Romeo D Posted January 30, 2009 Report Share Posted January 30, 2009 I have been lurking, reading and gathering info from the site and manage to make a several molds of a few of my favorite plastic lures this past week. I also had an idea for a prototype that I made a mold of as well. I am finding this to be very addicting. I first made a mold of a prototype stick worm with RTV silicone. I could not wait for my order to come in from Smooth on so I purchased some locally at Tap Plasitcs. The amount you get for 30 bucks is about half the amount you get with oomoo 30 in the trial size. Since it was not a one to one mixture, I used the whole thing and scraped plans of the 2 piece mold for later. I placed 2 versions of my prototype on the bottom a container and mixed up my RTV and catalyst. I then poured it over my prototype in a small stream on one end as to minimize bubbles. after it covered my prototype, I noticed quite a bit of small bubbles appear at the surface. I then thought of using the food saver and the marinating bowl. I placed the mold box inside the marinating bowl and applied vacuum with the food saver. A lot of tiny bubbles surfaced to the top. I do not think the vacuum is strong enough, maybe in the future I will build a small plastic tank with thick walls and use an AC vacuum compressor to apply a stronger vaccum if I find myself making more molds (i think it would work with DWP too). After the mold set, I removed it from box and could see my prototype slightly in the mold, I used a razor blade to slice straight down the middle of the protoype and I was able to remove it. I am thinking I can just pour plastic in the groove and close up the seam while it is still in liquid form and scrape the excess off the top. then remove when the plastic sets since the RTV is so flexible. If I find I like my prototype, I will move on to a 2 part mold of it. I also made some DWP molds of some chunks. My first mold broke in the middle when I tried to remove it from the box. It was my fault as I did not give it enough time to set.... I need to be more patient with these molds.. I was able to fix it with some glue and DWP mixture and on my next mold I used a screen material from Home Depot to give some reinforcement. (I used a hair dryer to straighten it since it was rolled up and wanted to stay curled.) the next one did not break in half when I removed it. I also found out that I have used a bit too much silicone to keep my plastic down in the tray but still usuable. (note to self, use sparingly and wait give it time to set or try Locktite plastic glue Mr. Pic. Pike recommended) It worked out better for me than double sided tape. I did not get the sticky adheasive on the mold and did not have any plastic lift off. I then made a 2 part DWP mold of a stick worm. I started by mixing a small amount of DWP for the bottom of the mold and place the screen material on that layer. When it firmed up but was still wet, I placed my sticks on top with some wieghts to act as the sprue. I mixed a little more DWP a little more wet this time. I sifted the DWP into the water this time and slowly poured it into the mold until it reached halfway up the stick worm, I did not have a problem with bubbles. After it set, I drilled some small index holes into it and then applied 50/50 elmers/water onto the surface and baked it at 175 for 1 hour then left it in the oven over night. Then I put it back in the mold box and put vaseline on the surface of the first cast, used a hair dryer to even out the vaseline. I then sifted more DWP into some water until just right, and poured slowly over the first cast, then before it got too hard, I placed more screening material into the the top cast. I am anxiously waitnig for it to cure up as I write.. I am trying to put together a list of stuff to buy, I already modded a presto pot with all the info I gathered from you all, I just need to buy a motor and make a mixer for it and build a stand. So much more to buy, plastic, colorant, glitter, etc. Might have to put some of my old fishing gear for sale on Ebay:lol: Thanks for everyones help too many to mention, reading what worked for you saved me a lot of time and made this very enjoyable. Ps, any tips on making the Zoom's flipping blue color? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted January 30, 2009 Report Share Posted January 30, 2009 Welcome to TU Romeo D. Man, you have been buzy, you are in such a hurry too. But this is understandable with a hobby such as this. Good post. Lay it out there and let people learn. Keep up the good work. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveh Posted January 30, 2009 Report Share Posted January 30, 2009 here is a photo of flippen blue. looks like just blue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bear21211 Posted January 31, 2009 Report Share Posted January 31, 2009 Our Marine Blue will get you that color. The Royal Blue is to deep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveh Posted January 31, 2009 Report Share Posted January 31, 2009 i poured a few chunks in blue a that wasn`t it. marine blue mat be it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsworms Posted January 31, 2009 Report Share Posted January 31, 2009 I'm not familiar with Bear's (his is probably dead on too), but LC's California Blue always did the trick for "Flippin' Blue". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bear21211 Posted January 31, 2009 Report Share Posted January 31, 2009 This ir our 2 blues we have . Marine Blue Royal Blue I think the Marine blue will get you just about there. Thanks Bear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romeo D Posted February 2, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2009 Thanks Bear that helps me out a lot. Nice chunk mold! Vodkaman... I enjoy reading your posts.. you seem to bring the "Alton Brown" approach to the tackle craft. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
