Super-Annoying newbie question on cutting the stuff

[rob]

Hello.

I'm quite new to the hobby, but I'm enjoying it thus far. I'm making cold-process soaps, usually with olive oil/coconut oil bases. I'm happy with the quality of soap I've made these past few attempts, but I'm frustrated b/c I've not yet figured out how to decide when to cut the soap. I've tried too early, when it was still too soft, and made a mess. I've tried too late, when it's too hard, and the result has been some shattered, brittle shrapnel that works fine but doesn't quite look right.

I've been using this calculator to come up with some recipes: http://www.soapguild.org/industry/lyecalculator.php. I've basically been doing about 2/3 olive oil and 1/3 coconut oil, and adding other nonsense (oatmeal, etc) at trace. I've been using roughly a 7% lye discount and roughly 33% of solution of distilled water (what the calc refers to as "medium"). I pour the stuff into greased 3" pvc pipe. I'm super happy with the pvc pipe as a mold; it gives me the no-frills aesthetic that I'm looking for.

Basically, since I've switched to the pvc pipe, i've had trouble sliding it out of the mold til it's pretty hard. This last time, once i slid it out of the mold, the soap was VERY hard and it shattered when i tried to cut it. I know there is probably a happy medium here, where i can slide it out of the mold without too much trouble, and then cut it without the soap breaking every which way. And, i feel confident that you old hands can probably give me some tips on how to figure out when the soap is "ready" without driving myself crazy.

fwiw, when i poured it into a rubbermaid mold, i had similar problems with the soap shattering. I'm pretty much sold on the pvc mold, and i know it can work because i've seen other ppl's final product based on this type of mold.

Thanks in advance,
-rob

ps-i'm enthused about this forum. I hope to one day be able to contribute some experience and wisdom here, once i gain some experience and wisdom.

 

[Inodoro Pereyra]

Very simple, Rob.
Once you take the soap off the mold, you put it on a sturdy table, get a big ax, raise it as high as you can and...just kidding.

I only made a few batches, so I'm anything BUT an expert, but I always cut my soaps 24 to 48 hs after pouring.
Maybe you'll be able to slide it off the mold faster, if you line the mold with freezer paper, instead of greasing it up.

Hope it helps. Welcome to the forum.

 

[rob]

Thanks for the prompt reply.

Last time, i tried to slide the log out at about 18hours, but it was too soft to budge. I fell asleep, and tried again at about 32 hours. It slid out super-easily, but wasn't cooperating with my cuts. Maybe it's a problem with my cutting method, more than the hardness of the soap? Still, it was super-hard. I don't reckon anyone could've cut it without the shattering...

 

[Inodoro Pereyra]

What are you using to cut your soap?
I use a guitar string, and, so far, never had a problem.

 

[Bigmoose]

I unmold mine after 24 hours and let them set 2 days more before I cut them.

Bruce

 

[artisan soaps]

..

 

[rob]

Thanks for the tips.

I'm a primitive beast, so i've been using a knife. I'm thinking of using something different.

I wanted to try fishing line or similar (guitar string), but as hard as my soap was, i don't think it would've worked.

I think i'm going to try again, but try to cut at exactly 24hours. The stuff has been on the rack a couple days now, and there's no way i could cut it now, i think. The thing is, i'm giving this cool soap to friends, and they like it, but they must be wondering why it's shaped like a jagged piece of flotsam.

-rob

 

[LJA]

Hey Rob!
You might also try a drywall knife from the hardware store. They work great.

 

[honor435]

thats what i use a "taping" knife they come in all sizes, love it. I cut my soap after 24 hrs, actually its less, i make at 1230, then the next morning at 6a i cut, get anxious! its still kinda soft, but very cuttable, i never leave it too long so i cant cut. welcome to the addiction.

 

[xraygrl]

Yup, a dryway taping knife at around 24 hrs should do the trick. And if you line the pvc pipe with freezer paper it should slide right out.

 

[xyxoxy]

Hi Rob...
I use PVC too and love it.

Get yourself some flexible plastic chopping mats. You can find them in any kitchen supply section of any department store. They come in packs of 4 or 5 and cost about $5 per pack.

Cut these to size and use them to line your pipe instead of greasing them. They last virtually forever. The soap will slide right out and the liner peels right off. I usually unmold at around 24 hours as long as it looks ok.

Before I built a wire cutter I would take the soap out, remove the plastic liner, slide the soap back into the pipe, and push it out an inch at a time to cut.

Hope that helps.

 

[rob]

Thank you all so much for the valuable advice. I like the idea of sliding the soap out, one inch or so at a time. That might reduce the crumbling effect, i guess. I still suspect my main problem is coming from timing, but every little method'll likely help. I'm gonna get a taping knife, and try some of those liners, with the next batch. I like the idea of lining the mold, but i don't like to waste stuff needlessly. If the cutting mats are totally reusable, that'll do nicely.

-rob

 

[valor]

What are you using to cut your soap?
I use a guitar string, and, so far, never had a problem.

I have never thought of using my strings for that, but I am keen to try now. Which string do you use? High E, B or G? I would think that the lower strings would be too big, besides being coiled.

 

[Inodoro Pereyra]

What are you using to cut your soap?
I use a guitar string, and, so far, never had a problem.

I have never thought of using my strings for that, but I am keen to try now. Which string do you use? High E, B or G? I would think that the lower strings would be too big, besides being coiled.

I bought a set at wal mart. So far, I only used the first (.010), but I'm planning on using the second (.013), and maybe the third (.017) when I need them. As per the fourth, I already took of the coiled wire, and it's a .013 inside, so I will also use it in the future.
You can use 2 pencils, as artisan said, or, if you're as clumsy as I am, make a frame and stretch it on it. I made mine on the style of a 19th century logging saw, just because it's easy to do, light and very sturdy (and I had some extra wood lying around), but you can even use an old hacksaw, or whatever you can find.
Here's mine.

Hope it helps

 

[valor]

[quote="Inodoro Pereyra":21klorij]What are you using to cut your soap?
I use a guitar string, and, so far, never had a problem.

I have never thought of using my strings for that, but I am keen to try now. Which string do you use? High E, B or G? I would think that the lower strings would be too big, besides being coiled.

I bought a set at wal mart. So far, I only used the first (.010), but I'm planning on using the second (.013), and maybe the third (.017) when I need them. As per the fourth, I already took of the coiled wire, and it's a .013 inside, so I will also use it in the future.
You can use 2 pencils, as artisan said, or, if you're as clumsy as I am, make a frame and stretch it on it. I made mine on the style of a 19th century logging saw, just because it's easy to do, light and very sturdy (and I had some extra wood lying around), but you can even use an old hacksaw, or whatever you can find.
Here's mine.

Hope it helps [/quote:21klorij]

Wow that is awesome! Thanks for sharing your methods. I'm going to have to enlist the hubby to help me fashion something because my soap slices are all over the place. Thanks again!!!

(Sorry for hi-jacking the thread)

 

[Inodoro Pereyra]

Wow that is awesome! Thanks for sharing your methods.

You're welcome. It's my pleasure to share them.

(Sorry for hi-jacking the thread)

Well, it's still cutting stuff..., so we're not hijacking...right??? :shock:

 

[xyxoxy]

Old Hacksaw??!!!
Why didn't I think of that?!! That's brilliant.

My wire cutter is a bit more involved so I won't go into the details since I had to enlist the help of my Dad to actually get it built. But I will say that I used high strength fishing line which is actually a coated steel wire. And since it is fishing wire I assume it is safe to get it wet.

I had it lying around so I can't tell you if it is more or less expensive than guitar wire but it's another option to check out when you are shopping.

 

[Guest]

The hacksaw idea is totally fantastic . Cutting soap is my very least favorite part of soap making , cause I am terrible at it

Kitn

 

[Inodoro Pereyra]

Old Hacksaw??!!!
Why didn't I think of that?!! That's brilliant.

My wire cutter is a bit more involved so I won't go into the details since I had to enlist the help of my Dad to actually get it built. But I will say that I used high strength fishing line which is actually a coated steel wire. And since it is fishing wire I assume it is safe to get it wet.

I had it lying around so I can't tell you if it is more or less expensive than guitar wire but it's another option to check out when you are shopping.

That's actually a great option...that as an addicted fisherman I'm ashamed to say I didn't know about.

I'm gonna see if wal mart has it.

By the way, Xyxoxy, I've seen your cutter in another thread. That thing is unbelievable. Thanks for the tip.

 

[oldragbagger]

I used pvc pipe lined with heavy parchment paper and it worked great. I have been using the plastic cutting mats ($3.00 for 3 at Wal-Mart) and they work nice but after a couple of uses the heat warps them and they become kind of wavy.

With parchment or freezer paper, you don't have to tape or anything, just roll a bit so there will be some overlap and slide it into the pipe. When you start pouring the soap (do it at light trace or use a large canning funnel) it will spread out against the sides. The soap will slide out very easily whenever you are ready!!