Wooden cigar mold repair/restoration

[Yultanman]

I picked up a few molds in varying conditions

one in particular seems to have some eject sliders or something. Kinda cool.
Anyways im wondering about restoring the too half as many of the slits are warped and pulling away from the main piece

my thought had been some gentle steam then white glue and clamp. Any thoughts if this is a good plan. I know the durex mold use nails but this one does not



and wood molds typically have had any coating on them? One of my durex ones looks like possibly beeswax was used to seal the wood

 

[Knucklehead]

I picked up a few molds in varying conditions

one in particular seems to have some eject sliders or something. Kinda cool.View attachment 34610
Anyways im wondering about restoring the too half as many of the slits are warped and pulling away from the main pieceView attachment 34603View attachment 34604

my thought had been some gentle steam then white glue and clamp. Any thoughts if this is a good plan. I know the durex mold use nails but this one does not

View attachment 34608View attachment 34609

and wood molds typically have had any coating on them? One of my durex ones looks like possibly beeswax was used to seal the wood

View attachment 34605

Does it state where they were made? I have wondered if a sealant was necessary for a long sea voyage or the high humidity where many cigar manufacturers are located. I have zero idea what was used but food grade butcher block oil would be safe.

White glue would be fine. I would be tempted to use Titebond III as it is waterproof but it may not be necessary unless your wrapper is really high case and you use it a lot. Not sure how much that moisture would migrate to where the cracks are.

 

[Yultanman]

The lifts are all under the cavities so i dont think any moisture will pass between the repairs and the cavity.
I was also wondering as we are a very dry climate and even from the other side of canada from where these are from there is a big jump in humidity.
Ill try the bit of white glue, steam and light pressure and see where that gets me. A little mineral oil on the outside.

 

[MarcL]

A lot of times a proper pressing can get these working. If you don't have one, you will need one if you plan to use it.
You might could get some clue up in there and be good. You'll want it drying under pressure. Remove all excess glue.
I filed bamboo skewers and used them as wedges to coax out the loose stuff.
Spoon butter is oil and beeswax and got a lot of use. paint on some. I have used mineral oil carefully.

 

[Yultanman]

Spoon butter is oil and beeswax and got a lot of use. paint on some. I have used mineral oil carefully.

mineral oil?

 

[MarcL]

A little bit, a long way.

 

[Knucklehead]

Mineral oil - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Yultanman]

Mineral oil - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Lol sorry i should have been more clear... mineral oil in the beeswax? Which marcl answered with the “little bit long way”

got it looking much better now

made some “spoon butter” with about 2 grams of beeswax and 10 drops of mineral oil. Seems to work good at sealing the wood.I got 4 molds so im working slowly at clamping/ glueing light sanding and then the butter.
Thanks everyone for the ongoing help with everything

 

[MarcL]

Wait!

 

[MarcL]

Your scaring me. not that I don't trust you but, I don't trust you. You do not want the two halves not fitting after it dries.

 

[MarcL]

That does look good.

 

[MarcL]

What I mean is that the last thing I do before pressing it all together is, I clean all excess glue that I just applied so that it still fits.

 

[MarcL]

So, I'm day dreaming and its killing me knowing that those edges are getting the pressure. those are the fragile parts. don't do that.

 

[Yultanman]

It survived. Those edges are not getting pressure or the the very minimal amount to prevent lifting. Anyways no damage to the fragile edges (that wasnt there when i got them

Hmm fair on not trusting me lol. I didnt think of it because i wasnt really moving anything.
Anyways through luck everything still fits well.

next ill leave them pressed together to help with the slight warpage. The other 3 should be servicable aside from a couple of the cavities

thanks again @MarcL for looking out for me

 

[MarcL]

I feel much better now. Not sure if the degree of my concern reaches official tree hugger status but, I feel the same way about metal. and its a tool? ... save the stuff!

thanx for the share/pix. sounds good.

 

[Knucklehead]

Lol sorry i should have been more clear... mineral oil in the beeswax? Which marcl answered with the “little bit long way”

I wanted to make sure you read the part about it being a laxative.

 

[Yultanman]

I wanted to make sure you read the part about it being a laxative.

Haha ill make sure not to lick the spoons!!!

 

[Yultanman]

I feel much better now. Not sure if the degree of my concern reaches official tree hugger status but, I feel the same way about metal. and its a tool? ... save the stuff!

thanx for the share/pix. sounds good.

oh your degree of concern was justified!!! It wouldnt be the first time i got ahead of myself only to realize i missed a crucial piece or step

merry Christmas everyone

 

[Yultanman]

Well maybe i could clamp them for a few
weeks to get them slightly better but that would assume the rolling job going in would be that good.... which its not

i think they turned out pretty good