Question? Please Help!!

[JessicaB903]

I did a search but couldn't find anything really for my question so I thought I'd just ask. I was looking through pictures and I realized that some folks have some really beautiful soaps with flat surfaces and edges. I want my soaps to look like that, but I can't figure out how to do it. I've only made 6 batches so maybe its just something that comes with practice, but if there is a technique that makes it easier please let me in on it

I have used both a pvc pipe and a wooden log mold that DH made for me and both had small dents and uneven edges. So is it that I cut too soon? Maybe if I wait another day to unmold and cut?

Anyway any tips are appreciated!!

This is what I want to happen :
http://soapmakingforum.com/forum/viewto ... mp&start=0

This is what actually happens:
http://soapmakingforum.com/forum/viewto ... 763#245763

 

[Cuckoo Bananas]

It is just how they have been cut. All the sides have probably been trimmed or it's gone through a big fancy uniform cutter

 

[MissMori]

Wire cutter.

Watch this video... not only beautiful column swirl, but she cuts the soap with a wire cutter. First into uniform chunks, then into bars and finally you see a shot of a bar with the top 1/8" trimmed off. After curing, the bars can be buffed a bit to take off any stray bits of soap. Some soap makers buff the entire bar for a smooth surface.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmaM8Q25Iwk"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmaM8Q25Iwk[/ame]

 

[IrishLass]

I've found that the smoothness and squareness/straightness of a mold plays a big part, as well as the liner. With those 2 foundations in place, all you need is a ruler, a sharp knife, and a steady hand to make straight (or nearly straight), even cuts- or else a soap cutter as MissMori pointed out.

I have wooden molds with mylar liners that I hand-cut to fit and I get perfectly defined edges just like in the picture you posted, only I don't like my edges to be so sharp all that much. I bevel them to make them more rounded so that my soap feels more comfortable in my hand.

Another tool that helps is a soap planer to trim off dented or unsightly edges.


IrishLass

 

[Fragola]

My 2 cents, low budget cutter is merely a piece of wire, and this is the result:

Still working on getting all the edges straight, and making progress with baby steps. My hand is not that steady, but I still get better results than with the knife.

By the way, this is also whipped soap, and the recipe said that you must use wire to cut it neatly.

The top and sides were not smooth from the mold and I trimmed them. I guess you need to pour your soap at relatively light trace to achieve smooth sides.

 

[dOttY]

My hubby finally made me a cutting box/guide this weekend

It's basic, and only cuts one bar at a time, but I'm not going into mass production, LoL, so this works fantastically!

The cutter is a coping saw with the blade removed, and replaced with wire (thin fence tie wire)

 

[Fragola]

Is it for sale ?

 

[busymakinsoap!]

I think the original picture posted is either with individual molds, or with a slab mold with dividers in it. Both are readily available.

Ive used slab molds (or rather a wooden box) and cut with a wire and hard as I try, I couldnt get it to look that smooth. I'm saving up for a mold with dividers

 

[Bubbles Galore]

My hubby finally made me a cutting box/guide this weekend

It's basic, and only cuts one bar at a time, but I'm not going into mass production, LoL, so this works fantastically!

The cutter is a coping saw with the blade removed, and replaced with wire (thin fence tie wire)

That's all you need Dotty. Did you give hubby a big kiss?

 

[dOttY]

Fragola, LoL.... erm, ummm... nope Very easily made though!

BG/Jenny.... no! I didn't give him a big kiss, LoL! I did that a little while back when he made my wooden log moulds!

 

[JessicaB903]

I had tried to make one like that when we made our molds, but unfortunately neither my husband or I are very good and being handy so the wire loosened up as soon as I tried to use it lol. I may have to invest either in a cutter or a mold with dividers! Thanks everyone