Green Horns

[Dr_sudz]

Hello there, I am as new to this forum as I am to making soap. I am very much a hands on DIY project kind of guy, and a buddy of mine just got me into wet shaving. This is what has led me to the idea of making soaps. I would love to make my own shaving soap, and would like to get my feet wet so to speak with making a nice bath soap as well.
I will be cruising around here getting ideas until I can settle on a good first soap to make. If anyone has a suggestion I would love to hear it. I am thinking of making my own lye, however I might try the store bought crystals to start. Haven't quite decided yet. Thanks for having me here, I look forward to sharing ideas and projects.

 

[shunt2011]

Hello and welcome. I would highly recommend starting with a basic recipe that you can make with store bought items. Olive, Lard & Coconut 50, 30, 20% would work for starters Also, start with smallish batches, not more than 2 lbs.

Store bought lye works great. Just make sure it says 100% lye.

Make sure you have a good scale and I highly recommend weighing in grams for the most accuracy.

Otherwise, welcome to the addiction. It's a lot of fun and there is a lot of information as well as many really nice and helpful folks here.

 

[Dr_sudz]

I would really like to try a tallow soap, I was wondering how you figure out how much lye you end up needing? and thanks for the tip of 100% lye

 

[MzMolly65]

Welcome .. you're in good hands here, there are a few fellas who've made shaving soap with great success.

 

[Seawolfe]

I would really like to try a tallow soap, I was wondering how you figure out how much lye you end up needing? and thanks for the tip of 100% lye

Get thee to http://www.soapcalc.net/calc/SoapCalcWP.asp
And play around with that.

And welcome to the forum

 

[lsg]

Here is a great recipe:

http://www.soapmakingforum.com/showthread.php?t=34264

 

[roseb]

Welcome! Tallow will make a nice hard soap. Good luck and let us know what you come up with.

 

[eyeroll]

I love tallow. It makes a great bar soap.

 

[Sinful7]

I would really like to try a tallow soap, I was wondering how you figure out how much lye you end up needing? and thanks for the tip of 100% lye

Always use a lye calculator. If you change your oils from the recipe check it again. Each oil is different and can make a big difference in the amount of lye needed

 

[The Efficacious Gentleman]

I must admit, no matter who it was that gave me a recipe, be it the newest member or the longest standing super soaper, I would always check it myself in a soapcalc. Mis-types can happen! Plus, it's good practice to use a calc and see what is what...............

 

[Dr_sudz]

thanks Seawolfe I have been looking over that soap thread and am very interested in trying it.

Thank you all for all the tips, I am going to start a new thread to help answer a few questions that have come up while pondering things over.