Log Mold Details
The mold is made of 3/4" plywood. Outside dimensions are 5 1/4" wide by 5 3/4" deep and as long as you like. Two adjacent sides hinge down to allow easy removal of the soap block. They are held closed with the kinds of clasps you find on trunks or old suitcases.
The liner pieces are 3/16" lexan (1/8" would do, but the thicker material is more rigid and stays flat against the mold sides better). The pieces must be cut precisely to fit the closed box, in order to minimize leakage around the edges.
When the soap is ready, the sides are opened and the whole block with liner pieces stuck to it can be lifted out. The lexan sides are then peeled off (you can really bend the stuff without breaking it). If you have difficulty removing the liners, put the block in the freezer for awhile first.
Before pouring soap into the mould, the sides are closed up, then the lexan liner pieces are inserted as follows: First place one long side, then one end, then the other side and lastly the other end, so they wrap around the box as shown in this top view.
Finally the bottom piece of lexan is pressed down firmly to hold the sides in place.
