gofish,ill Posted February 29, 2008 Report Share Posted February 29, 2008 im new here and also just wanting to really git into pouring soft plastics.all ive done so far is mainly experiment some.i was wondering if anyone heres tried to pour really small soft plastic baits?ive had mixed results but im kinda WAY behind you guys in knowledge right now......im thinking of trying to make "really" small baits.....thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longhorn Posted February 29, 2008 Report Share Posted February 29, 2008 What size in inches are you talking about? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smallie Posted February 29, 2008 Report Share Posted February 29, 2008 Do you mean baits for Crappie fishing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly Posted February 29, 2008 Report Share Posted February 29, 2008 I am in the same boat. Are you talking about 3/4 in. bug maybe with little arms sticking out all over. I am trying to make ice fishing plastics (small) as well. If any one has ideas, or help I second the need for info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LooksLikeSinbad Posted February 29, 2008 Report Share Posted February 29, 2008 This guy makes some really nice small plastics. These craws are only 1.5" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maltrout Posted February 29, 2008 Report Share Posted February 29, 2008 I pour some very small baits under and inch sometimes. Best advice is to use really soft plastic ( I use Lurecraft 536 plastic for this, and even add a little softner if the bait has legs and arms like a crayfish). Heat the plastic up in the microwave in 30-60 second increments. I use the pouring pans from lurecraft also but I also bend them so the spout is a sharper angle. This makes for a smaller plastic stream and pours great as long as the plastic is the right temp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LedHed Posted February 29, 2008 Report Share Posted February 29, 2008 Herter's and another company use to make small critter molds that you can still find on ebay. They were used much the same way you would use the creepy crawler molds. Pour the plastic in the mold and then cure in the oven. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dumzlures Posted February 29, 2008 Report Share Posted February 29, 2008 Hi, These little craws are make by D&J They make a lots of lures for major companys. Dominic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gofish,ill Posted March 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2008 im thinking of 1" and smaller....ice fishing jigs out of lead wire wrapped hooks covered in plastic.thanks for the info so far!those lil craws are awsome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smallie Posted March 1, 2008 Report Share Posted March 1, 2008 It's all about the size of the stream and the steadiness of the hand. Heat and the brand of plastic affect stream and steadiness of hand is a gift. 1 inch and smaller baits are out of my league. The small appendages are the hardest on 3 and 4 inch baits - I can't imagine trying to pour appendages on these little baits. I might try a small grub but that is about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted March 1, 2008 Report Share Posted March 1, 2008 From the above, I assume that small patterns are difficult. This is probably because the plastic was not deep enough to 'push' the plastic into the legs or fine detail. A perfect application for vacu-venting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smallie Posted March 1, 2008 Report Share Posted March 1, 2008 I was thinking that very thing. How small can you go Vodkaman? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike-A-Pike Posted March 1, 2008 Report Share Posted March 1, 2008 Vman. Didn't you use vacu-venting for that spider you poured back a few months ago? I remember the other legged creature thingy that you vacu-vented to pull the plastic into the legs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSC Posted March 1, 2008 Report Share Posted March 1, 2008 I do not know who makes the Plastisol that you cure in the mold (this is what I started with back in 1959) and you could do all kinds of things with small stuff as well. I will keep an eye out as this Vinyl is still being used but seems to have dropped out of the do it yourself category. The last connection I had with some one that could compound it is out of biz now. JSC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSC Posted March 1, 2008 Report Share Posted March 1, 2008 The "Cure In The Mold" Plastic (Vinly) was super for small stuff as well as doing all kinds of "coloring". I started out with it in 1959 .. Then along came "Hot Melt" and the rest is history. I do not know at the present of any supplier as the last contact I had that could compound it is retired and I do not know how to get a hold of him (Bob Pasley .. where are You ??). If I find any source will let you know .. sounds like that this is what would work for you. JSC Sorry about the double post ... Did not think that the first one had taken =:^) JSC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LedHed Posted March 1, 2008 Report Share Posted March 1, 2008 The plastic used by Herter’s was known as Fleshex Vinyl Plastisol. Another company that offered molds that are very similar (no numbers on the molds) to Herter’s molds is MAK UR BAIT out of Cleveland. Both used the same curing technique. You can find the plastisol kits that you can use in these molds on ebay. You can get all kinds of colors and glow in the dark stuff. Search "creepy crawler". There are some pretty cool creepy crawler molds – you want the early 60s’ without a B in the model number (best detail). The Herter’s and MAK UR BAIT molds have a lot of fine detail and according to the cut sheets the detail was achieved by filling the cavity, then using a toothpick (pointed rod) draw the plastisol into the legs, antennas, etc. from the center of the cavity out. MAK UR BAIT states that the cure temp/time is 375F for 1 to 3 minutes on a hot plate. Herter’s cure temp is 350 – 375F. Never tried it but regular plastisol should work. JSC Thnx for the date – was curious when the molds were first offered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted March 1, 2008 Report Share Posted March 1, 2008 Smallie, I have not done any small stuff, just a few difficult leggy molds to prove the system. If you or anyone would like to send me a picture with a few key dimensions of a small pattern that you consider unpourable. I would be happy to do one more mold for testing the system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDC Posted March 1, 2008 Report Share Posted March 1, 2008 there is a Herter's kit, with molds and Fleshex on ebay now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smallie Posted March 1, 2008 Report Share Posted March 1, 2008 That's amazing. Herters went out of business 30 years ago and I assume the fleshex is still pourable. I wonder if it has a shelf life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSC Posted March 1, 2008 Report Share Posted March 1, 2008 Hi Guys Herters, Finnysports and the one that I bought from was "666" Plastics a small company (husband & wife) they carried plastic, molds, coloring and all. Attached is a couple of molds do not remember where they came from .. I think Finnysports. (If I am not mistaken Janns is from Finnysports?). A little more "Trivia" JSC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassn1 Posted March 1, 2008 Report Share Posted March 1, 2008 I loved my Creepy Crawler set when I was a kid, maybe that's why I'm so addicted to pouring now!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSC Posted March 1, 2008 Report Share Posted March 1, 2008 You know before the "Creepy Crawler Set" came out I made my first Plastic worms and to make them different I strung some rubber thread thru the head so that it potruded out each side also one peice thru the tail ... would "Swim" .. I Named It "Creepy Crawler" (Jim Bagley followed suit with his "Hard Head" worm .. I ran an ad in a little Fl. Fishin News Paper and this is where he picked it up) Note that cure in the mold Vinyl would not "Eat" the rubber for many years of storage ... Now if I could only find one of them .......... JSC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delw Posted March 1, 2008 Report Share Posted March 1, 2008 From the above, I assume that small patterns are difficult. This is probably because the plastic was not deep enough to 'push' the plastic into the legs or fine detail.A perfect application for vacu-venting. theres a post floating around from like 2002-2003 were it explains how to use a a/c vaccum pump from harbor frieght ( like around 30 bucks) and do berkley trout worms those little things in the jar that are around 1/16 of an inch. there should be some pics also. I was thinking that very thing. How small can you go Vodkaman? about 1/16 of an inch with hot plastic in an alum mold, with a pop or silacon mold you might be able to get smaller due to they won't disipate heat as much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delw Posted March 1, 2008 Report Share Posted March 1, 2008 I loved my Creepy Crawler set when I was a kid, maybe that's why I'm so addicted to pouring now!! me too those things were cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gofish,ill Posted March 2, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2008 thanks fer the info.ive been able to make baits with tail or legs smaller than 1/32 but actually inject the plasic with a syringe for injecting meat..extremely tedious to load up the plastic and had to drill tiny vent holes in the mold.had lots of trouble at times with "flashing" round the baits...what would you suggest to make the mold from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
