15 hours after the pour or sooner if needed. I also use a very strong piece of fish line or wire with dowel handles on the softer bars like Castile.

Jerry S

 

[Healinya]

I want a tank (there's no whining smiley to insert here)

Angela - just keep going and get the hang of it. I use slicer and mitre box. Less water, an extra day or two helps. Just line the slicer right where you want it, then push straight down (I don't look at it while cutting it and find I slice straighter and smoother that way). I don't know if others do it or not, but I started rinsing my slicer off after every bar and it definately helps.... I really need a tank lol.