Homemade DIY Wood mold (pic added)

[TuxedoKat]

Hi all,

In all my newly-found "soap enthusiasm" I've been googling like mad, and I know I have seen a post (I swear it was here) for step-by-step instructions on building a wooden soap mold/box. I've spent 10 minutes searching the forum and using the search function but nothing specific is coming up.

Was it here? I'm hoping someone who knows this forum inside out can point it out to me. I'd like to build one this weekend!

 

[TuxedoKat]

Hmmm. I just found this one, but I'm not sure how much this would hold. Does anyone know if this would be alright for a 1 lb. batch? It looks to me like it would be ok.

http://www.lowescreativeideas.com/idea-library/projects/Easy_to_Make_Soap_Molds_0811.aspx

 

[Bubbles Galore]

I made this one.

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

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTuN1RLT8fY&feature=related"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTuN1RLT ... re=related[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04guyicRDi0&feature=related"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04guyicR ... re=related[/ame]

 

[whiskandbowl]

Hmmm. I just found this one, but I'm not sure how much this would hold. Does anyone know if this would be alright for a 1 lb. batch? It looks to me like it would be ok.

http://www.lowescreativeideas.com/idea-library/projects/Easy_to_Make_Soap_Molds_0811.aspx

I think that it, if i did my math right, will hold closer to a four pound batch. Take the length x width x height you want the soap to be. Then multiply that number by .40 This gives you ounces of oil needed. I give a little leeway for the water and then divide by sixteen to figure out the lbs. If that makes any sense

My BF's brother is making me this mold for Christmas and I'm hoping to make some dividers so I can make one big batch or two smaller batches if I want! I'll post pics once it's finished

 

[TuxedoKat]

Hmmm. I just found this one, but I'm not sure how much this would hold. Does anyone know if this would be alright for a 1 lb. batch? It looks to me like it would be ok.

http://www.lowescreativeideas.com/idea-library/projects/Easy_to_Make_Soap_Molds_0811.aspx

I think that it, if i did my math right, will hold closer to a four pound batch. Take the length x width x height you want the soap to be. Then multiply that number by .40 This gives you ounces of oil needed. I give a little leeway for the water and then divide by sixteen to figure out the lbs. If that makes any sense

My BF's brother is making me this mold for Christmas and I'm hoping to make some dividers so I can make one big batch or two smaller batches if I want! I'll post pics once it's finished

Oh I was way off then! lol. Maybe I should just stick to my little ziploc container for my 1 lb. molds. Thanks for the calculations, and definitely post photos of your finished mold, I'd like to see it.

 

[TuxedoKat]

My husband made the box for me today. I love it! I thought that the dividers were a good idea, so I asked him to make me a couple inserts for the inside. I've just made another 1lb. recipe and used the divider to accomodate my tiny batch.

I think I'm ready to try a 4lb batch. I'll try that next!



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

ETA: The lid is not supposed to touch the soap right? My husband thinks it is supposed to press it down, and I say it's not to touch the soap at all. It is not touching in this batch, but we have to sand it a bit to get a better fit I think.

 

[kelleyaynn]

Nope, you don't want the lid to touch the soap. So when you sand it down, make sure it still sits above your soap batter.

 

[TuxedoKat]

Nope, you don't want the lid to touch the soap. So when you sand it down, make sure it still sits above your soap batter.

Thanks! (I win). lol

 

[whiskandbowl]

Ooh it looks lovely!

 

[JackiK]

I built my molds just like the youtube tutorial. Mine is 15 inches long and holds three pounds of soap (oil measurement only). That means a one pound batch would use one five inches long.

I love mine, especially when I look at the prices of silicone molds. I bought a piece of mylar at Hobby Lobby last week and finally got around to making it fit the inside of my mold. I actually folded it for the long sides of the main part of the mold, and then plan to permanently attach pieces of it to the ends. The main part will be removable. Can't promise, but I'll try to let you guys know how it goes. I've been too dang busy to make soap, which is a big bummer :cry:

I really don't mind lining molds, it's just that the ends always look crummy, so I basically lose a whole bar out of every log. Now, instead of getting 14 bars, I'll be able to get 15, hopefully.

 

[hushnel]

I made this one yesterday, it's adjustable, the two end pieces are not attaced they can be placed anywhere in the mold. I used bits of thin leather as hinges.

 

[WomanInTheWoods]

Oh! hushnel, I love your mold! That's really great! I like how you can move the ends wherever you need them to accomodate different sized batches. I also really like the leather hinges. Nice!

TuxedoKat~ your mold came out beautiful. Great job! I've been confused about the lids, too.

My dad made 3 molds for me based off of the Chestnut Farms molds. I'd like to get some silicone or mylar liners for them eventually, but for now I line with freezer paper and they work great. Now that I know the lids aren't suppose to touch the soap tops, maybe we'll make those, too!

 

[hushnel]

A buddy of mine made up this mold, it's genius the floors are each separate with the end pieces attached, the walls are loose he has 4 sections and 5 walls and just clamps them together. One section is missing from this picture.

He says he gets 52 1" thick bars in one go.