smallmouthaholic

Now- to add to the confusion. There is craft hair used to tie float 'n flies.I've tried the rest but always come back to craft hair for it's unique qualities and subtle action.

No- I stated I was incorrect in labeling the dual injector as a 3-1 ratio. The baits in all of the pics were shot w/ a 1-2.25 ratio injector. 1part top color w/ 2pts belly color pre-mixed in the shooting star system

This is the 1st day you wouldn't get frostbite if you went outside.We've had low single digits @ night and strong cold winds during the day Ultraviolet light is always better then fluorescent w/ a flash.

I mistakenly label my injector a 3:1 ratio. Basically w/ the 1:2.25 you use 1 part top color to 2 parts belly color. Here's some new pics that were finally taken outside w/out a flash showing true results and colors as the baits comer out of the molds.Some were taken using a single cavity,90 degree port which was notorious to produce mixing and a predominant top color and the larger bait from a 10 cavity vertical injection port

Some plastisols bubble more then others-not looking to start the plastisol war but that is the experienced truth.I'll refrain from the name game which others may choose to do so.

I swish lead heads in acetone prior to powder painting and have no problem. Acetone is a very fast,evaporating solvent.

Sally Hanson's "hard as nails'' is an excellent product.That said, You must let it completely dry for a day to remove the smell. I always have a spare bottle in the shop

Mix both of them together-carefully until you get the shade you require. Add new plastisol if necessary. It will most likely continue bleeding and you'll be disappointed in 5-6 months w/leftovers

Be careful heating your whites and pearls quickly on a high heat setting and monitor your temps. frequently.

Approximately 8-10 minutes.

Patent infringement suites are almost prohibitively expensive plus the losing party pays the winners attorney fees.

Similar to a design patent, trademark protection can include the shape or design of a product. Joe Hall, president of Blakemore Lure Company, Inc., trademarked his famous spinnerhead jig called the Road Runner. He was subsequently challenged in court by other manufacturers. Challengers said the Road Runner should have a utility patent rather than a trademark. Ironically, Hall set out to prove the opposite of what he would have to prove had he obtained a utility patent: that shape had nothing to do with function, rather than the other way around. “We were challenged twice,” Hall said. “But we were ready. We made another lure with a spinner attached to the head that had a different shape. It performed the same function as the Road Runner, which helped us maintain the validity of our trademark.” Read more: http://www.in-fisherman.com/uncategorized/inventor-beware/3/#ixzz3SZj9TbwJ

Making your own plastic worms/baits is an adventure- and can be a very expensive one @ that! There are no set answers and you learn every time you are willing to experiment to satisfy your end results.Let me say this- every manufacturer of plastisol has varied qualities in their own brand- some good ,some bad. You have to decide which works for you.Good luck!

The new Shooting Star System has a sump in the bottom of each pot so there is little waste.I had Chris Archer make me special fittings( for the original system) that tilted each Presto Pot towards the blending block reducing the leftover plastic by 50%. I prefer to cook the plastic in the Presto pots-using the microwave to heat leftovers just a bit.A microwave is not plastisol friendly

Here's a pic of the 3rd generation Shooting Star,2 color system

You must have the new ,Ultra-molds -Shooting Star System.It's a gem of an unit. About $1200.00 w/ all the bells and whistles. Heated injectors plus small aluminum pots w/ stirrers and individual,precise heater controls. You can also purchase the newer blending block w/ dual injectors that will attach to your presto pots( if they are still available). Chris Archer currently has a long waiting list for the new,complete system. Email is the best way to contact him. http://ultramolds.com/contact-page/

Thank you for the compliments gents.

These pics had to be taken indoors w/ a flash due to the extreme cold air temps. during this day and week.I believe the high today was 18 degrees. Featured are - A- 3-1 ratio,dual injector B- 4/ 2 color River darter swim-baits in sizes- 3.00"(solid body) 3.25"(solid body 3.75" slotted body 4.75" slotted body C- Single darter pic showing injection lines The baits have a glimmer ,iridescent natural minnow color that I have developed over time. The camera flash over emphasizes the glimmer to a degree.

You are quite welcome Steve.

Use compressed air thru a copper pipe-tapered to fit in the drain hole in each pot. Pots and blending block must be warm-hot. Use a plastic container in front of the blending block holes to confine the liquid plastic when blowing them out. Remove excess, .hardened plastic by hand then wipe the inside of the pot w/ a Simple Green towelette

Is the salt from Wal-Mart ultra-fine? Larger, granular salt causes a weaker bait.

They are flimsy,hot to hold and dangerous when filled 1/2 way w/hot plastisol. I shortened the length w/scissors which helped a bit but they have sat unused for 3 years in the bottom of my cabinet as I have no use for them.

I'll let Robo Worm do what he does best Possibly in the future- 3 pots w/ stirrers -custom blending block to accommodate a 3 barrel injector w/ 3 different size barrels.I can just imagine Chris Archer's response when i run that by him. My checkbook balance The pics will not capture the iridescent sheen/glimmer/highlight colors I can put into my swim-baits w/an airbrush but I will put them up in 3-4 days. You have to rotate them in sunlight to appreciate them. Please don't classify them as advertisement

Frank, I should be able to post some pics over the weekend or early next week.Your 3rd color request is where the expertise w/ an air brush comes in. I have 3-4 and 5 color swim-baits but they are very time consuming to produce.

I am extremely busy and shooting swim-baits @ this time- in between filling orders.I will post pics when I have time. That said.,this dual injector is the real deal w/ the 1-3 Ratio barrels that produces an excellent swim-bait w/ the belly color wider then to top.You must have the newer blending block to use this dual injector.Chris Archer @Ultra-molds is beyond busy so I suggest you order one soon or you may wait for a long time.