6" SF Mold Techniques

[txbassman]

I'm new to pouring soft plastics and was wondering if anyone could share tips and techniques on pouring these 6" SF molds. Thanks Txbassman

[millsryno]

I haven't pour that mold, yet, but I hear that the tail is difficult. From my understanding, you pour the body then use a scewer (sp) or toothpick and drag plastic from the body into the tail.

[borderbasser]

I have poured quite a few and the tail is difficult. I start at the head and work my way to the tail. I do one side of the tail to the tip and then the other side. If you use the microwave, use the one cup anchor brand. However, I switched to the small pouring pans, and would highly recomend it.

[AprilW]

Borderbasser is right, you really need to use the small long handled pans to pour into the molds that have small areas. The stream of plastic is not going to be narrow enough using a glass measuring cup.

The glass cup is good for heating and pouring into large areas. Make sure the glass is tempered and microwave safe with NO cracks or chips. Not all glass cups are microwave safe.

The long handled measuring cups you can pick up at WalMart for like $3.00. If they don't have a lip for pouring, crimp one in with pliers.

You can be using a few metal pans at once , keeping them hot on an eletric burner. This will cut down on the microwave reheats, especially if you have different colors going at the same time.

[AprilW]

Oh, I kept meaning to post this and always forget:

To keep the handles cooler on metal pans, wrap string tightly around them.

On glass cups it may not be a good idea, since you can't tell if they are cracked.

[txbassman]

Thanks for all the information I cant wait to start pouring.

[Fisher_of_One]

Just recieved my 6" SF. I Love it!!! awesome quality product, Del.

I don't know if i just suck at pouring or what, but.....everytime i pour i can get the main body fine and when i try to pull the plastic from the body to the tail it snaps back and makes it look like crap. I am doing things fast so as not to let anything cool...i have even tried keeping the mold itself hot so i have more working time to no avail.

And also every one i pour gets a sumped back. These really don't swim right..It is probably me but does anybody have any tips?

[Richard]

I just finished pouring some of those myself. I use the microvave method and pyrex cups. For everything but sticks, I use the 1 cup size.........it pours better. I pour the tail first and don't worry about overpouring them. I tried the "pull" method. It just desn't work for me. If you're getting the concave back, just pour more plastic in. The plastic contracts as it cools. The way the mold is made you really can't overpour the body. It's called surface tension, I believe. After the mold sits for a day, just trim the tails with a small pair if straight scissors which can be purchased at a fabric shop. This seems to work fine for me. Hope this helps.

[Fisher_of_One]

thanks richard i will try that instead of pouring with perfection...i think it will work...thanks bro. Lucky Fishing

[Fisher_of_One]

getting the hang of it...I poured 24 in about an hour using 2 colors. Sparkle bass green back and a pearly white belly. They turned out great for the most part, but they look like the Harbiro Gummy Frogs as far as the color combination goes. But i think i have the hang of it now.

[Richard]

Glad to hear it. I'm finding out it just takes practice. The great thing about this is there is no waste. Just keep re-melting.

[Delw]

one way if your having problems pouring the tail is to fill the mold all the way up then drag a tooth pick from the body towards the tip of the tail.
this will make the tails really nice with no trimming.

Dont forget when pouring fine lines you really need to use a pan of some sort.
we use the measuring cups from wall-mart
only fill them up 1/8 - 1/4 full . you want the pan to turn almost 90º before plastic starts to run out, this will give you a real fine line.

Delw

[ghostbaits]

I pour a lot different baits and have a few sf molds. I don't think the drag option is very efficient and you end up with some baits that just have to be re-melted. Not to mention toothpicks everywhere when you are done.

Just practice pouring. I use pyrex cups (1 cup size only) and have no problem pouring the tails perfect evey time (well almost every time :-) )

Pouring is just like anything else, the more you practice, the better you will get. You'll save time and toothpicks just pouring them out....

Maybe getting your plastic just a bit hotter will give you a thinner stream.

Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jim

[wannabefishing]

don't pour the SF, don't have a mold, but just a thought.. would using a soldering gun work to help split the tails?.. i realize it's definately not a solution for mass production, but it is if yuo're not pouring tonnes of them.. i think lol

[AprilW]

Not to mention toothpicks everywhere when you are done.



That struck me as funny.....you only need one and if you keep the rest put away, you won't risk scattering them around.

[Richard]

If we don't have toothpicks and stuff scattered around, then our wives will think we are playing and not working. Then, they'll really find something for us to do!:D

[davezak]

Make a 2 part mold...

I have out of plaster and it works fine...

You can still do the 2 pours... too for a fancy working bait!

Say u wanted a hologram black bait... Pour inthe hologram in the belly... Clost the mold and pour your black... Simple! I'm sure you guys know about that!!

Delw, can you make some 2 part mold of em??

[Fisher_of_One]

well i have found that the toothpick drag method doesn't work for me...however i recently purchased a plastic melting pot with lever controlled pour spout...and it does wonders for the tail....just go slow and steady and let the stream of plastic get as thin as possible and just keep going past the tail and cut the excess when it kools...the main body however can be poured blind folded from a 5 gallon bucket ( not literally, just stating how easy the main body is to pour) I have one color in a melting pan as the belly and whatever the back and tail are i put in the melting pot. the melting pot makes a fine steady stream making it easier to regulate the finesse neccessary for the tail.:)
Fisher Mike

[KsBassman]

Sorry to get off the sublect but Fisher-of-one would you mind telling me what kind of melting pot you are using? I'm in the market for one and any help would be great.Thanks

[Fisher_of_One]

i purchased mine from Jann's Netcraft.($59.95) It is small and its a little tricky regulating the temperature...but it does a great job for fine tune work. the best method is melt your plastics in an aluminum pot on a burner first to get your color and glitter right then preheat the melting pot... then pour your finished plastic into the melting pot for pouring. and STIR STIR STIR.......can't stress that enough....especially when glitter or salt are present.


http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/soft-plastic-lure-molds/734307906993.aspx