Javelin Posted September 23, 2007 Report Share Posted September 23, 2007 I just bought a do-it ultra minnow mold and am using the mustad 32608NR hooks size 4. The problem I'm having is that there's a small hole in the side of the head right where the hook eye is. Does anyone have a solution? I'm wondering if this hook eye is too big. I have better results with pure lead but still am losing about half of my pours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clamboni Posted September 23, 2007 Report Share Posted September 23, 2007 Make sure the hook eye is located just behind the eye socket in the mold, that's the qidest part. Get your mold very hot, I leave mine on top of my pot while the lead is ehating up. The Mustad 32608's eye is slightly larger than the EC 205, that'll help out if you go to the EC. Make sure your hook and your wire fit tightly in the mold, I used a center punch to make an indentation right next to the groove for the wire so I can use lighter wire. If the wire and hook don't fit tight, they'll move when you stand the mold up, and the hook iwll rest against the side of the cavity every time, creating your incomplete pour. Also....if you're not selling the baits, I honestly wouldn't worry about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Javelin Posted September 23, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2007 Also, after you pour a head, how long should you leave the mold shut before opening it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clamboni Posted September 23, 2007 Report Share Posted September 23, 2007 Until the sprue hardens. Unless you're pouring the mold that has the 1oz head, as long as the sprue is hardened, the head will be. Just give it a couple more seconds before you take the head out of the mold, sometimes the inside will still be too soft and you can get a loose fitting hook. And use pliers to grab the hook, or you WILL burn yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadman Posted September 23, 2007 Report Share Posted September 23, 2007 Javelin, you can also use high-temp tape to hold your wireform in place in the mold. Then close your mold and pour away. Take spinnerbait out and put the next one in using the same piece of tape. I get about 30 pours with the little piece of tape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smalljaw Posted September 24, 2007 Report Share Posted September 24, 2007 I have a little tip to give you, once you have your mold pretty hot, put the wire form and hook in and close the mold for a few seconds before you pour, this will get the hook pretty warm also which will help get the lead around the hook eye. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reeves Posted September 24, 2007 Report Share Posted September 24, 2007 Just my opinion here, but I never remove a bait from the mold by grabbing the hook to remove it. I will always use the sprue to extract the bait from the mold thus eliminating any chance of loosening the hook to wire connection. When you get rolling along and pouring up a batch, I know I tend to not pay close attention to the time between pouring and removing. That whole body must be cool to avoid loosening the hook. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadman Posted September 24, 2007 Report Share Posted September 24, 2007 Just my opinion here, but I never remove a bait from the mold by grabbing the hook to remove it. I will always use the sprue to extract the bait from the mold thus eliminating any chance of loosening the hook to wire connection. When you get rolling along and pouring up a batch, I know I tend to not pay close attention to the time between pouring and removing. That whole body must be cool to avoid loosening the hook. You are absolutely right George. I learned that from a guy when I first started pouring. What I do once the lead is poured into the mold and the sprue forms on top, I open the mold and tap the sprue with long nose pliers. The jig then falls out with the sprue really easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outfshn Posted September 24, 2007 Report Share Posted September 24, 2007 Just from experience when pouring spinnerbaits I heat the wires and hooks in the oven so the lead flows throughout the entire mold. They don't need to be really hot but a warm hook is always better than a cold hook. This gives me a good pour almost all of the time, otherwise a cold hook and wire will cool the lead as soon as it is poured in the mold. Just a tip from my workbench... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Javelin Posted September 24, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 24, 2007 Thank you guys for all your help. I poured about 30 today with only a few rejects. Got that file thing going on the sprue to smooth it out and heads look great. Gonna look for a smaller file though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted September 25, 2007 Report Share Posted September 25, 2007 This problem could be solved with a dab of plumbers flux. It cleans the surface and promotes adhesion. I brought this up a while back and Hoodaddy replied that he uses it with success. http://www.tackleunderground.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9654&highlight=flux Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
