normans Posted January 12, 2012 Report Share Posted January 12, 2012 I am just getting started pouring jigs most will be football and brush type. I have noticed that the moulds are rough on the inside so the jig comes out rough as well. Should i clean up the molds with sand paper or is it better to clean up the jig and leave the mold alone. It would be more efficient to clean up the mold but i don't want to damage the mold not sure what it can take as far as sanding goes. Thank you for your help you have all been very helpful. Norman Sanders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FuzzyGrub Posted January 12, 2012 Report Share Posted January 12, 2012 Not sure of your definition of "rough", but the only clean-up I do is where the sprue was attached. Powder paint produces a nice smooth surface. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLT Posted January 12, 2012 Report Share Posted January 12, 2012 Never smoothed out a mold. Never got a do-it mold that looked like it needed it either. Hilts were no problem either. Like mentioned above, the powder paint will smooth it out. Don't think the fish will really care if it perfectly smooth either. Pour 'em and go test them out, think you will be happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
normans Posted January 12, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2012 I have just poured a few jigs and not painted any yet. The surface of the jig is not smooth should it be glass smooth or is the paint going to make it smooth for me. I am just learning as i go, I know this sound like a dumb question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smalljaw Posted January 12, 2012 Report Share Posted January 12, 2012 I have just poured a few jigs and not painted any yet. The surface of the jig is not smooth should it be glass smooth or is the paint going to make it smooth for me. I am just learning as i go, I know this sound like a dumb question. It isn't going to be as smooth as glass but it shouldn't be extremely rough either but the problem is what is rough to one person may very well be smooth to the next. If your jig is free from any flashing then it is probably a good casting and with the use of a small file you can smooth out the sprue and it should be ready for paint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
normans Posted January 12, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2012 Thank you smalljaw , i plan to paint some tonight so we will see . The jigs are free of flashing and I have cleaned up the sprue area of the jig , this jig thing does not apear to be rocket sicence but its close. It is just that i don't know what to expect having never seen how this is done other than on videos that don't show you everything. Thanks again Norman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smalljaw Posted January 12, 2012 Report Share Posted January 12, 2012 Norman, I understand your worries and I admire you taking the chance and try something you aren't familar with. You are correct, it isn't rocket rocket science but you will encounter some problems and that is why we are here, to learn and help others learn. Temp of the lead and the mold and the area where you are pouring along with the type of lead are all going to affect your pours one way or another, but most of the time if you gat a complete pour with no flashing it should be good for paint, and after a few days and a hundred or so good pours you get a good eye, that is the nice thing about this hobby, there is a learning curve but it is short and within a day of so you'll have it down, but keep in mind that sometimes all of us will encounter a problem and if it happens and you can't figure it out just make a post and someone will help you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
normans Posted January 12, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2012 All of you guys are the best, I don't think that I have ever in my life been around so many people that are willing to share information like you guys do. I am a retired police officer and most police officers don't share anything with anyone. I will help pass on what i learn here just to keep this great thing going. Thanks to all of you. Norman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jig Man Posted January 12, 2012 Report Share Posted January 12, 2012 You may have one of the rare molds like my large poison tail mold. It was terribly rough on the inside. Jig heads had to be pulled out with pliers. So I took the time to smooth it out with my Dremel tool. I have since sprayed it with a release agent. I have owned many molds over the years and never saw anything like it before or since. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadman Posted January 13, 2012 Report Share Posted January 13, 2012 You got a lot of good information from these guys. All of Do-It molds are sand cast. That means for production that is the fastest you can produce a quality mold. When you sand cast you do not get a perfectly smooth finish, only machining will do that. The paint actually sticks better to a rougher surface as it has something to bite into. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
normans Posted January 13, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2012 The do it mold that i am talking about is a large poison tail mold and it is rough on the inside when you compare it to the same size football mold. Jig man said he had one in the past that was rough. It looks to me like it could be cleaned up with a little work . The question is should i fix it or send it back to Do It . You can see and feel the rough areas in the mold with your finger. The mold is fine other wise it pours just fine. Thanks for all your help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadman Posted January 13, 2012 Report Share Posted January 13, 2012 The do it mold that i am talking about is a large poison tail mold and it is rough on the inside when you compare it to the same size football mold. Jig man said he had one in the past that was rough. It looks to me like it could be cleaned up with a little work . The question is should i fix it or send it back to Do It . You can see and feel the rough areas in the mold with your finger. The mold is fine other wise it pours just fine. Thanks for all your help. Norman, If it pours fine and you have no other issues other than a rough surface, keep it and consider yourself lucky. Some identical molds have issues pouring. If you powder paint it like mentioned above, it will cover up all the little crannies and you should get a smooth finish. Don't try to improve something that a little paint will cover up an no-one will ever see. JMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
normans Posted January 13, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2012 Cadman I think you are right I painted a few and think they will be ok. I am happy with how this is all going I am learning a lot and its fun to meet new friends. Just getting started and i know i will get better at this the more i do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadman Posted January 13, 2012 Report Share Posted January 13, 2012 Cadman I think you are right I painted a few and think they will be ok. I am happy with how this is all going I am learning a lot and its fun to meet new friends. Just getting started and i know i will get better at this the more i do. Norman, As long as you are getting a smooth finish on your jigs after you paint and bake them, don't sweat the details. The only one that really cares is you, the fish could care less. However like all of us we want everything to be perfect. I know I do, but sometimes you just need to leave well enough alone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ogajiga Posted January 13, 2012 Report Share Posted January 13, 2012 I've learned not to mess with molds unless absolutely necessary. As mentioned, some Do-its have a cavity surface ruff enuf to stick castings, & careful smoothing helps considerably. Recently I had a 7 cavity round head mold with one cavity that would never fill out. While there wasn't any visible obstruction to melt flow, smoothing out the inlet gate surfaces fixed the problem. Its possible to create a lip at the edges of cavities which obstruct casting removal if you try to sand the surfaces smooth. And, if you sand off the sharp cavity edge, you could also create a part line ridge on castings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smalljaw Posted January 13, 2012 Report Share Posted January 13, 2012 When it comes to a jig mold Norman, if it isn't broke, don't fix it! Well I'm glad this is working out for you and the fun is just beginning, wait until you catch that first fish with something you made, what a great feeling and just when you think it doesn't get any better, you'll have a friend that you gave or sold one of you creations to and they will catch a bunch of fish or a giant fish on something you made, you'll experience pride, happiness, and satisfaction beyond belief and it will make you try to create more and better lures aqnd you will, your skills will get better and better as will your lures and then you will find that you found one of the most rewarding hobbies a man can have. And meeting a few new friends along the way is like icing on the cake, welcome to your new home my friend!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
softworm Posted January 14, 2012 Report Share Posted January 14, 2012 After Do-It was sold I noticed a difference in the molds after the new owners started making them. They are not as smooth as the older models, I've not had any problems with them, and like so many have stated after powder paint you can't tell the difference in the older models and the newer ones. Personally if this is the only problem you're having with the mold, I wouldn't mess with it,,it could get worse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted January 14, 2012 Report Share Posted January 14, 2012 I just bought one of the newer football jig molds from Do-It, and it was rough inside. But it pours fine, and powder coats fine, too. There is a "new" commercial jig on the market that features a rough surface on purpose, claiming it creates more action when the jig is dragged over rock. So, as long as it pours okay, I wouldn't fool with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smalljaw Posted January 14, 2012 Report Share Posted January 14, 2012 I just bought one of the newer football jig molds from Do-It, and it was rough inside. But it pours fine, and powder coats fine, too. There is a "new" commercial jig on the market that features a rough surface on purpose, claiming it creates more action when the jig is dragged over rock. So, as long as it pours okay, I wouldn't fool with it. Mark, you just made me remember something. If you look, there are even powder paints available that create a textured finish when applied. Jig Armor paints has a few, one is called crustacian and the other I believe is reptile, they creat a sort of "orange peel" effect. But I still think your mold is fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAWJigs Posted January 21, 2012 Report Share Posted January 21, 2012 Dude, I was like this exactly when I started last year and got my powder painting down and have a smooth finish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macstackleman Posted January 22, 2012 Report Share Posted January 22, 2012 I have found that taking a candle and "soot" the mold helps with smoothing out the lead and releases jig easy. But agree powder paint and vinyl paint will finish out smooth. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
