Sponiebr

I make chocolate fudge brownie from Moonworks (sp?) in a soap. It's not the best mover in my line, but it IS decadent smelling soap! 
Pumpkin Pie? I can't keep it in stock, but chocolate, meh, I'll always have some left over... I can't FIGURE that one out!  

On 10/24/2014 at 9:16 AM, Jcandleattic said:

I just went on an embed mold shopping spree!

(sort of)

I got these - I hope they come out as detailed as the mold shows. We'll see.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LASEBA6/ref=ox_sc_sfl_image_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

OOOOh! They gots HELLO KITTY! (I need a girly small silicone soap mold to make soaps for little girls....)  

 

On 11/16/2018 at 7:58 PM, Laura C said:

Oh dear God. Now here's something else that looks highly addictive, molds.   Those you found on Amazon and all these at https://www.vanyulay.com/

OMG! I'm IN LOVE with the little blond cartoon girl! 

3 hours ago, Laura C said:

 

Ha, that sounds neat, I've never seen that or done that before. Got any photos or videos of it? I'll have to do some experimenting.

The top one is one of those wooden wicks I made from a smashed up popsicle stick and the bottom one is another wood wick but it also shows the mica effect I was talking about. 

8 hours ago, Marleigha said:

I just wanted to clarify that I would only use regular glitter in very small amounts in melts..... NOT in candles.  Melts/Tarts are a little different as they will not have an open flame where as candles do have an open flame..... Please do not use glitter in candles at all.  Sparingly in melts yes, but not in candles.  Just wanted to clarify just incase.  😇

Why not in candles? The glitter won't wick and burn, it *might* clog your wick but it won't burn. I personally LOVE the effect of micas and glitter in candles. They swirl from the wick outwards in the MP and then sink and recirculate along the MP's convection currents... They're GORGEOUS! I can watch for hours a mica candle burn.

I'm just curious as to why you wouldn't want to have glitter in candles...  

15 hours ago, Trappeur said:

Dang!   Sponey!   So you could live like me? lol....lol....Kudo's to you kiddo!

 

Trappeur

Oh Trapp... No... I can't.... NOBODY can live like YOU Trapp! You DO have Trappeur Power after all! 

Cause You're Trapp Lady,
yes you're the real Lady
all them other Trapp Ladies are just imitating,
so will the real Trapp Lady

Please stand up,

please stand up,

please stand up...

Will the real Trapp Lady

Please stand up,

please stand up,

please stand up... 


;*

Sponiebr

On 10/11/2018 at 2:45 AM, Pam W said:

So, what's the latest on making some awesome Patch soap for your Mom?

Still hasn't happened... Not overly stressed about making it right now either. Too many other things going on to sweat a 28 oz loaf. I'll get around to it when I get the chance. 

On 11/9/2018 at 10:46 PM, Cr8iveThnkr said:

Hello I am new to the site but signed up after I read Ramr's post on 9/3/18 about making your own wood wicks. It made me feel better to know I was not the only one out there trying to do the same. I am also knew to candle making and so far I have used wooden wicks from Country Lane ( Hobby Lobby) and the latest from Northwood Distributing. They burned well, I never trimmed them once after burning and they always relit. Did not even realized you had to trimmed them until some reading well after I had made about 4 or 5 test candles. Anyway, I have spent the better part of my evening trying to find and article online or a video to show me how to make my own wicks. I understand these companies make them but seriously, the idea came from somewhere and I have even seen some wood wicks that are wider than the standard wood wicks sold. So I figure those must be custom made. I did see the article about how to do it with Balsa wood but the article show a stick that resembled a square wooden dowel as oppose to the flat almost sliver or sheet like, thin pieces of wood sold as wooden wicks. I was thinking I could take a piece of lumber and trim off a stick that thin, even if its the length of the piece of lumber, you could just cut it up into smaller pieces giving you several wooden wicks. But my problem is my usual medium is batter ( cake and cookie) not wood. I have been trying to identify a tool that might let me slice off a piece of lumber turned on its side and do it in one piece and without it being sooo thin it curls or breaks. After reading about you adventures as another member stated, I see you are use to cutting wood but like you Ramr, not about t open a mill for a few wood wicks.  Anyone know of a tool a newbie to wood working could use to cut a thin slice of wood from a piece of lumber and do it in one long piece?

 

It's called a spoke shave or a draw knife... A froe will work as well. BUT spoke shaves, draw knives, and froes are EXPENSIVE, (like you don't even wanna KNOW). I have a couple of draw knives I use for tillering bows and shaping axe and tool handles... I do NOT own a froe... I DO own several machete's though, and they work just fine as froes (not so great at wrenching off a shake but meh... I can still do it.) Froes are used in making wooden shingles for roofs... As you can imagine there is not a lot of use for the froe these days. I use my heavy machete and  a mallet and it works just fine. 

Bye the Bye... You can buy flat balsa stock, it's readily available at your craft store, and you can buy it in varying widths and thicknesses. Or you can buy a wide piece and cut it to width with a snap knife or any knife really. Bases for wood wicks can be quickly and cheaply made from binder clips divested of their little wire handles after they've been placed on the bottom of the wick. I think I mentioned that before... 

Anywho, 

Good luck! 

I don't make lip balm but I do make lotion from time to time. I use FCO in my lotion formulation and it works VERY well. (IIRC, MCT is basically the same thing as FCO only they don't disclose whether or not it was fractionated from coconut or palm oil). The thing that I have found to make the lotion ultra smooth is silicone oil. (I can't believe I'm going to say this) I use Astro Glide waterproof Silicone ( I BOUGHT it expressly for lotions),  as the source for my silicone oil as it is a blend of simethicone and dimethicone it works great but is a tad pricey for the amount you get. 

 

6 hours ago, bfroberts said:

Not that I have any skin in the game, but her comments sounded (read) pretty snarky to my eyes.  

5 hours ago, moonshine said:

They were imo as well

she was extremely rude not only to Quentin but to the very person that keeps this forum running for us as well 

We need to trust TT’s decisions and be grateful we have this place to come to 

People will always have disagreements but I don’t feel there is a place here to belittle others trying to learn 🤷‍♀️That’s my pennies worth 

I may have mentioned I'm NOT a chandler but I have seen this sort of behavior in other places. I agree with BOTH of you and with TT... I'm here because that kind of behavior doesn't happen, (well, doesn't happen very OFTEN), here on CS. And that's MY 2 cents. 

Serendipity is a must have... Coconut, vanilla, and cherry... It's THAT GOOD. (IIRC It's also a Just Scents original) I just ordered a pound of it the other day and it's slated to be delivered later today. (YAS!) 

I also got death by chocolate... I haven't smelled it yet, but with all the RAVE reviews I'm SURE it's gonna be a winner! 

Cheers, 

Sponiebr
The Executor of Bad Ideas and Sundry Services. 

2 hours ago, Sarah S said:

I couldn't get past the piggy smell with lard either. But I love the way animal fats soaponify, so I use a rendered tallow instead. I get it from Soaper's Choice, and it does have a bit of a meaty smell when it's hot, but I don't smell it once it's mixed with the oils.

I would also emphasize what the others have said about playing with a variety of oils. Have fun experimenting!

Soaper's choice beef tallow is wonderful! 


As long as we're talk'n 'bout cheap fats that make GREAT soap, I was, I am, and I will likely BE a HUGE ADVOCATE of using the Great Value Shortening (the one specifically labeled: Made from animal and vegetable fats.) It's a beef tallow and palm oil blend that is the keystone to all of my current soap formulations. (maybe "keystone" is a bit strong, but I'd be REAL damned upset if I couldn't get it anymore.) 

It's CHEAP too... It's only slightly more expensive than lard.

Soapcalc has it listed as Walmart GV, I'm just say'n... 



Sponiebr 
 

I have no idea what the hell just happened but let me try this again. The upshot of what I had originally replied to was:  I avoid lard because it smells like pig manure to me. I still use it in my laundry soap because it's cheap but like TT I routinely get DOS with lard. I get it in my laundry soap too, but it's laundry soap and I don't give-a-flip if it has DOS or not. (I probably SHOULD at least care a little) Lard isn't overly impressive as far as a soaping oil to me, I personally think beef tallow does a better job. 

Meh, that's my two cents... 

-Sponiebr

 

Love the candles Trapp! Maybe one of the candles could read "You got a Purdy Mouth"... I don't know...   

Well, at least your Sister may shake her head, BUT SHE didn't have to deal with the whole skunk bonanza! 


Orphan is such a unique Calico! I don't think I've ever seen a tiger striped Calico before. She's really quite pretty.

Cheers, 

Sponiebr
 
 

On 10/10/2018 at 9:16 AM, TallTayl said:

Wow! I never thought about how many tiny details go into a simple early-times machine. It makes me look at the price tag on old and new wheels much more openly. (Also proves it is something I will NEVER attempt to make on my own 🤣)

Gosh, I am SO sorry it's taking me this LONG to get back... 

Well, TBH, THIS particular wheel is my OWN personal design and a LARGE part of the reason it's taking SO damned long is 1. I am literally designing it as I go, and 2. I can only do certain critical parts of the work 1 day a week, and that's ONLY if I actually can get that day freed up... I'm also being SUPER FREAKISHLY Detailed about what I'm doing AND I'm correcting ALL of the shortcomings that I have experienced with other wheels.  So FAR I'm real please with how it's turning out. I'll be honest though, it IS starting to become a drag working on this thing EVERY SINGLE day I have off. (I only get 4 days a month off as of the last 3 months.) 

BTW: TT, it's not really that hard to build one of these things, it's a VERY doable project for someone with intermediate woodworking skills. Technically you could make one with nothing but hand tools. 

Anyway's I'm plug'n away at it.  

Slainte, 

Sponiebr
The Executor of Bad Ideas and Sundry Services 


And THIS is what I've been up to over the past week and a half! 


EPISODE 9! (still going... NOTHING outlasts the Sponiegizer...)

 The making of matched sets of wheel hubs with cone tips to ride on the inside of the ball bearing races, their pining to the wheel, and the balancing of the wheel. 

Yep! It's legit. It's called the zap test. I've done it.
I've done it A LOT, but: 
"I'm feeling much better now."


These days I use the method TallTayl details above. 

HTH,

Sponiebr
The Executor of Bad Ideas and Sundry Services

10 minutes ago, iansmommaya said:

 

 

THESE ARE FAB! I would buy them right now.

IKR?
Thanks for being on MY side Maya... It... it... was SO cold and, and DARK over here with my creepy jars filled with weird crap that didn't burn worth a damn... But now YOU'RE here and, and it's....

still dark dammit! Didn't you bring a flashlight or something?  

20 minutes ago, Echap77 said:

Per usual, I'm wandering around life (i.e. this forum) trying to figure out what's going on. But since I'm only looking at pictures, I'm seeing lots of torture tools .... and still don't know what's going on 😁 Reinventing the wheel? A guillotine maybe? Anyway, I'm staying tuned

Torture tools!? AWESOME! Where!? Lemme AT EM!!! Oh! HOLD UP A SEC!!!! I got a LIST!!! Lemme get the list!

Don't go anywhere!!!!
I'll BE RIGHT BACK!!!!!! 

Guillotine? Naw... Inefficient and a pain in the neck to sharpen.

I'll plead "Reinventing the wheel", that's probably the best bet right there. 

Sponiebr! 
THE (Oh you know...) 

P.S.: This forum is SOOOO MUCH BETTER than life! 

EPISODE 8 CONTINUES:

And now, for the conclusion of Episode 8... 



Stay tuned for Episode 9!!!! 

Cheers, 

Sponiebr
The Executor of Bad Ideas and Sundry Services 

Episode 8: The Birth and Exorcism of a Fore-maiden... (The DEVIL IS in the DETAILS.)

The following events took place on, or about Saturday, October 6, 2018 through Wednesday October 10, 2018. There were no witnesses. The only evidence that exists are these photographs and the actual artifact. 

The following images contain some very, very, fussy stuff. Viewer indiscretion is advised.  






















 

TO BE CONTINUED!!! 

3 hours ago, Echap77 said:

Me too!!!

Well, dang... I'm sorry to YOU too... When BFRoberts is done with the little flaming unicorn maybe she'll let you borrow it? I dunno... I'm just try'na be helpful. 

On 10/4/2018 at 8:37 AM, Barbara AL said:

Awe Thank You Pam, I hope you use those pretty soaps and not use them for display!

 

They're REALLY AWESOME... 

@Courtney89 Everything TallTayl and Barbara said. I'll reiterate Barbara's suggestion to lose the Canola, like forever... Every time I've ever used canola in any amount I've gotten Dreaded Orange Spots (DOS) aka: rancid soap. I also add that using a SAP calculator is an absolute must. Trust NO formulation from NO ONE EVER until you personally have run it through your SAP calculator. I'm not saying anyone of us would ever steer you wrong, but a lye heavy soap is a dangerous thing and just double checking the numbers is an easy and solid method of due diligence for your own peace of mind.  Soapcalc is my personal favorite SAP calculator. 

If you bought a kit from BB I take it you have a good scale? 

Good luck! 

Sponiebr
The Executor of Bad Ideas and Sundry Services 



 

EPISODE 7!!! (Oh this is the ONE you've BEEN WAITING FOR!!!) The creation of the quick lock orifice-flyer-bearing assembly! It's got a VIDEO!!!! 😮 

This is a TAP press for

This a tap press for threading the holes. This is NOT A DRILL! I repeat THIS IS NOT A DRILL!THIS is the oft referred This is the oft referred to "Ball Plunger".  (dear GAWD there's a ruler in the picture for size reference on my ball plunger... (sighs. I can't win for losing...)





 

Again... Sorry about the skeevy looking hands, 8 hours on a metal lathe will work hell on your hands. 

MORE TO FOLLOW!!! 

-Sponieb

 

Episode 6!!! Opening up the fly hooks and installing the fly hooks. 

3 hours ago, TallTayl said:

RTV silicone

Any particular kind or brand you prefer? Or should I just do the cornstarch and food coloring thing with the type I clear caulk?  


BTW... WHY DO we use cornstarch in that mess instead of gypsum or Plaster of Paris? I may need to play with that concept. 

DANKE! 

Ok! So I'm "stuck" doing MORE sword restorations... I've really gotta work on my "boundaries" but HEY! I'm getting paid in SWORDS so... yeah! (don't JUDGE me!  )  

I happen to be in the rare case with one of these sword where I actually have ALL of the bits and pieces unmounted, which means I can make copies of them with mold making material! 

I know copyrights and plagiarism is a hot topic, so so let's hash that out right now.

These are restorations so I have no issues with "copying" the patterns because the different pommels, quillions, and scabbard mounts, chapes, and footes crests, will be used to make or repair the same swords they belong to and (most importantly) THAT AREN'T MANUFACTURED ANYMORE, BY ANYONE, ANYWHERE.


SO! Having gotten that out of the way, what's your favorite mold making material to produce extremely high detail copies? If even all that I get are master specimens of each type I'd be thrilled. 

Anywho all y'all's help is appreciated!

Slainte, 

Sponiebr
The Executor of Bad Ideas and Sundry Services