So much for the Profit Margin
- Thread starter John Harris
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Oh, the things we need 
Mmm, never thought of that. Much build up of material (soap) on the wheel? How are you dressing it? (Cleaning) Between uses.
You can use both hands.
You can use both hands.
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John Harris
Well-Known Member
@Ford No build up on the wheel yet, but I am just starting. It does spray soap and soda ash particles behind it, hence the towel you can see in the picture. The directions did say to use something called a "rake" to clean it.
As I was getting used to it, the wheel did "grab" a bar of soap out of my hands and threw it against the wall behind the machine. Left a ding in the still somewhat new bar. I learned from that mistake - changed my technique.
As for both hands, (LOL) - it does require focus and concentration, so I'll stick to one for now.
As I was getting used to it, the wheel did "grab" a bar of soap out of my hands and threw it against the wall behind the machine. Left a ding in the still somewhat new bar. I learned from that mistake - changed my technique.
As for both hands, (LOL) - it does require focus and concentration, so I'll stick to one for now.
ResolvableOwl
Notorious Lyear
before/after pics!!! 
Otherwise we won't know if you're serious, or just kidding.
ETA: And wrt the “profit margin” – think of that purchase not a waste (as in superfluous luxury), but an investment into perfecting your outcomes, to add uniqueness to your bars. Regardless if you aim to work economical or not, it is decided that the decision if this machine pays off or not, is not decided yet. (Oof, what a masterpiece of almost philosophical profundity
). Luxuries let you enjoy the moment, investments are a bet on prosperity in the future. What better can happen to you than both?
Otherwise we won't know if you're serious, or just kidding.
ETA: And wrt the “profit margin” – think of that purchase not a waste (as in superfluous luxury), but an investment into perfecting your outcomes, to add uniqueness to your bars. Regardless if you aim to work economical or not, it is decided that the decision if this machine pays off or not, is not decided yet. (Oof, what a masterpiece of almost philosophical profundity
). Luxuries let you enjoy the moment, investments are a bet on prosperity in the future. What better can happen to you than both?
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John Harris
Well-Known Member
@ResolvableOwl Before and after pic:
It takes less than a minute to buff the soda ash off and then rub off the soap crumbs with a dish cloth. 40 bars = 40 minutes. (I suppose I'll have to add that into labor/hour cost. More profit margin wiped out!)
It takes less than a minute to buff the soda ash off and then rub off the soap crumbs with a dish cloth. 40 bars = 40 minutes. (I suppose I'll have to add that into labor/hour cost. More profit margin wiped out!)
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I love how you bypassed the soap planer and went right to the polisher instead. Very creative thinking!
John Harris
Well-Known Member
I am probably not the best person to ask. I have a planer, but don't use it often. I just don't have the skills to make anything even or straight.
But the planer can be nice for taking off ashy tops and surfaces. I just do it over a cutting mat, and dump all the shreds and curls from that mat into a zip-top bag. When the bag gets full, everything gets melted together in an oven rebatch, and then glopped into the mold.
My rebatch bars are usually donated to the homeless shelter, but I did have one huget batch last year that looked like terrazo. Friends snatched up that stuff and have asked me to make it again. Kind of like when you make stew from random leftovers and everyone wants to recipe.
Anyway, that's my long answer about planers and soap shreds. YMMV.
But the planer can be nice for taking off ashy tops and surfaces. I just do it over a cutting mat, and dump all the shreds and curls from that mat into a zip-top bag. When the bag gets full, everything gets melted together in an oven rebatch, and then glopped into the mold.
My rebatch bars are usually donated to the homeless shelter, but I did have one huget batch last year that looked like terrazo. Friends snatched up that stuff and have asked me to make it again. Kind of like when you make stew from random leftovers and everyone wants to recipe.
Anyway, that's my long answer about planers and soap shreds. YMMV.
Hi, yes, it will grab. You have to hold your work piece. At mid point or below of the wheel.
Planer, picture of mine. Nice, lot's of work.
I use a potato peeler to bevel corners. A "sewing" finger thimble. Will help safe guard your thumb. Beveling corner's,ok. Planing every bar of soap I make. No.
Planer, picture of mine. Nice, lot's of work.
I use a potato peeler to bevel corners. A "sewing" finger thimble. Will help safe guard your thumb. Beveling corner's,ok. Planing every bar of soap I make. No.
John Harris
Well-Known Member
@Ford Nice looking soap bars, Ford! Great photography too!
Guess I could ask my patrons: "Which do you want, pretty soap? (Planed and beveled?) Or MORE soap? (Unplaned and unbeveled?)"
Anyway, it is a moot point for me at this point. I have the buffer and I'll be using that for a while. (Til I get bored, at least. ) It rounds the edges, rather than giving them a sharp, straight look. Of course, I am working with soap that is 5 or so days old. It is still pretty malleable. No telling what it would do with an older, harder bar.
Guess I could ask my patrons: "Which do you want, pretty soap? (Planed and beveled?) Or MORE soap? (Unplaned and unbeveled?)"
Anyway, it is a moot point for me at this point. I have the buffer and I'll be using that for a while. (Til I get bored, at least.
) It rounds the edges, rather than giving them a sharp, straight look. Of course, I am working with soap that is 5 or so days old. It is still pretty malleable. No telling what it would do with an older, harder bar.
