Hanger swirl tool - any DIY tools?

[kniquy]

I recently watched some BB videos making the swirl technique - It looked super cool so I was wondering if anyone has made their own hanger swirl tool from items at home. I am guessing our traditional metal hangers would not be a good idea because it would react.

It isn't that expensive on BB but if i could make one myself for nothing that is certainly better.

 

[amd]

Gear ties at walmart work well.

 

[Marilyn Norgart]

I just made one this morning and am impatiently waiting for the soap to come out of hiding from the towels. I actually had a hanger that was coated in plastic so I bent it to fit

 

[jcandleattic]

I have a 5lb mold that my plastic hangers fit down into perfectly, so I use that for that mold, and gear ties for the smaller molds I have.

 

[KiwiMoose]

Yes - a hanger
I bent it to fit. Had to look around to find actual plastic coated wire though - hard to find these days. Ended up buying 12 of them, that was the minimum purchase.

 

[IrishLass]

I use my own hangers, bent to fit each of my molds. Some are coated in plastic and some are bare metal. Those of them that are bare metal, I wrap around the metal with strips of Glad-brand Press'n Seal wrap, which sticks very well to the hangers as well as to itself. Works like a charm.


IrishLass

 

[Zing]

Gear tie from Home Depot, the handles from broken pails, hangers. Have fun swirling!

 

[shunt2011]

I did the same as IL per her recommendation quite some time ago. I now have a gear tie as well for my standard mold. I forget about them most times though. I use mostly a chopstick (plastic).

 

[lucycat]

I purchased one several years ago like those Nurture sells. I love it because it is easier for me to manage the swirl in the log. The handle makes it easier for me in a thick batter and its sturdy frame keeps me from making a mess all over my work space compared to a simple tie/wire.

 

[soapmaker]

I did the same as IL per her recommendation quite some time ago. I now have a gear tie as well for my standard mold. I forget about them most times though. I use mostly a chopstick (plastic).

I'm trying to figure out how you would use a chopstick?

 

[kniquy]

OP here - I appreciate all your ideas! I came across another idea -- you use a metal wire hanger and slide it through plastic tubing such as you would use for connecting the waterline for a fridge.

I know i have some plastic coated metal hangars at home, but i'd be worried that there might be a crack in the plastic that i don't see and I'd end up with some sort of reaction with the metal and the soap.

It seems like this should work out and I know i have some hanging around at home.

 

[soapmaker]

Just a question for those who have experience with this swirl...is it better to use thin wire? or plastic hangers that have no wire in them but are thicker? I'm wondering if thick or thin would make a noticeable difference.

 

[IrishLass]

I used to "beef up' my wire hangers with either plastic straws or with bamboo skewers taped securely to the hangers, but I removed them all after watching Ione from Eve's Garden Soaps make the most beautiful flowery hanger swirls with just a regular wire hanger still in its triangular shape. The soap pictured in my avatar is a soap I swirled with just such a plain wire hanger (wrapped tightly with Glad Press n Seal to line over the wire). Here's a bigger version of it to see the swirls up close:

The swirls I use to make with my 'beefed up' hangers always came out nice enough, but never as pretty as the swirls I make with my skinny wire hangers. I confess I'm really partial to my skinny hangers.


IrishLass

 

[Marilyn Norgart]

beautiful!!!!

 

[Obsidian]

I use a metal hanger with plastic tubing over it. You use aquarium airline tubing and slide it over the hanger wire.
Protects the wire, easy to clean and is a nice size. Plus its cheap.

 

[Marilyn Norgart]

I watched a couple of her videos WOW

 

[soapmaker]

Irish Lass, that is the prettiest soap I have ever seen, colours and all.

 

[soapmaker]

View attachment 35688

The swirls I use to make with my 'beefed up' hangers always came out nice enough, but never as pretty as the swirls I make with my skinny wire hangers. I confess I'm really partial to my skinny hangers.


IrishLass

Do you mind sharing how you poured and how you used the hanger?

 

[IrishLass]

Do you mind sharing how you poured and how you used the hanger?

Not at all! I have a step-by-step description here: https://www.soapmakingforum.com/threads/my-latest-ione-swirl-attempt.60903/#post-610656


IrishLass

 

[soapmaker]

Not at all! I have a step-by-step description here: https://www.soapmakingforum.com/threads/my-latest-ione-swirl-attempt.60903/#post-610656


IrishLass

Thanks, that's quite a process! But I have been searching in vain for her cherry blossom tutorial.