itsmejeffd

Here are some more pics. 1-The mold breaks down into all its parts in a matter of 10 seconds 2-Close up of the finished cutting guide 3-Cutting guide set at 1" 4-Cutting guide set at 3"

Thanks Brat. Now I feel like I should post a pic of my kitchen cabinets.

I wouldn't need your other mold. Just give me the dimensions you want it to be. I need to clarify this because I probably didn't word it correctly in my original post and someone just asked me: The cutting blade itself does not come with it. The mold has an adjustable cutting guide.

Thanks everyone. I'll post new pics with the finished cutter as soon as I can. The mold is made to be used unlined but a mold release would make unmolding a little easier. You could line it if you wanted though. It comes completely apart by loosening the hardware and everything is dishwasher safe. I haven't seen a need to put it through the dishwasher yet because it wipes clean pretty easily with water.

I looked around quite a bit for a soap mold that would meet my needs but couldn't find one. Every mold I saw out there, was way too flimsy and you could only make one size batch in them. If they had a cutter attached, the cutter was at a set width. I decided to design and create my own. the size of the batch is completely adjustable from 0 lbs to 6 lbs. In the pics it's set to make a 3 lb batch. The cutter (not finished in these pics) is also completely adjustable to give you the exact width bar you want. I'm currently in the process of designing a bar mold like an 18 bar Kelsei for Texas Brat. Please let me know what you think. If you would be interested in one, PM me. I could make them to whatever your specifcations are.

When you increase the conditioning you will decrease the hardness and lather. Try adding 1 TBSP of sugar per pound of oils to your water before adding the NAOH. The sugar should increase your lather without decreasing the hardness or effecting the conditioning too much.

I just found an 8 qt (24 cup) stainless steel bowl at Walmart for $4.97 + tax. That should be good for 6 lbs or more. I bet I could probably get 8 lbs in it. Maybe even 10?

For those of you doing 4 to 6 lb batches of CP, what do you use for mixing your oils and lye? I mean the bowl not the stick blender or spatula. So far, I've only been making 2 lb batches for testing. I've developed a base recipe that's been getting rave reviews from my testers and now I'm ready to make larger batches. I've designed and built my 4 lb mold which I'll try to post tonight in the gallery. Right now, I'm using an 8 cup measuring cup but I need something bigger. I know to stay away from aluminum. Any suggestions would be great especially if I can find it local. TIA

Just Scent's: Rosemary Mint Cherry Blossom Orange Clove Peak's: Peppermint Kiss

I agree. It sounds like you need a UV stabalizer (sometimes called "UV inhibitor"). You can find it in either a 2-part formula where you have to mix UVA and UVB or, more commonly, you'll find it pre-mixed. I don't know if there is much quality difference between the various suppliers but I use the one from Peak. It's half the price than the one from BCN and seems to work just fine. Of course, a candle is still going to fade if it's in direct sunlight whether it has stabalizer in it or not but this will reduce the fading and should hopefully stop it if it's not in direct sunlight. BTW, almost every light source produces some UV light waves - it's not just the sun that will fade the colors of a candle. The fading can easily be caused just by the light bulbs in a room depending on the output of the bulbs.

Here are 2 that I know of. I haven't ordered from either place yet so I can't tell you anything about the quality of their burners or CS. Hopefully, someone else will chime in here. Bell-A-Roma has a $250 minimum order to get their wholesale pricing and I think they only have the tealight kind. Looks like they have a very large selection though. http://www.acandleco.com/index.cfm/fa/categories.main/parentcat/1908 http://www.acandleco.com/index.cfm/fa/categories.main/parentcat/14796 India Overseas Trading Company also looks like they only have the tealight type burners. Their selection isn't as big but the minimum order is only $100. http://www.iotcusa.com/products/catagory18.html HTH

I think you're thinking of 4630 Harmony Blend. 4627 Comfort Blend is nowhere near slab form. It's a 25 pound cube you have to scoop out of a plastic bag.

I've heard of an additive that's supposed to reduce browning caused by vanillas. It's not TiO2. I can't think of the name of it or where I saw it. I'll keep a look out and post if I find it. Anyone else know what I'm talking about?

Just Scent has been the most generous supplier I have found when it comes to FO samples. Becky includes 3 1oz samples of your choice with every order.

Just Scent has a great one. Here's the direct link to that FO: http://www.justscent.com/product1864.html

Here's a link to some information for what's required. http://www.candletech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1737

It's a federal requirement if you are selling them. There are guidelines about where it's supposed to be located and the size of the font compared to the size of the label and the distance away from any other text.

This looks like the company I've been looking for. Thank you both very much. I just wish they had a website with an online catalogue. Going to give them a call tomorrow.

No one knows ANYTHING about how to contact Artico? Nobody? Please help...

Has anyone heard of Artico Inc. tart warmers? I've searched and searched but the only thing I've been able to find is some sites that sell them at retail. Does anyone know if they have a website?

It's only available online.

Rosemary has many benefits but it can also cause problems. This is an excerpt from an article on wikipedia.com. Health Precautions: In some cases, rosemary can cause autoimmune diseases. Rosemary in culinary or therapeutic doses is generally safe, however precaution is necessary for those displaying allergic reaction, or those prone to epileptic seizure. Rosemary essential oil is a powerful convulsant; if applied to the skin, it may cause seizures in otherwise healthy adults or children. Rosemary essential oil is potentially toxic if ingested. Large quantities of rosemary leaves can cause adverse reactions, such as coma, spasm, vomiting, and pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs) that can be fatal. Avoid consuming large quantities of rosemary if pregnant or breastfeeding. Here's a link to the whole article. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosemary

This is a great response except for the referral to candletech. This is the kind of person who will get on here and expect everyone to just hand over all their information. They will take, take, take and have absolutely nothing to contribute because they won't do any research themselves. Something that I would add to this is the thousands of dollars spent to perfect a product. I just went over all my receipts for taxes and figured I spent over $6,000 last year just in candle supplies alone. That didn't even include things like printer ink, office supplies and other things.

Texas Brat, if you want a pen, stop by and I'll give you one - if I can find it. Has anyone tried Columbus Foods - Soaper's Choice? They also have great prices on oils and butters but they don't have things like Natrasorb.

Thank you for the suggestions everyone. I've been searching around and have found a reasonably priced battery operated one. It's the Royal 115 CX. I believe it's the one that Trish was referring to. It's available on amazon for $120.