Moulds for veg bags - wood or steel?

[Handstitched]

G'Day LottyAfrica ,

This is just a  very small cross section of the molds that I use, some with pencil marks, measurements etc.. Some are 'one off's ' ( but never go to waste), but the majority I use all the time. I also have some much larger molds as well. 

The ones on the far left, are made of pine, mostly  from off cuts and scraps. The remainder are made from MDF. Both woods are easy to shape  and cheap.  I do sometimes slide the molds out during drying , hence the shiny packing tape.   I also use a  scrap layer of leather to help with sizing etc. 

You can also see how phone cases have changed in size over the years.

The one next to the axe/ multi-tool mold , bottom right, is how they use to be, ( like the one I have now ) compared to the " paving slab" on the top right.

Sure wish phone companies make their minds up  Ha ha !!  

So I guess you have to be a bit of a wood worker as well, ( something I'm not) . It comes with practice I'm sure  

HS 

Edited January 22, 2019 by Handstitched

[Mattsbagger]

Scrap veg tan glued together to get your thickness work well also. Easy to cut and shape.

[LottyAfrica]

On 22/01/2019 at 1:42 PM, Handstitched said:

G'Day LottyAfrica ,

This is just a  very small cross section of the molds that I use, some with pencil marks, measurements etc.. Some are 'one off's ' ( but never go to waste), but the majority I use all the time. I also have some much larger molds as well. 

The ones on the far left, are made of pine, mostly  from off cuts and scraps. The remainder are made from MDF. Both woods are easy to shape  and cheap.  I do sometimes slide the molds out during drying , hence the shiny packing tape.   I also use a  scrap layer of leather to help with sizing etc. 

You can also see how phone cases have changed in size over the years.

The one next to the axe/ multi-tool mold , bottom right, is how they use to be, ( like the one I have now ) compared to the " paving slab" on the top right.

Sure wish phone companies make their minds up  Ha ha !!  

So I guess you have to be a bit of a wood worker as well, ( something I'm not) . It comes with practice I'm sure  

HS 

This is so fun to see! Thanks very much for sharing :-) What about the board you use it on? I've looked at plywood the other day but here in South Africa it's super expensive. 

Doesn't pine warp and stuff once it gets wet?

[Handstitched]

G'Day ,

When I mold the leather around these, I pin it down onto some pieces of pine , or whatever scrap  I have lying around,  approx 4" x 1" ) 100mm x 25mm)  just as an example .It needs to be  bigger than the mold , to give me enough room to mold, shape etc.  I find pine is easy to hammer into because its soft. Ply wood may be a bit hard to nail into .   I haven't experienced any of the wood warping  or being affected by damp leather. 

HS