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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the free custom mold files I offer.

These designs started out for my own use, because I did not like the molds available for purchase or the free models available to print. I am a roller and a designer. Often the mold geometry made molds difficult to close, or the files took too much material and time to print when all I was trying to do was mold a cigar or two. The free files are meant for people who print their own, and they differ in some ways from the molds I sell, which incorporate all of my preferred features for rolling.

To date, my cigar mold files have been shared more than 2,500 times, through free downloads and custom requests made on this site.

I do not sell cigars or tobacco-related products. I provide digital files for 3D printing, and offer molds for sale.

3D printed molds work, are affordable, and can be efficiently customized for many different styles of cigars. I personally really enjoy the use of wood molds, but they can also be a luxury item for many rollers. 3D printing is a manufacturing process well suited to quick, one-off custom designs, and these mold designs are of good quality. Being able to print them in your own home whenever you want is of significant importance.

I typically aim to have the models designed and sent within 12-24 hours.

I provide *.STL (stereolithography) files, but have other formats I can provide on special request.

I will send the models to you free of charge under the agreement that if you find value, you provide equal value back to me in return. I believe that part of the value I provide to you comes in the form of the time I have spent designing the models, the time I spend customizing the models specifically for you, the time I have saved you from creating your own models, and ultimately in what benefit/value the printed molds give to you.

I am very open to most of the ideas generous folks come up with for returning value. I openly admit to preferring cash, but have also appreciated many of the items folks have sent that help me to continue my efforts. One item I want to address is the common offering of social media promotion. While this is certainly appreciated, I see promotion as matching the value of this website and service existing. The models, design work and support I provide are in addition to that, and should be considered too.

Most people are very generous. Very few people receive value without returning any, and that is their choice.

First, print a calibration square and check your printer for x-y skew; significant skew will keep the mold halves from going together. The files are set at tolerances that most printers should be able to manage. If the halves go together but are too tight for your preferences, contact me and I can help find a solution.

I sell finished molds, made to order, on the molds page, and any of them can be customized. Local and online printing services are another option.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I highly recommend a printer from Bambu Lab. I have used them and find them very intuitive, easy to use, fast and accurate. You can use my Amazon affiliate link, or check out their website directly and wait for some of the good sales they have. I also printed my own molds on an affordable Creality Ender 3 V2 for years.

If you would like specific design changes to the mold, please share them with me. I might not change my base design, but I have made tweaks for people on a regular basis. Please note that the base design uses features I have selected because I know they work.