Abstract: The invention is an apparatus for molding an article made of layed up materials having opposed principle surfaces, such as one that is hollow tubular shaped. In detail, the invention includes a first mold part for forming one surface of the article on which the layup is placed and a second mold part for forming the opposite surface. Additionally included are rubber layers placed on both surfaces of the layup which expand when heated compacting the layup. A containment structure is mounted about the first and second mold parts and is in moveable relationship to the first and second mold parts. First and second inflatable bags are mounted between the containment structure and the first and second mold parts for balancing the loads on the mold parts while the silicon rubber layers compact the layup.