I made my first mold

[Thomas S]

Hello all I made my first HDPE mold.
Size: 2.5x3.25x18
Objective was not to use any rubber bands, velcro, nuts etc.
The way I made it it all locks its self as you assemble.
I guess my woodworking skills helped.

Any opinions greatly appreciated.

 

[MrsFusion]

Cool, looks good! Now we need pics of soap in it and then cut pics

 

[Thomas S]

This was made for friend soaper. I am seeking advice here how to make it right so she would be happy.

 

[Jerry S]

making your own mold

Hey Tom that mold looks great and you're very innovative to design it so that its sort of self locking....what did you make it out of??? looks like some type of silicone material. Would you mind sharing?
Jerry S

 

[Thomas S]

HDPE has little branching, giving it stronger intermolecular forces and tensile strength than lower-density polyethylene. The difference in strength exceeds the difference in density, giving HDPE a higher specific strength.[2] It is also harder and more opaque and can withstand somewhat higher temperatures (120 °C/ 248 °F for short periods, 110 °C /230 °F continuously).

 

[pure&simple]

Thomas,

your mold is exactly what I've been looking into making, or at least have it made for me. I just want a simple no bolts, screws, hinges, etc. type of mold. How did you make the crevices or what ever it's called, to fit the pieces together? Especially at the base.

 

[Bubbles Galore]

That's brilliant Thomas. You're very innovative. Well done. :wink:

 

[Dennis]

You made a puzzle! Love it. Where did you get the hdpe? Local? Online? Very nice. I would love to build a couple of those.

 

[Deda]

Thomas,

your mold is exactly what I've been looking into making, or at least have it made for me. I just want a simple no bolts, screws, hinges, etc. type of mold. How did you make the crevices or what ever it's called, to fit the pieces together? Especially at the base.

Google: dado blade. (my DH makes banjos in his wood shop)

Nice job Thomas!

 

[Pepper]

Brilliant! You've certainly put a lot of thought into it, and it looks ideal.

 

[Thomas S]

As I have mentioned above I used my woodworking skills.
I have CNC rounter, I have done design in AutoCAD and machined all on my router. This can also be done on table saw or router table. You need to watch out to keep all your fingers, I have 8 1/2 of them after 20 years of woodwork.

HDPE I purchased with one of vendors I work with on my regular 9-5 job.
My router work is kinda side job. Now I am thinking about mold with that once you pull out individually molded soaps they will have custom logo on them rather than stampings.

 

[Thomas S]

Thomas,

your mold is exactly what I've been looking into making, or at least have it made for me. I just want a simple no bolts, screws, hinges, etc. type of mold. How did you make the crevices or what ever it's called, to fit the pieces together? Especially at the base.

Google: dado blade. (my DH makes banjos in his wood shop)

Nice job Thomas!

Yes that can be used. As you work with any type of plastics you need to use correct RPMs on cutter and feedrate otherwise plastic will start melting and bind not giving clean cuts.

 

[Dixie]

Very clever! I love it! the only thing I would add is a -1/4" lip so you can slide the soap out exactly to the edge of that lip and then using the mold as a straight guide to cut off the bar. (just an idea for you)

 

[Thomas S]

Very clever! I love it! the only thing I would add is a -1/4" lip so you can slide the soap out exactly to the edge of that lip and then using the mold as a straight guide to cut off the bar. (just an idea for you)

Thanks good one. I was thinking about several types of cutters, stainless steel single cutter and loaf cutter to cut entire piece all one shot.

Maybe I should figure out entire line of products with your help and start making those.
I will tell you one thing HDPE material is not cheap.

 

[dcornett]

You did an awesome job, your friend will be very pleased!

 

[Thomas S]

Since I have been asked to do couple of molds and other things for soap making I have been brain farting lately sine I have not done it before myself.

 

[longlasting]

Your soap mold looks real nice. I have questions for you. Is it made from a cutting board. And how thick. Does it open easy to remove your soap loaf.. :?:
Thanks for sharing
LL

 

[pure&simple]

Very clever! I love it! the only thing I would add is a -1/4" lip so you can slide the soap out exactly to the edge of that lip and then using the mold as a straight guide to cut off the bar. (just an idea for you)

Thanks good one. I was thinking about several types of cutters, stainless steel single cutter and loaf cutter to cut entire piece all one shot.

Maybe I should figure out entire line of products with your help and start making those.
I will tell you one thing HDPE material is not cheap.

Thomas,

What price range is exactly 'not cheap'? I've tried looking for HDPE in France but I can't find it and nobody seems to know what I'm talking about. (unless my french is so bad that no one REALLY knows what I'm talking about :cry: )

 

[Dennis]

Google HDPE and you will find it. Also check ebay. Just as a for instance, here are some thicknesses and prices I found on the net. All prices are for a 54" x 96" sheet in varying thicknesses from 1/4" to 1". No doubt you can find smaller pieces at varying prices. Still, it ain't cheap!

.250
KS-3290
$183.96

.375
KS-3291
$277.98

.500
KS-3292
$367.92

.625
KS-3293
$461.94

.750
KS-3294
$551.88

1.000
KS-3295
$735.84

 

[pure&simple]

Google HDPE and you will find it. Also check ebay. Just as a for instance, here are some thicknesses and prices I found on the net. All prices are for a 54" x 96" sheet in varying thicknesses from 1/4" to 1". No doubt you can find smaller pieces at varying prices. Still, it ain't cheap!

.250
KS-3290
$183.96

.375
KS-3291
$277.98

.500
KS-3292
$367.92

.625
KS-3293
$461.94

.750
KS-3294
$551.88

1.000
KS-3295
$735.84

Thanks for the price quotes. I think I'll have to stick to wooden molds. :cry: