Beginner Needing To Know The Ropes!

[wyeliab]

My son and I are big into fishing and have decided that instead of buying tons of baits that we would venture out and start making our own. If nothing else we can make them for ourselves and if it goes further then that and becomes a small business then so be it. What I need to know is if someone on here can give me a "shopping list" of the items needed so I can start molding my own baits from home. Any feedback is greatly appreciated!

[toadfrog]

First I'd say watch the forum tutorials on soft plastics and how to make rtv molds . The cheapest way to get started is to make your own molds . Plus the knowledge gained for your son could be priceless . Once you have done that you can decide if you want to do hand pours or injection molding . Most mold makers have starter kits containing the mold of choice a jug of plastic and colorants. I would suggest Bears Baits to start or just google cnc molds and supplies . For a large selection of hand pour molds Lure Craft is a good start . If you are into Pan fish go to Jacobs Baits for a good selection of injection molds. WARNING THIS IS A HOBBY THAT IS ADDICTIVE ! If your not careful you can spred thousands on it .

[tupong]

Making your own molds is fun, but it isnt cheapRTV silicone isnt cheap and pop molds are great but take sometime to master and in comparrison to some open pour molds its cheapr to by molds, unless you enjoy making molds.

Any of the guys that sell cnc machined molds will help you out , THEY ARE ALL very helpful guys and all have starter kits.

Apart from molds you'll need : HEAt proof saftey gloves , saftey glasses preferably a face shield if your injecting, fan, respirator too remove smoke and smells , microwave or some sytem of heating your plastic, pyrex jugs AND a PLACE THAT IS SAFE TO COOK THE PLASTIC NOT YOUR KITCHEN.

The glitter/fleck the colorant molds plastisol can all be brought from one of the guys that make the molds and sells the stuff you need as a kit . I got my first kit from BEars BAits and it was great but all the guys have them and they all offer great service.

And yes like toad said its very addictive ...so dont start

regards mick

[TTDuckman]

I would recommend 2 piece aluminum molds and an injector right from the start as that is where you will head in a couple of months anyways. Buy plastic in as big a quantiity as you can and realize that a gallon won't go very far. Scrap can be remelted. Buy the colors that you know you will use first, black, gp, watermelon, blue, that sot of thing. Glitter is the one component that continues to frustrate me. I have been at this for 6-7 years and poly flake is difficult to use for beginners. It will curl and bleed at higher temps. I have used metallic glitter for about 4 years and the number of vendors for that now is down to one. In general, black flake is easy to work with. blue and green get a little touchy and and purple is a nightmare to get a good one that holds up.

As others have said, it is addictive, but there are a lot worse things to get hook on than making your own soft plastics. The first time that you or your son catch one on your baits, it is a great feeling and will cement the addiction.

Tim

[wyeliab]

Thanks Tim! I look at it as a way to benefit us for our own fishing needs. I just am looking for direction as to where to get my first molds, kits, etc. I have been given great leads for vendors and I also have seen many aluminum molds for sale on EBAY at reasonable pricing second hand. I agree with you that the injecting is where I am headed because those are the baits that we use. Again thanks for all the support and insite!

I would recommend 2 piece aluminum molds and an injector right from the start as that is where you will head in a couple of months anyways. Buy plastic in as big a quantiity as you can and realize that a gallon won't go very far. Scrap can be remelted. Buy the colors that you know you will use first, black, gp, watermelon, blue, that sot of thing. Glitter is the one component that continues to frustrate me. I have been at this for 6-7 years and poly flake is difficult to use for beginners. It will curl and bleed at higher temps. I have used metallic glitter for about 4 years and the number of vendors for that now is down to one. In general, black flake is easy to work with. blue and green get a little touchy and and purple is a nightmare to get a good one that holds up.

As others have said, it is addictive, but there are a lot worse things to get hook on than making your own soft plastics. The first time that you or your son catch one on your baits, it is a great feeling and will cement the addiction.

Tim