Candle heart mold V2

thingiverse

This is a redisign of me previous attempt at making a candle heart mold. This model is way better than the V1 (Small candle in the pictures). I have optimised this model with what i learned by making the previous model and by making way too many prototypes. I made this model for my girlfriend and so i also put in her and my initials. The wide flat spot at the top was introduced to make sure the candle doesn't leak and messes up the letters. (The version i uploaded doesn't have any letters on it) Hardware list below ! READ THE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW ! V1 can be found here:http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1331659 Print Settings Printer: k8200 Rafts: Doesn't Matter Supports: Yes Resolution: 0.3 and lower Infill: 20% and up Notes: More infill will make it more rigid and less prone to deform under heat, 20% worked for me using PLA though (Read the instructions for more information). Instructions Step 1: Print it ! I strongly recomend using 4 - 6 solid top support layers, this wil help removing the support material from the screw holes alot ! If the top of the support is too weak when you try to knock it out with a bolt, the bolt wil go right trough it and leave behind a mess of plastic bits which are almost impossible to remove . If it is strong enough the support will stay hole and fly out in one piece after hitting the screw with a hammer (See next step for more information on how to remove the support material). Step 2: Remove the support material ! You will have an easy time removing the supports, if you printed it as instructed. Use a flat head screw driver to remove the support at the top, just wedge it in there and turn the screwdriver. Removing the support in the wholes will be easy because of the hard and strong top support layers (see previouse step), just put in a M4 bolt and hammer it in slowly and jentle until you feel you are hitting the support. After that you just have to give it one hard blow with the hammer and it should pop out. Be sure to hit the bolt head on and not from the sides, you could damage the hole of you do. Step 3: Preparing the mold I highly recomend using some kind of mold release. You can use mold release, vaseline,.. Just be sure to use a thin and even layer. I used WD40 because that was all i had on hand, this can cause some bubles in the candle though. After you treated the mold with mold release you should put in your candle wick just like you should with a regular mold. Close and screw the mold tougether, use an X pattern while doing this. Step 4: Pooring wax. If you printed the mold in PLA you should know that PLA starts to deform at around 50-60°C. This means that the wax could potentially deform the mold. This is one of the reasons i used screws instead of a vise, so that the pressure would be spread out and not cause it to warp as quickly. This being said, don't heat up your wax too much or it wil deform your mold and start pooring trough the screw holes. It's a good idea to give it time to melt on a low temperature and to let the wax cool until you can touch it with your finger without it hurting you ( it wil be +-40°C) before you start pooring it in the mold. If you have some ABS or an other material that is more heat resistant than PLA, then i would suggest printing it with that material. Step 5: Removing the candle form the mold. After you gave the candle a good amount of time too cool off, you can remove the mold. Unscrew the mold and try to lift one side straight up, or use a flat screwdriver. After that you can get grip on the flat part at the bottum and try to push/pull it out. Don't use a screwdriver between the candle and the mold or you will damage the handle, take your time. If you can't get it out, then you should use some more/better mold release next time. Hardware 8x M4 x 40mm 8x M4 Nuts (you can use ones with a cap) You can glue the nuts in place to make it easier if the nuts don't stay insite their slots. I suggest getting some spares aswel, as wax can mess them up if you're not carefull.