Pouring Tubes

[RS Cutom Baits]

I have been double dipping all my tubes and I get that little nipple at the head of the tube left over which I end up trimming, is there a technique to get that perfect roundness at the head of the tube?? it's realy not a big deal, but I was just curious if anyone has gotten it right.

Any help with this is greatly appreciated .

RS

[TBaits]

I haven't had a nipple problem on mine. I kinda turn mine when they come out of the plastic and not leave it straight in and straight out. I hope that makes sense.

[RS Cutom Baits]

Thanks Tbaits, nice looking tube.

I usually run off a whole bunch first and dip them again after, as i am holding the section of the tube where the tails are going to be cut, I tried lifting it after the excess has run off and before the palstic gets cold, I tend to get a lop sided head. I geuss I should leave it on the mandrel and then double dip it and turn it as you mentioned

appreciate the tip Tbaits.

RS

[bojon]

I have been double dipping all my tubes and I get that little nipple at the head of the tube left over which I end up trimming, is there a technique to get that perfect roundness at the head of the tube?? it's realy not a big deal, but I was just curious if anyone has gotten it right.

Any help with this is greatly appreciated .

RS

I have thought about using a small heat gun,but never really tried it.I figured just a bit of heat while being held upright,and still on the rod, might just smooth it down.The tube would look better,but I doubt it would help it fish better.Has anyone used a heat gun for plastics?

[TBaits]

I have thought about using a small heat gun,but never really tried it.I figured just a bit of heat while being held upright,and still on the rod, might just smooth it down.The tube would look better,but I doubt it would help it fish better.Has anyone used a heat gun for plastics?

I haven't used a heat gun in the type of situation, but I have used it to heat the plastic that covers the flourescent light covers for splash scenes in taxidermy applications. The heat covers a large area, so it might affect the whole tube and I never measured the temp coming out of the gun either.

[bojon]

I haven't had a nipple problem on mine. I kinda turn mine when they come out of the plastic and not leave it straight in and straight out. I hope that makes sense.

Turning them makes good sense.I never used a heat gun,but was looking at the small one at Micro Mart.Thought it may have a finer flow.

[TBaits]

That is true, I think if you can isolate a smaller area of heat and start further out and work til you find the right distance, that might just work. Turning the tubes worked on the first ones I did, but doing multiples (6 on one dip) at one time like I'm planning may not work as well so I will have to experiment and get back with you on the results.

[squigster]

That is true, I think if you can isolate a smaller area of heat and start further out and work til you find the right distance, that might just work. Turning the tubes worked on the first ones I did, but doing multiples (6 on one dip) at one time like I'm planning may not work as well so I will have to experiment and get back with you on the results.

In my experience doing one tube at a time creates a much better head unless your plastic is really hot. More than 2 tubes is hard to manage unless there in a row not in a circular pattern. The key of it working out is timing and the plastic being hot enough. It sounds like yours is a little cool or your not turning it upside down fast enough. I turn mine over while the pastic is almost on the last drip then I touch the dip cup with the excess plastic hanging down which pulls off the excess plastic and then I turn it over and you have minimal plastic thats still liquid on the head and will settle out. It just takes a little practice and youll get the timing. I say 6 in is hard in a circular pattern becasue when you tunr it over while its still dripping the plastic runs in different directions on each tube and its hard to manipulate them all in how the plastic runs. If they are in a row you can tilt them all and get the plastic to run the same way on all of them and manipulate the dripping plastic easier. I have seen an automated tube production dipper and they are all in a row for this reason. The problem is with them in a row you need a trough like container wide enough to hold them all. You can dip about 8 efficiently in a presto pot but you need a lot of plastic in it to get 3 1/2 to 4". Hope this helps

[RS Cutom Baits]

I wanted to thank everyone for there input. Looks like it's just a matter of practice, and getting the timming down right as squigster has put it.

RS