Sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide are two ingredients used to turn oils and fats into soap. Sodium hydroxide is normally used to make bar soaps. Potassium hydroxide is normally used to make liquid soaps. Both are extremely corrosive and must be handled and stored with care. Both sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide come in bead form, flake form, or liquid form. Most soap recipes call for bead form, and this is the easiest to handle. When storing your sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide be sure to store them in air tight containers in a cool, dry place.

Lye (Sodium Hydroxide) for Making Soap, Free Shipping! US $18.99 Auction Ends: Tuesday May-13-2008 18:19:20 PDT Buy this Item   | Watch this Item

Lye (Sodium Hydroxide) for Making Soap, Free Shipping! US $18.99 Auction Ends: Saturday May-17-2008 17:30:45 PDT Buy this Item   | Watch this Item

12 lb 6-32 oz Sodium Hydroxide Lye Soap Candles Cleaner US $23.99 Auction Ends: Saturday May-17-2008 22:27:18 PDT Buy this Item   | Watch this Item

SODIUM HYDROXIDE SODA - SOAP MAKING - BIO DIESEL X LB US $4.00 Auction Ends: Monday May-19-2008 10:19:52 PDT Buy this Item   | Watch this Item

SODIUM HYDROXIDE - SOAP MAKING - BIO DIESEL 10 LBs US $25.00 Auction Ends: Tuesday May-20-2008 14:21:11 PDT Buy this Item   | Watch this Item

A scale that measures accurately is one of the soapmaker’s and cosmetic crafter’s most treasured assets. Without one it is impossible to achieve consistency in the manufacture of bath and body care products. Digital scales come in many different shapes and sizes and in all price ranges. However, it is not necessary to take out a bank loan to purchase a digital scale. This article discusses what features to look for when purchasing a digital scale.

What To Look For In A Digital Scale
A digital scale is a small investment. To get the most for your hard earned money look for the following features.

Units of Measure. Look for a scale that measures in metric and english units. This makes it as easy to follow recipes that are written using ounces and pounds as it is to follow recipes written in grams.

Maximum capacity. The maximum capacity is the largest weight that a scale can measure at once. Look for a scale that can weigh at least 5 pounds.

Automatic shutoff. This feature causes the scale to shut off after a certain period of inactivity. It protects your scale’s battery just in case you forget to turn it off.

Amount that it measures increments in. This is the smallest unit that a scale can measure in. A scale that measures to the nearest gram or tenth of an ounce is satisfactory for most handmade bath and body care recipes.

Also be aware of what type of platform your scale comes with. The platform is the surface on the scale where you place the item to be weighed. A stainless steel or glass platform is best because these can be cleaned easily and will not react with lye, fragrance oils, or anything else that is spilled upon them. However, some scales come with plastic platforms. If you purchase a scale with a plastic platform, you can protect it by covering it with a thin sheet of clear plastic wrap before you use it. This will protect it from any chemical spills.

5-lb. Straight Weigh Digital Postal Scale, 5-1/2 x 5-1/2 Platform (PELPE5)
Price: $91.99
Manufacturer: Pelouze Scale Co.. Sold Individually Straight Weigh Digital Postal Scale • Weighs in pounds or grams • Hold feature holds weight when display is blocked by oversize packages • Auto shut-off saves battery power • Uses 9V b

10-lb. Straight Weigh Digital Postal Scale, 5-1/2 x 5-1/2 Platform (PELPE10)
Price: $103.99
Manufacturer: Pelouze Scale Co.. Sold Individually Straight Weigh Digital Postal Scale • Weighs in pounds or grams • Hold feature holds weight when display is blocked by oversize packages • Auto shut-off saves battery power • Uses 9V b

If you want to get the most value for your money, consider investing in a wood soap mold. Even though they are more expensive than plastic soap molds, wood soap molds are built to last for years of use. Some wood soap molds are designed to produce a log of soap which then needs to be cut with a cutter. Other wood soap molds are designed with separators which allow formation of individual soap bars while curing.

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Wood Soap Mold- Guest Size Soap- Plexi-glass Divider US $0.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Monday May-12-2008 14:42:23 PDT Bid on this Item   | Buy this Item   | Watch this Item

wood wooden soap mold w/ dividers (36 bars) US $101.00 (14 Bids) Auction Ends: Monday May-12-2008 19:19:39 PDT Bid on this Item   | Buy this Item   | Watch this Item

wood wooden soap mold w/ dividers (36 bars) US $60.00 (7 Bids) Auction Ends: Monday May-12-2008 19:24:29 PDT Bid on this Item   | Buy this Item   | Watch this Item

HANDCRAFTED 2 LBS (8 BAR) WOOD WOODEN SOAP MOLD SET US $21.95 (1 Bid) Auction Ends: Tuesday May-13-2008 11:47:48 PDT Bid on this Item   | Buy this Item   | Watch this Item

A LOT OF 2 WOOD WOODEN SOAP MOLD TO MAKE 4-5 LB LOAF US $18.95 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Wednesday May-14-2008 17:06:21 PDT Bid on this Item   | Buy this Item   | Watch this Item

WOOD WOODEN SOAP MOLD CUTTER / SLICER BEVELER PLANER US $54.95 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Thursday May-15-2008 18:13:32 PDT Bid on this Item   | Buy this Item   | Watch this Item

1 NEW WOOD WOODEN SOAP MOLD BAR LOAF BEVELER / PLANER US $19.95 Auction Ends: Thursday May-15-2008 18:13:54 PDT Bid on this Item   | Buy this Item   | Watch this Item

A LOT OF 2 WOOD WOODEN SOAP MOLD TO MAKE 4-5 LB LOAF US $21.95 Auction Ends: Thursday May-15-2008 18:14:12 PDT Bid on this Item   | Buy this Item   | Watch this Item

A LOT OF 2 WOOD WOODEN SOAP MOLD TO MAKE 2-3 LB LOAF US $18.95 Auction Ends: Thursday May-15-2008 18:18:17 PDT Bid on this Item   | Buy this Item   | Watch this Item