Your favorite Loaf Mold Design??

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AngelMomma

AngelMomma

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I am going to make a couple of loaf molds for myself. Maybe with a bit of help from Superman. But the more I got to thinking about it, the more questions I have to be answered. Like what wood is going to last the longest and not warp? What thickness of wood? (I don't want it to have excess weight if not needed) What design is going to be efficient, and long lasting with regards to sides that remove etc. Nails or screws, hinges or hooks? Dimensions? Batch sizes/Mold sizes? :D:D:DThis should be fun. I will ponder a bit more before diving in. If you have a favorite design, size, opinion or youtube video I would love to read your comments. I'm just too tight to buy one outright. Besides Superman and his Dad just went and bought a saw with a laser light on it :clap: that should make it even more fun to make, lol.
 
This is the mold my Mister made me. I'm pretty happy with it.

It holds 12 pounds, has adjustable dividers so you can make any size recipe. It's piano-hinged on two sides, and the other two remove completely. Its bottom surface is approximately 12x12, and I can use it as a slab mold when I remove all the dividers. The wood is just thin enough not to insulate the soaps when I want to avoid gel, and it's thick enough not to buckle.

If you never make large batches, this design is too large to be practical, but I like that I have the option. I think the wood is just scrap plywood.

http://www.soapmakingforum.com/f11/great-mold-experiment-its-results-pics-30474/

http://www.soapmakingforum.com/f22/my-balls-30997/
 
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My father in law used this pattern to make mine-it holds 5 pounds of soap. He used walnut because he's a woodworker and had left over scraps, but you probably could use anything if you line them with plastic of freezer paper (what I have done). http://www.lowescreativeideas.com/idea-library/projects/Easy_to_Make_Soap_Molds_0811.aspx Also, I didn't have him make the lid-I just covered the soap with a piece of plastic wrap to reduce soda ash on the tops with a bit of cardboard that fit in top.
 
Watch at about the 35 second mark of this video, I still think this is one of the cleverest molds with removable sides that I have ever seen, and if I decide at some point I need new log molds, I am going to find someone that can build this for me.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mSg-OQ51hM[/ame]
 
AngelMomma said:
I also have been thinking of these acrylic molds. Our local ACE hardware has Plexi-glass. It looks like this acrylic. But I wonder if it is as sturdy or would hold up to the heat. I also like the design/ way it can be taken apart. Supplies for this would of course be more than plain wood.


http://www.soap-making-resource.com/acrylic-soap-molds.html#5poundacrylicmold
Click to expand...

STAY AWAY!!! I don't have those exact ones, but I have acrylic ones from somewhere else, same exact design/construction. I only managed to do 4 batches in one before it warped completely. The sides are totally bowed and it's a bugger to screw together now. Plus if I use it I have to make sure to line it otherwise it leaks (doesn't fit tightly on the bottom anymore and there's a gap). Waste of money!

My sister in law's boyfriend made the molds I have now. Looks almost exactly like this : http://www.etsy.com/listing/1057621...type=gallery&ga_ship_to=ZZ&ga_search_type=all

Super easy to use! I'm getting him to make me a few different sizes.
 
Hausfrau007 said:
This is the mold my Mister made me. I'm pretty happy with it.

It holds 12 pounds, has adjustable dividers so you can make any size recipe. It's piano-hinged on two sides, and the other two remove completely. Its bottom surface is approximately 12x12, and I can use it as a slab mold when I remove all the dividers. The wood is just thin enough not to insulate the soaps when I want to avoid gel, and it's thick enough not to buckle.

If you never make large batches, this design is too large to be practical, but I like that I have the option. I think the wood is just scrap plywood.

http://www.soapmakingforum.com/f11/great-mold-experiment-its-results-pics-30474/

http://www.soapmakingforum.com/f22/my-balls-30997/
Click to expand...


I like the adjustability of the mold your mister made you, but I don't think my back could handle hefting that much around. I think I will aim for 3.5 to 5lbs.
 
Velveeta Cheese box. I've bought a used vintage one (not real cheap) because unless I ran a daycare or held wine & Velveeta parties regularly, couldn't justify all that cheese bought every time I wanted to do a batch of soap. & I just don't know if the cardboard box the cheese comes in would reasonably hold up for more than one batch so plastic is better.

I know WSP and Brambleberry BB have loaf molds. Sometimes I look at those then I look at the nice individual ones and find myself really at sea trying to decide on something to be the thing I use and stick to.
 
I have $22.00 worth of supplies. :-D Our design plan came together in the aisle of Lowe's, lol. We looked at your suggestions and a couple we found, then considered what was in front of us at the store........first attempt to be made tomorrow. It was a 'no go' for tonight, as I had to assist Superman while he installed our new microwave (over the stove on the wall) YAY! Birthday/Christmas present for us both from both our parental units. We are just too pooped to get the saw out of the back of his vehicle!

Since this is our first attempt at making a loaf mold I opted for wood that wasn't too pricey. I found pieces that were already cut into 24inch lengths and on the labels they are marked 'craft'. Well, we will craft away. I got enough for the mold and a lid with handle. Pieces include......
2 (1/2x4x24)Clear pine
2 (3/8x4x24)Clear pine
2 (1/2x6x24)Clear pine
2 (6in) threaded rods
4 washers
4 wing nuts
4 pk of handles (I guess that means I get to make 3 more molds!)

Well its off to dreamland and tomorrow I will have more soapy fun.
 
Good for you! I'm excited for you, and of course you must take pictures for us, before, during and after!! :)

It doesn't matter what wood you use,in fact, the cheaper the better. Your toxic soap sludge is going to splatter all over it, no matter how well you line it, and who wants to ruin expensive walnut??
 
hellogorgeous said:
STAY AWAY!!! I don't have those exact ones, but I have acrylic ones from somewhere else, same exact design/construction. I only managed to do 4 batches in one before it warped completely. The sides are totally bowed and it's a bugger to screw together now. Plus if I use it I have to make sure to line it otherwise it leaks (doesn't fit tightly on the bottom anymore and there's a gap). Waste of money!

My sister in law's boyfriend made the molds I have now. Looks almost exactly like this : http://www.etsy.com/listing/1057621...type=gallery&ga_ship_to=ZZ&ga_search_type=all

Super easy to use! I'm getting him to make me a few different sizes.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the heads up about the acrylic. I did price it out last night. The surface is very smooth indeed. But the price is prohibitive. Especially when there is a possibility for a warping issue like you suggested and the whole thing being a bust!

I certainly will be taking pictures.
 
This what the basic supplies look like. With the exception of switching out 2 of the 4 inch for 6 inch width. And I decided to get a prettier handle :smile: We have been rediculously busy. Finishing up a facelift on one of the rental houses so some tenants can move in tomorrow. But I did manage to squeeze a little time in late last night. The mold is done except for one cut on the side boards. We needed a CLAMP. And when its almost midnight, and you still have to paint two little girls rooms a light cotton candy pink......you just can't run around town to go get it. We left the mold over there at the rental and Superman is getting the clamp when he picks up his Dad already this morning. So when I go over to help finish up it should be complete.

2013-01-04_19-43-01_91.jpg
 
So the only cut left to be made is on the removable long sides. You might be able to see the line drawn for it. I am able to tighten the sides on and then they will be able to be removed easily. The 2x4 pieces(one at each end) are screwed on from the bottom and the heads of the screws are countersunk so the mold will sit flat. He also counter sunk the screws for the handle so they don't protrude down into the soap mold area. I love that he made the lid to fit down in so snug.

2013-01-04_22-48-35_866.jpg


2013-01-04_22-52-03_425.jpg


2013-01-04_22-55-45_871.jpg


2013-01-04_22-56-31_351.jpg
 
Angel Momma - which plans did you use for your mold? Papa bear has promised to make me some wood soap molds... I really like yours!

I will admit that my favorite is a shoebox. I know... sounds silly, but it's super easy to get out of there!
 
We didn't use any specific set of plans. I hate to waste any of the wood so it actually is longer than anticipated. We looked at what we had and figured up where we needed our cuts. So, I guess it was kind of like when you are cooking and you kind of put in a little of this and a little of that.......until it tastes right :smile: If I like this one just as much after soaping with it as I do now......I will HAVE to write up my measurements!
 
maiseycat said:
Watch at about the 35 second mark of this video, I still think this is one of the cleverest molds with removable sides that I have ever seen, and if I decide at some point I need new log molds, I am going to find someone that can build this for me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mSg-OQ51hM
Click to expand...

Hands down, this lining technique is awesome!
 

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