Why are blow molds so expensive? When something is rare and there is a demand for it, it’s hard to come by and often very expensive. With the rarity of well-maintained blow molds also comes the fact that some of the original companies that made these products are out of business. This makes them even more collectible.
Likewise, When did they stop making blow molds?
Due to dramatically decreasing sales in the 90s, Empire downsized in 2001 and no longer began producing blow molds. Its molds and machinery were sold in an auction and another company called General Foam Plastics purchased many of them.
Thereof, Does General Foam still make blow molds? As the blow mold companies slowly fell one by one, General Foam soon found itself as one of the last major seasonal blow mold companies still alive.
How do I identify a vintage blow mold?
Do Look For A Barcode. If you ever see a barcode sticker on your blow mold then you know it can not be as old as others. Companies began using UPC barcodes in 1974, so if you see one then you know it can not be any older that that!
Is General Foam still in business?
General Foam Plastics, which made fake Christmas trees, kiddie pools and plastic holiday decorations for decades in Hampton Roads, wasn’t able to find a buyer before the end of the year and will close after several years spent trying to compete with overseas manufacturing.
Is General Foam still in business?
In January 2018, GFP sold all of its remaining merchandise, and in March, the company officially went defunct and all of its employees were laid off. The Norfolk factory was shut down after 60 plus years of work. In 2018, Cado Products revealed that they had been present at the GFP auction and purchased several molds.
Are blow molds collectible?
There will always be a market for blow molds among people who truly love the holidays, Sansing said. “Those who jumped on the bandwagon and saw this as a road to riches will eventually go away,” she said. “But, it’s an enduring collectible.”
Why are they called blow molds?
The figures were called blow molds because they were made of hollow hard plastic that was formed in a mold. … Blow molds first appeared in the 1940s and were two dimensional until the 1950s when Empire Plastics and Union started making the famous pink flamingo yard ornaments.
When did Christmas blow molds come out?
Blow-mold lawn ornaments have been available in the United States from the 1940s to the present, but the popularity of the pink flamingo in the 1950s brought these ornaments to fame.
Who sells new blow molds?
The 8 Best Places to Buy Blow Mold Yard Decorations in 2021
- Amazon. Buy on Amazon. …
- Etsy. Buy on Etsy. …
- Home Depot. Buy on Home Depot. …
- Wayfair. Buy on Wayfair. …
- Ace Hardware. Buy on Ace Hardware. …
- Walmart. Buy on Walmart. …
- The Jolly Christmas Shop. Buy on Thejollychristmasshop.com. …
- eBay. Buy on EBay.
How do you weigh down a blow mold?
What are the disadvantages of blow Moulding?
Disadvantages of blow moulding
- Limited to hollow parts.
- Low strength.
- To increase barrier properties, multilayer parisons of different materials are used (thus not recyclable)
- Trimming is necessary to make wide neck jars spin.
- Limited to thermoplastics (rotational moulding can be used with thermosets)
What is the difference between blow molding and injection molding?
The major difference between injection molding and blow molding is the kind of product produced. Typically, blow molding is designed to produce hollow, singular containers, such as bottles. On the other hand, injection molding is used to produce solid pieces, such as plastic products.
What was the first blow mold?
They were popularized in 1957 by Don Featherstone and Union Products’ legendary Lawn Flamingo, which is the first thing that comes to most peoples minds when they think ‘Blow Mold’.
Who invented the blow mold?
In 1938, two inventors, Enoch Ferngren and William Kopitke, thought of a way to use the principles of glass blowing in the plastics industry. They created the first plastic blow molding machine and sold it to the Hartford Empire Company.
How do you fix a broken blow mold?
Where is Mr Christmas from?
Benjamin Bradley grew up in Boonville, Indiana. After earning his bachelor’s degree from Purdue University, he headed to the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York for his associates degree. A few years later, he made the Big Apple his permanent home.
How do you blow plastic mold?
How do you secure outdoor blow molds?
4. What are the best ways to secure outdoor blow molds? Using 2-3 plastic bags- fill the bags with gravel or heavy rocks and make sure to tie the bags tightly. Take care when putting the bags through the opening at the bottom of the blow mold so it doesn’t rip open.
Are blow molds popular?
They became popular in the 1930’s and have been a favorite vintage decoration ever since. You can find vintage blow molds or new reproductions of your favorite classic holiday characters. How do you change the bulb in blow mold decorations?
How do I keep my inflatables from falling over?
Sand and Gravel Bags. A simple and easy way to hold down any outdoor inflatable is using bags filled with sand or gravel. It is recommended that you use two or three bags to properly secure your decorations.
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