jimcline

Doc, try LC. they actually have an electric blue color. I have it and it's pretty cool. JIM

That would be Bojon

TackleCrafter, nice design on the lures, they should be a smallie killer. You can use a 50/50 mix of elmers glue and water to seal your molds. Mix it up and then fill your cavities and let it soak in. And do the edges too. do thi several times and you should be ready to go. let er' dry and pur em' up. Welcome to the fun, JIM

Sox, you can find a mold for these tiny brush hogs on Bear's site. I have a couple of them and they make a 3.75 in bait . Nice little bait that should really catch some good smallmouth in the creeks around here. JIM

Empire, that cat cracks me up

Shawn, are you talking about aluminum molds? I don't use any kind of release agent for my 2 piece aluminum molds and have no problems. The only time I use anyyhing is if I'm dipping tubes. Then I use a little cooking spray (pam or something similar) on the dipping rods. This helps the finished tubes slip off the rods much easier. JIM

Frank, I may be mistaken, but I think he is just selling off some of his old molds. I believe he may use an injection machine, but can't say for sure.

Irish, you might also try letting your first dips cool and then go back and dip after they've cooled for a few minutes. This will really build up a heavy tube. Also, Bojon once told me that he sometimes actually keeps his rods cold so as to build up more plastic on the initial dip. If he says it , I believe it. And definitely get some harder plastic. JIM

My mistake Jig Man.

PP, yes there are several types of tail cutters out there. The best one is the one that Bojon was making. I'm not sure he still is. I got one from him and it really works. Picture a bunch of small pizza cutter blades fitted together on a rod with the ends of a mini rolling pin for handles. There is also the mallet type which involves a bunch of stanley blades fitted into holder and then you use a mallet of some sort to tap the top of it to cut the tails of your tubes. The rotary type that Bojon makes is far superior though, and much easier. Again, I'm sure he will be glad to help you with the plans to make one yourself. It's well worth pursuing. Tubes may just be the fish catchingest bait on the planet. But I am kind of biased . JIM

Okay, first I would advise you to do a search on tube dipping on here and anything posted on the subject by a member called Bojon. The guy is the absolute best at horizontal tube dipping. Okay that said, let's work on your problem. To do horizontal dipping you will need to change your basic set-up. If I understand correctly, you are filling the inside of your tubes and then basically just pulling the plastic out after it sets. For normal dipping the plastic will be on the outside of the rods so you'll be pulling the finished tubes off the outside of the rod. Remember, use a little Pam or some kind of cooking spray to lube the rods. You will need to plug one end of your rods with jb weld or something similar. It will be much easier if you put a small wad of tissue paper in first so you don't waste any of your material. Then you'll need to jb weld some "handles" in the other ends. You can use pieces of wire coat hangers for this. Bend a short L in one end of your pieces of wire and then jb that short end into the end of your dipping rods. I'd try to glue at least an inch or so deep if you can. Or you can you use solid aluminum rod for your dipping rods. I like the 3/8 size. That's what I use and I tend to like them better than the the hollow rods. You can use a grinder to round off the head end to make a better looking tube. You can get the aluminum rod at Lowe's or Home Depot, etc. After the JB sets, you're ready to dip tubes. But like I said research Bojon's posts and you'll get a real eye opener. He actually has a dvd on how to do it. And Ron is always willing to answer questions you may have. I hope any of this helps. If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask, JIM

Jig Man, a couple of suggestions. First, if you're not dead set on staying with this method, why not try to make dipping rods out of those same tubes and do horizintal dipping? It's easy to learn and the color combination ar endless. Second, I see your point about saving money, but in the long run are you saving? Bear's injectors run about 50.00 for a small injector and they'll last forever. You may have to change o-ring every now and then but that's it. If you want to stay with your rig, I see a way to use one of his injectors, or Del's too. I haven't used Del's but I'm sure they would work also. With Bear's, you could use a 1/2 in brass close nipple or reducer and reduce it to the size injection nozzle you need. The 1/2 inch close nipple has a 5/8 id and will take one of Bear's nozzle perfectly. Then it's just a matter of inserting your nozzle into into the tube jig you're using and then fitting the injection nozzle into the close nipple and you're good to go. Just make sure you've got a solid "connection" so to speak so you don't spray hot plastic all over the place. Iknow the close nipples work well because I've been making injection plates for my one piece molds from both Del's and Bob's and they're a perfect fit. And the molds shoot lights out by the way without even having to cut vents. I hope any of this helps, JIM

What brand of plastic are you using? Calhoun's already has the heat stabilizer in it. Also, what temp are you cooking your plastic? You might be running too hot. Do yourself a favor and get yourself a digital infrared thermometer. You can keep a very good watch on your temp this way. Remember, as you reduce the level of your plastic in the pot the temp rises, so adjust your temp to compensate. Sounds to me like you're scorching the plastic. Hpoe this helps, JIM

And he ain't lying to you.he can and will help you any way he can. Seriously, if Ron can't help you, then you can't be helped, at least with tubes. Personally, I learned a ton from him. So contact him, you'll be pleasantly surprised at the depth of his knowledge about tubes and his willingness to share that knowledge. Ron really epitomizes what this website is all about. Good luck.

I'm sure you could cut them down. It would shorten your tails a little but if you don't mind that give it a try. Or you could always dip your own.Do a search on here on a guy called Bojon and you'll learn more about making tubes than you thought possible. Good luck, JIM

Capitol, it sounds like you've got couple things going o here. First with your plastic, I think you've got what's called hard packing. You really have to mix this stuff well especially if it's been sitting around for awhile. Put a few nuts and bolts in the jug and that will help with the mixing. If you have a paste on the bottom of the jug, that's the hardener that's settled down. You may have to scrape it off the bottom and them mix it with paint mixing paddle or something . Once you get it blended again this should solve your plastic problem, just keep it mixed well. I use Calhoun's and never have any problem with it. Second, your colorant. It's settled too. If you'reshaking it and it's still not mixing you might try mixing a little MEK in it to get it liquid again. MEK is short for a chemical called Methyl Ethyl Ketone. You can find at a paint store or maybe Lowe's or something similar. When I looked for it though, I could only find it in the gallon continers so it wasn't worth it to me. It may be cheaper to buy new color unless you can find it in smaller quantities. Hope any of this helps, JIM

I'm pretty sure Bear has a 3 inch mold if that helps. The good thing about it is you don't have to cut the tails. Hope this helps, JIM

Chris, nice baits. I like the swirls, JIM

Dude, it could be any of the above but it's probably scorching. And 152 is right about white being easy to scorch, I've done it more than once myself. If you don't have an infrared digiatal themometer, then by all means consider one. It'll save you a ton of trouble as you can keep a close eye on your temp. You can get them at Lowe's, Sears, Home Depot etc. Hope this helps, JIM

Yeah, I'm with BBK on this one. I doubt KVD has to make his own worms

lost, there was a tutorial on here a while back about making a lead mold out of aluminum using a Dremel tool. Just do a search and see what you find.

Now that is a question you'll have to ask bear tobe sure, but as far as I know the answer is no.But ask him to be sure. I promise you he won't mind.

No this is a 2 pc injection mold.