mc37

In the last few attempts I've had no air bubbles or voids, just the dimple on the nose. I think holding pressure may have a lot to do with it now.

Since these fellas have mentioned the 300 degree mark, I have been doing precisely what you just mentioned. That's the only way I can get the air bubbles from mixing out as it is. Just used the last of my fresh plastic so maybe I can elaborate on this temp method next week.

I'm using Do-it Essential series, there isn't a listed hardness or softness to it. I'd say it's a regular softness. Gonna have to research the spike it you guys spoke of for sure. I'm also beginning to think I'm not holding enough pressure. A few of you have mentioned holding pressure for extending periods of time. If I pull the injector off while the gate is still flowing, could that cause back flow up into the sprue leaving the indentions in the lure? That makes sense to me... What say ye?

Ok this plastic just isn't melting enough. It's fresh and not quite liquid at 300. Just doesn't seem workable. Is there a brand of plastic out there that has low melt temp?

I'll keep you posted.

Since my last reply I've struggled with what I believe is shrinkage on one side of the nose. I'll attach photos to show you guys what I'm dealing with. I originally was using 400 degree plastic since my gate and preheated injector kept freezing. I've been using Do-it essential series plastisol and I've been getting close to 10 reheats while adding a little fresh plastic every other reheat. Also being extremely careful in reheating at a slow rate to stave off scorching. I just don't feel like my plastic flows enough until it's about 330 degrees. I'm going to try with fresh plastic tonight, maybe that will help it flow at a lower temp. As far as rigging the bait. I've got a 10/0 3/4oz Trokar swimbair hook along with owner beasts of the same size. Playing with coffee stirs as a "line-thru" the nose in order to get the hook to ride completely in the hook slot.

10/0 Trokar magnum swimbait hooks 8/0 & 10/0 warbaits slayer swimbait jig heads I may even make it a line-thru with an 11/0 owner worm hook

big bass! I grew up killing bass on zoom flukes but they don't make them any where near big enough. Took matters into my own hands! I like throwing big 10" swimbaits but this lure will be able to get into the nasty places that treble hooks can't.

Yes I was heating it up to 400 because I didn't have anything to pre heat my injector and it was freezing up too fast on me. I've since started with a warm injector, dropped plastic to 345 and got a full bait this afternoon. Minor denting on the nose but by far the best casting I've had yet and FINALLY a useable bait! Gonna try again tomorrow with a temp closer to 325.

About to try again

I think that's exactly why I had so much trouble. So I've plugged the vent holes and I've began converting it to pour in to the nose. I had to make an alternate vent on the nose to help the pour flow a little better. I ended up using the injector on my second try and got a better result. Getting closer to a complete bait

I have a 10oz injector from bass tackle

Yes sir, that is what I was after when I designed the mold horizontally. Now I'm just desperate for a complete bait regardless of color! Lol

It's taking around 7oz plastic to fill it. Haven't got a full bait to weigh yet. I'm about to put some of y'all's tips to work. Going to try injecting 310 degrees first before I go converting the mold into a vertical pour. I designed it horizontally because I wanted gravity to help me make the belly a different color but I guess I could've made a better injector entry. I'll post later with results. Thanks a bunch guys.

Of course I wouldn't be adding hot plastic to a wet mold. I was thinking the jet dry may have an effect even after the mold is dried. I have been injecting a touch over 400 degrees so I'm gonna give 310 a try tonight. Coming down in temp I would definitely want to open the gate a bit more than it is.

I'm new to making my own soft plastics. I have a new large rtv silicone single cavity mold that i'm having trouble getting all the air out of for a complete casting of a lure. Starting to feel defeated since I've been trying different things. I've preheated my injector and the mold itself. I've added extra vents near the highest point and the most problematic point as well. I've even just added a vibrating table to the mix. I cant quite figure this one out. I've been reading about using Jet Dry diluted with water as a pretreatment for the mold to relieve surface tenson... thoughts? Am I running out of options? surely someone will be able to determine my problem from the pics any help will be greatly appreciated!

i'm a newbie as well, trying to properly vent my third home made rtv silicone mold is proving much harder than i thought. I have a large sincle cavity, two-piece mold that i have been injecting about 8oz of plastic into. I have 3 vents in the top, thinking of adding a fourth. any tips or tricks to making sure no air pockets are left inside the mold cavity?