Wooden Mold. Hinge VS Hanger Bolt design.

Guywithsoap? · Feb 2, 2012

I have been considering making a wooden soap mold.

I have a few questions for those who have made one or use one.

The design I am thinking about uses hinges to keep the sides up. Then wingnuts& bolts to hold the top pieces together.

Something like this:

http://backtobasicliving.com/blog/make-your-own-soap-mold/

However I was reading a few threads here which said that the hinge method created gaps, spaces, etc... and was not ideal.

I then took a look at this video: The man uses hanger bolts instead. no hinges.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yog0-s9OsDA[/ame]

Anyone have any thoughts about the different designs?

Thanks

ToniD · Feb 2, 2012

My husband made mine so that the side comes off--he used hanger bolts and wing nuts. It made a nice tight edge.

However, I found that I didn't really need the side to come off. I could just life the freezer paper liner right out of the mold and unfold. It might depend on how you line. We used freezer paper folded around a form like wrapping a box and then slipped into the mold. So when he made me another mold, I just asked for a box without any removable sides.

Soapy Gurl · Feb 2, 2012

Mine has wooden pegs that hold in the side. Two on each side. I really like how it works. I personally wouldn't want an attached side. Sometimes I have had to turn the mold on its side to get the soap out.

dcornett · Feb 2, 2012

Like ToniD, I made mine with hangerbolts and wing nuts like the second video, but I made mine so the side would come away too. I really like mine.

Rob K · Feb 2, 2012

I've made log molds with hinges, hanger bolts, and pegs... Hinges don't fit tight, wing nuts on hanger bolts stick out and catch on things, and pegs either loosen up when you don't want them to, or stick when you do. As long as you line your mold, all these construction methods turn out to be just complicated ways of solving a non-existent problem.

In the end, a simple screwed together box is all you need... As long as you don't glue the sides on, you can always take one side off for the rare (hopefully!) times when you have a problem and need to take it apart to get the log out. Plus they are a lot easier and faster to make!

Good luck!

CandleLaneCo · Feb 4, 2012

I have a hindged mold. Fits nice and tight. You can try making it with piano hinge. Try wing nuts or bungy straps to hold the mold closed.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CsyCp6N6Gg&feature=related"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CsyCp6N ... re=related[/ame]

dirrdee · Feb 4, 2012

first ones I made was with dowels so I could take it apart, but it was kind of a pain so I just screwed it together and use the parchment paper to lift it out...never had any trouble this way, but my molds are small 7" long too, so if they are big you may want to have a drop side.

BakingNana · Feb 4, 2012

I definitely did not like the peg type. It functioned fine, but was just loose enough to give the soap a trapezoid sort of shape. Wouldn't bug most people, but it bugs me. I like straight sides. Most of mine have wing nuts and bolts, or no removable side at all.

HutCar92 · Feb 7, 2012

All 6 of my molds are hinged with the carriage bolts on the ends. In reality tho I never unhinge them, I just loosen the bolts and pull on the paper and lift my log out. I guess maybe I could store them flatish because of the hinges, but I just stack them, haha

Wooden Mold. Hinge VS Hanger Bolt design.

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