Mould making - what are some home made moulds that you use?

[RogueRose]

I'm looking at getting into making some candles in addition to soap. I have experience in both and I know the hassles of making candles.

In the past I have used different size dixie cups which has worked out pretty well as well as mason jars, but those are a little expensive if not being reused.

I bought some votive molds and had problems with them releasing properly at times as well as some pillar molds which can be tough to get to slide out of the mold.

What I get confused about with the votive candle molds is the wick insert that comes with it (has a round base with a narrow diameter rod about the height of the votive mold). I don't know when to use this, as I have read conflicting stories.

For anyone with some good ideas I have more time than $$ and am pretty good at making things. I have lots of aluminum flashing which can be rolled into cylinders or folded into cubes. I can also make moulds out of ABS plastic sheets if that is an option.

So I'm just curious as to what you people do for molds or if you just buy them.

 

[lsg]

I have found that buying molds is almost as cheap as buying the mold materials and making them yourself. Unless you want a unique design, then I would opt for purchasing the molds.

 

[Chefmom]

Unless you are making specialty shapes, buying aluminum molds is so much easier! If you want to make your own, silicone is probably your best bed.

As for the votives, what you describe sounds like a wick pin. You set it inside the votive mold and pour the wax, usually following up with a second pour. Then when the candle is fully set up you can easily pull the candle out with the wick pin and then push it through, leaving the hole in the center. Then a pre tabbed wick can be inserted for easy wicking. My first votives, I tried to put the wick on the tab in the center and THEN pour, and tried to keep the wick standing upright.....um.....major fails. I ONLY make votives with wick pins now, so much easier.