Mold for making solid stick lube

Jerry You can use either.. I have some in PVC and some made from Aluminum tubing..

The only factor to consider is the heat when initially poured. I have had some PVC tube warp from the heat. My lube is at around 450 degrees F when I pure it into the moulds.

To make lube stick moulds you will need: A section of 2x4 (length varies with how many moulds you are going to make)

PVC tube caps (the number varies with how many moulds you are going to make)

Lengths of 1” PVC tubing (cut to how long you want your lube sticks to be)

Take the tube caps (try to get the flat ones, they are easier to use) Find something close to the center and drill a 3/16 hole through the caps.

Lay the caps out on the wide portion of the 2x4 (this will tell you how long to cut the 2x4) with enough spacing that you can wrap you handle around each tube.

Using a #6 drywall screw, screw the tube cap onto the 2x4.

Cut you 1” PVC tubing into the lengths you want.

and viola! Lube stick moulds.

If you want to have a hole in the center, take and drill a 3/8 hole in the center of the cap, and 2 3/16 holes to either side and then mount to the 2x4. After you have the cap mounted, continue drilling the 3/8 hole part way through the 2x4. This will help center the 3/8 dowel used to make the center hole. I use a 3/8 aluminum rod because the lube sticks to the wood like glue.

A couple of tips... Get a portion of 1” dowel rod to add in pushing the lube out of the tube once it sets up. Also you if you are making sticks with holes in the center, take and cut some 1/2” sections of the 1” dowel, drill a 3/8 hole in the center and place in the bottom of the mould and insert the 3/8 dowel.. Makes it easier to push those out of the mould without collapsing the hole in the stick of lube.

One final word of advice.. You will need to coat the inside surface with something to act as a release agent. Some use Murphy's oil soap, some use hairspray, some like me use commercial candle mould release and some use 3% food grade silicone spray.

There will be some shrinkage and the top end of the mould will have some air bubbles and vacancies. This is normal.

Try to pour the molten lube at a temperature just high enough to make it pourable.

I will try to get out into the shop tomorrow and get you some pics of my setup.