The lye guy

[mx5inpenn]

I know many people order from him. Is it really cost effective for anyone not buying a lot? It looks like minimum shipping is $13. That really ups the cost and I could buy up to 4# locally for a better price. I typically Mb a couple pounds at a time.

 

[The Efficacious Gentleman]

It sounds like it wouldn't work out for you with the shipping. I don't know how it comes packed, but could you order a lot and decant it?

 

[Steve85569]

If there is an Ace Hardware store near you try them in the drain cleaner section. You may need to explain to them why you want the lye. I bribe the local folks with soap. They have become very helpful like" I can get more from the back room" helpful.

 

[mx5inpenn]

Ace is where I usually buy it. Just trying to find a better price and everyone seems to like the lye guy. He's located about 3 hours from me and has great pricing on local pickup (10# for $15). Not sure I would ever want to drive 6 hours for just lye tho.

 

[Arimara]

Ace is where I usually buy it. Just trying to find a better price and everyone seems to like the lye guy. He's located about 3 hours from me and has great pricing on local pickup (10# for $15). Not sure I would ever want to drive 6 hours for just lye tho.

If you do, make it a mini vacation. That part of NY is nice, when not getting hit with snow squalls and unexpected blizzards. There are still a few events that they have about an hour or so away. It's better to think about it during the warmer months after pollen time.

 

[mx5inpenn]

It is a lovely area. As a child I was near there every summer. My parents go to Palmyra regularly so perhaps I can convince them to drive a little further on one of the trips

 

[Soapsense]

Before I bought my Lye, from the Lye Guy, I used to get it at Lowe's. It was a decent price.

 

[Susie]

Lowe's charges an arm and a leg here.

I do not make enough soap that the prices of The Lye Guy make sense with that shipping. It is getting close, though. If I bought one more bottle, it would come out even. But I am more than doubling what I normally order from ED, which is who I get my lyes from now. I just try to be sure to get KOH while I am getting NaOH to make it come out better on the shipping charges.

 

[Kamahido]

It's more or less about location. For me Bulk Apothecary's 50 lb bucket is the best value as they are just a state over.

 

[CaraBou]

As a hobby soaper, I don't mess with the bulk quantities of NaOH necessary for getting a good internet deal. My local Ace sells a pound for $4, which is cheap enough for me. I'm sure I could save money over the long run if I ordered it, but storage is a bigger issue to me. I never keep more than a few pounds on hand.

 

[earlene]

As a hobby soaper, I don't mess with the bulk quantities of NaOH necessary for getting a good internet deal. My local Ace sells a pound for $4, which is cheap enough for me. I'm sure I could save money over the long run if I ordered it, but storage is a bigger issue to me. I never keep more than a few pounds on hand.

Wow, a pound for $4.00 sounds like a very good price! I wish I could find such a good price.

 

[mx5inpenn]

As a hobby soaper, I don't mess with the bulk quantities of NaOH necessary for getting a good internet deal. My local Ace sells a pound for $4, which is cheap enough for me. I'm sure I could save money over the long run if I ordered it, but storage is a bigger issue to me. I never keep more than a few pounds on hand.

This is where I have been. I guess I'm considering future usage more than anything. I've been making soap for about 2 years now and was comfortable giving a lot away as gifts this year for Christmas. I've been asked by a number of people if they can buy more and they are amazed I don't sell it. I don't have a problem gifting more for now, but thinking maybe 2018 that will change. The feedback from the swap will be a determining factor

 

[Susie]

This is where I have been. I guess I'm considering future usage more than anything. I've been making soap for about 2 years now and was comfortable giving a lot away as gifts this year for Christmas. I've been asked by a number of people if they can buy more and they are amazed I don't sell it. I don't have a problem gifting more for now, but thinking maybe 2018 that will change. The feedback from the swap will be a determining factor

This is where I was 3 months ago. The feedback from the swap will be the final kick over the wall one way or another. The brilliant cat litter/5 gallon bucket storage solution works so well that I can take advantage of the savings of buying more. But I am already using so much more NaOH that I need more on hand.

By the way, I am SO jealous of y'all's ACE hardware lye at $4.00!!!

 

[Marshall]

Amazon sells it as well.. I am still fairly new to soaping and have only made my way through about 5 lbs of lye but this is what I purchased.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01C1QJ8O4/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

5 lbs for $20 with free shipping. Seems reasonable?

 

[mx5inpenn]

This is where I was 3 months ago. The feedback from the swap will be the final kick over the wall one way or another. The brilliant cat litter/5 gallon bucket storage solution works so well that I can take advantage of the savings of buying more. But I am already using so much more NaOH that I need more on hand.

By the way, I am SO jealous of y'all's ACE hardware lye at $4.00!!!

I will be trying the bucket method in the spring. My parents aren't going to be near the lye guy until then, but will pick up 10# for me next time they go.

 

[mx5inpenn]

5 lbs for $20 with free shipping. Seems reasonable?

It is reasonable, but I get instant gratification for the same price locally.

I am at a point where I need to figure out how low I can get my costs to see if it would be worthwhile to sell. I am having to price everything since I haven't tracked it at all as a hobbyist. I am also looking at oils in bulk and fo and micas in larger quantities.