milrtyme24 Posted June 29, 2011 Report Share Posted June 29, 2011 Since this is my very first post I would like to say that this is the most informational and the best site I have ever ran across about making fishing lures, equipment and just about everything you could imagine, most of you guys are great and if I could list everyones article I find interesting it would just take to long. Now to the question, it's probably been covered and it might be well a newbie question but when you pour a plastic swimbait how do you get the flat top of the swimbait to look so professional? Right now I just have a lure craft mold, can't remember the number but it is the one that is rigged for jig heads when you pour it, kind of like the yamamoto style, I've got the 894 on order , but every time I pour I have to trim around the top because I usually over pour and it looks like crap where your guys are always smooth around the top edges like longhorn for example. Is it just technique or is there a better way of doing it. I use an exacto knife but can never get it smooth. I've been bass fishing for close to 20 years but only in the last month or two I have had an interest in making baits and this site has fueled the fire, haha. I use an iPad for Internet connection so it will take me a while how to post pics and all that stuff but I just wanted to say thanks to the person who created this site and a big thanks to all you guys who participate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Posted June 29, 2011 Report Share Posted June 29, 2011 I have poured alot of those lately. When I get an over pour I use scissors, just a little easier to control for me. But On one of my alumium molds I have a top with an injection port, this lets it be flat and has a resevior to draw from when it cools. You also can try and not fill it up so much but you will still get a concave top. Frank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pitbull Baits Posted June 30, 2011 Report Share Posted June 30, 2011 Could you put a picture of what you are talking about up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nedyarb Posted June 30, 2011 Report Share Posted June 30, 2011 Could you put a picture of what you are talking about up? Really? He is talking about when you pour a swimbait and it shrinks, causing it to be concave. And if yu overflow it you have to trim it for 20 minutes to make it look decent. I have the same problems. Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milrtyme24 Posted June 30, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2011 That's for replying Frank and Pitbull as soon as I figure out how to add pics I will, this iPad is a little different from the laptop so I will work on that. Nebyard is right on the money, that's what I was talking about, when I pour it usually sinks a little bit causing a crease in the top of the swimbait or if I over pour it takes me a while to trim it out and it does not look great, I know looks do not catch fish but I like to show my friends what I learn on tu. If it's technique I guess I'll have to keep trying but if there is a certain way to do it then any help would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romeo D Posted June 30, 2011 Report Share Posted June 30, 2011 Could you put a picture of what you are talking about up? Frank is probably talking about a flat aluminum plate or stock to put over a top pour aluminum swimbait mold with a hole to inject through and a reservoir to draw from as the plastic cools. No picture really needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nedyarb Posted June 30, 2011 Report Share Posted June 30, 2011 Frank is probably talking about a flat aluminum plate or stock to put over a top pour aluminum swimbait mold with a hole to inject through and a reservoir to draw from as the plastic cools. No picture really needed. Someone posted a tutorial on how to make cheap inserts, and there pic of the swimbait looked absolutely perfect. So I bought the same mold and attempted to pour the swimbaits. But I have had the same problem, if I don't pour enough plastic when it cools it sucks it in. If I add too much I have to trim a lot of excess. I'm guessing there is a learning curve on when to sop ouring. I have tried pouring a lot of plastic and the placing an aluminum mold over it. But I still had a lot of flash to trim. Oh well, I will keep experimenting. I will look for the pic of the swimbait. Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nedyarb Posted June 30, 2011 Report Share Posted June 30, 2011 Here is the pic, and by the way, I know Pitbull personally so I was just busting his balls!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longhorn Posted June 30, 2011 Report Share Posted June 30, 2011 I pour with pans so it's much easier to control than pyrex and I've been doing this for 35 years. I think it's mostly a matter of experience. Probably the reason you think the bait in the pic looks so perfect is that it's been dipped in clear to about the back of the hook...if you look closely on the side you can see the dip line. Did that to seal the eye and kill spot. The concave top is not an issue to me. The high dollar commercial baits are like that too. The most common mistake is trying to pour with too much in the cup or pan, also brace your pouring hand with your other hand supported by your table or bench...make a big difference. With a little practice you'll soon be pouring without having to trim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRegulator Posted June 30, 2011 Report Share Posted June 30, 2011 Milrtyme24, The hotter the plastic is when you pour the more shrinkage you will have. Try pouring with the plastic only as hot as you need to pour. Don't over pour, but top it off as shrinkage occurs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pitbull Baits Posted June 30, 2011 Report Share Posted June 30, 2011 wait tell it cools so you can handle it and remove it from the mold with deforming it. Then lay it on a something smooth. That will give it a flat smooth top. Since you have one with a hook coming out the top make cut a slit in something smooth so you can lay it flat. If that's what you guys are talking about. if you look at some of the other big company swim bait makers the tops do dip down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pitbull Baits Posted June 30, 2011 Report Share Posted June 30, 2011 Here is the pic, and by the way, I know Pitbull personally so I was just busting his balls!!! Any day you need a lesson in pouring you let me know. So I can set up a classroom for ya and dig out the crayon's nedyarb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basscandy92040 Posted June 30, 2011 Report Share Posted June 30, 2011 I use Lee pots but that mold takes a lot of plastics I have it also....So I dont think even the large Lee pot would work that great... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pirkfan Posted July 1, 2011 Report Share Posted July 1, 2011 I have poured alot of those lately. When I get an over pour I use scissors, just a little easier to control for me. But On one of my alumium molds I have a top with an injection port, this lets it be flat and has a resevior to draw from when it cools. You also can try and not fill it up so much but you will still get a concave top. Frank When I over pour I use a rotary pizza cutter on a cutting board to trim the "flash" Works very quickly and tends to follow the edge of the bait Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milrtyme24 Posted July 1, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2011 Optional={option} and content=Thanks guys for the replies. I will try all the techniques you guys suggested and keep practicing and yes that was the pic of the swimbait longhorn made, looks very professional, I'm going to swith back to my laptop so I won't have all these spelling errors. If anybody has an iPad, you know what I'm talking about, this thing tries to correct a word that you type and putscan entirely different word in it's place. I havent had it that long, but thanks for the help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romeo D Posted July 1, 2011 Report Share Posted July 1, 2011 Optional={option} and content=Thanks guys for the replies. I will try all the techniques you guys suggested and keep practicing and yes that was the pic of the swimbait longhorn made, looks very professional, I'm going to swith back to my laptop so I won't have all these spelling errors. If anybody has an iPad, you know what I'm talking about, this thing tries to correct a word that you type and putscan entirely different word in it's place. I havent had it that long, but thanks for the help. I have one. You can use the "notes" app to store your recipes into. Makes it easier to find over a paper notepad especially after your neighbors cat decides to use it as a litter box. Long story... Check your firmware. The latest firmware has helped a lot with the word replacement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kajan Posted July 1, 2011 Report Share Posted July 1, 2011 With that mold, if you used a presto pot to pour with, you would not have any trimming to do. As far as the shrinkage, you would pour it, let it sit few seconds and re top it off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
