Mold Question

[anselmo]

Hi guys

I'm looking for some advice as to the best way to make a mold for this bait?

note the complicated belly flap arrangement!

I thought of a 2 piece POP mold top pouring with sproes as shown and thin vent holes to allow the plastic to rise to fill as shown in this one:

this method will require some trimming but as these will be for me only the minor cosmetic flaws this will create are acceptable

Am I on the right track here?

Thanks in advance

Nick

Edited March 8, 2010 by anselmo

[longhorn]

Just some opinions here. Your proposed method is complicated and to me looks like it would have flow problems. I'd recommend RTV since the belly flap is complicated. A simple way to make a mold of this bait would be to trim off the dorsal fin (the fish actually might identify that profile as something harder to swallow anyway). Place the bait upside down on a cork tile lined with a sheet of plastic and use straight pins to hold it upright. You can then make the mold as shown in the tutorials. The resulting open mold will capture all the detail and allow you to make laminated pours. I'd recommend RTV but POP might work...just have to try it. Good Luck and let us know what you end up doing.

Edited March 8, 2010 by longhorn

[anselmo]

Just some opinions here. Your proposed method is complicated and to me looks like it would have flow problems. I'd recommend RTV since the belly flap is complicated. A simple way to make a mold of this bait would be to trim off the dorsal fin (the fish actually might identify that profile as something harder to swallow anyway). Place the bait upside down on a cork tile lined with a sheet of plastic and use straight pins to hold it upright. You can then make the mold as shown in the tutorials. The resulting open mold will capture all the detail and allow you to make laminated pours. I'd recommend RTV but POP might work...just have to try it. Good Luck and let us know what you end up doing.

Thanks

I had also considered doing that!

That method has the advantage of being able to mold a weighted jig hook into the body as well

It would be nice to get the whole fish shape with the dorsal fin but not essential

Nick

[DDSBYDAY]

You could make a 2 piece RTV mold. Route out a slot in your mold board for the tail to drop into. Make your parting line where the lateral line would run. ( There are good utube vids on 2peice mold making). Pour the top half. Let it set. Remove your clay or whatever you sealed it to the mold board with. and pour the other half. This way you can add layers as you pour, there will be minimal trimming and it will last for years.