oldragbagger
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- Jun 1, 2009
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Just wanted to share with those of you sweating the mold thing..... it's not that hard to make your own. Here are the two I have built so far, the large one I just finished last night after spending countless hours scouring the internet for "the perfect solution" and being overwhelmed with the prices (not to mention mixed reviews - it's no liner, it's not no liner).
The first mold I built is for test batches, it makes 9 good sized bars.
One hinged side drops down to make removal of the loaf easier.
When the hinged side is up, you insert the screws through the ends to hold it in place. I drilled the holes oversized so the screws just slip in rather than having to be screwed in.
After awhile I decided to try a MrDoRight123 no-liner mold. $54 I think for the set of 1-2 lb. molds. They are nice, and well made and sturdy and easy to clean, but I have never been able to use these without a liner. More about my experience with these on this thread http://www.soapmakingforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10346&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=45
So when I decided it was time for a larger mold, I decided to save myself a pocketfull of green and build my own again. This large one will make 27 bars. It cost me less than $10 to make. (The small one above cost about $5.) It did take a whole day but that is okay. I work for the schools and am off for the summer. I have plenty of time, but no money so this was the perfect solution for me.
The lifting ring in the top is leftover from a boat rebuild my husband and I did years ago. It certainly isn't necessary, but it was fun to do and it looks cool. I also routed the edges. Again, not necessary, but I was having fun so what the hell.
The marks on the sides I burned into the wood so I would have a cutting reference for cutting the loafs. I can mark them with a straightedge and a stylus and then cut them with a 16" double handled cheeseknife. (See this link for a great deal on this knife http://www.bakedeco.com/detail.asp?id=11966&catid=641
I routed channels in one end so that this end slides in and out for easier removal of the loaf. I decided I preferred this to hinges.
After I have cut my loafs, I will slide them into my modified MrDoRight cutting guide and cut the bars.
I'm no carpenter. If I can do it, anyone can.
Can't wait to make my first BIG batch of soap!!!!
The first mold I built is for test batches, it makes 9 good sized bars.
One hinged side drops down to make removal of the loaf easier.
When the hinged side is up, you insert the screws through the ends to hold it in place. I drilled the holes oversized so the screws just slip in rather than having to be screwed in.
After awhile I decided to try a MrDoRight123 no-liner mold. $54 I think for the set of 1-2 lb. molds. They are nice, and well made and sturdy and easy to clean, but I have never been able to use these without a liner. More about my experience with these on this thread http://www.soapmakingforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10346&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=45
So when I decided it was time for a larger mold, I decided to save myself a pocketfull of green and build my own again. This large one will make 27 bars. It cost me less than $10 to make. (The small one above cost about $5.) It did take a whole day but that is okay. I work for the schools and am off for the summer. I have plenty of time, but no money so this was the perfect solution for me.
The lifting ring in the top is leftover from a boat rebuild my husband and I did years ago. It certainly isn't necessary, but it was fun to do and it looks cool. I also routed the edges. Again, not necessary, but I was having fun so what the hell.
The marks on the sides I burned into the wood so I would have a cutting reference for cutting the loafs. I can mark them with a straightedge and a stylus and then cut them with a 16" double handled cheeseknife. (See this link for a great deal on this knife http://www.bakedeco.com/detail.asp?id=11966&catid=641
I routed channels in one end so that this end slides in and out for easier removal of the loaf. I decided I preferred this to hinges.
After I have cut my loafs, I will slide them into my modified MrDoRight cutting guide and cut the bars.
I'm no carpenter. If I can do it, anyone can.
Can't wait to make my first BIG batch of soap!!!!
If that's what you can do for being not a carpenter, I'm interested to see what else you aren't!
