Midsouthbassaddict Posted January 16, 2013 Report Share Posted January 16, 2013 I saw a couple of videos today here on TU by a member, "Frank", of himself dipping Swimbaits. Great video by the way. I think that dipping would be a great way to produce some nice Swimbaits because of the sheer cost of some of the injection and even hand pour molds. I get the general design of the dipping apparatus (blade shaped like a fish and a Colorado blade tail), but when you are done with the dipping/painting process, how would you remove the blade from the belly without seriously damaging the bait? I understand the concept of a hollow belly with a split belly very well. I just don't see how it would work if the blade and Colorado blade are connected. Or even if they aren't. Thoughts? Also, what would be the best material for the blade of the dipping apparatus and what is the best plastic to make Swimbaits? Thanks. In case you wanted to see the video... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolinamike Posted January 16, 2013 Report Share Posted January 16, 2013 If you'll notice Frank oils the blade before he starts. He is only dipping the blade into where it coats the front of the colorado blade and not the back, so it should slide right off, also if the dipping blade has a smooth polish this will help with an easy release also. Frank is a TU member so you can PM him and ask him, I bet he will be glad to help you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midsouthbassaddict Posted January 16, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2013 I do see all of that, but the tail of the blade is skinnier than the body of the blade. So my intuition tells me that the body of the blade will split the Swimbait the whole way down through the tail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSC Posted January 16, 2013 Report Share Posted January 16, 2013 The Plastic will "Stretch" and slide off ... As Mike said .. smooth finish and oiled (Pam works good as well) .. As you get into plastic you will find a lot of the characteristics (spellin) ... Practice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midsouthbassaddict Posted January 16, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2013 I mean I know plastic stretches well but that has got to be at least a 3x increase in width from tail to body. Do you think it would stretch that much and not tear some of the tail? By the way, I am sure both you and Carolina have much more experience with plastic than I, and I am not challenging that. I just like to double check and confirm before learning things the hard way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 It does slide off. If I redid the video I would have another one that is cool enough to slide off. I get a lot of questions about that. I bet it is more like four times the width. But when it cools it does come off. Smooth edges and slow curves are the key. Look at a hollow belly next time at your tackle shop and you will see a hole in the top of the tail. Give it a try. Frank 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Painter1 Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 How do you seal the hole where the blade exits at the tail? Glue? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midsouthbassaddict Posted January 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 If I had to guess he probably leaves it open. Thanks for the replies, I'll have to give it a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Posted January 18, 2013 Report Share Posted January 18, 2013 I do leave it open no water get in as long as there is no other open hole in it too. Frank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassinjunkie88 Posted January 27, 2013 Report Share Posted January 27, 2013 Awesome video Frank. Your dipping apparatus, is that something that's homemade, or did you buy it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Posted January 27, 2013 Report Share Posted January 27, 2013 If you are talking about the griddle in the back round it is just that a griddle with high sides. This keeps things warm. Thanks for the kind words. Frank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassinjunkie88 Posted March 7, 2013 Report Share Posted March 7, 2013 Frank, I wanted to re-view your video, but I do not see it. Did you take it down, or was it not replaced when the site changed servers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nova Posted March 7, 2013 Report Share Posted March 7, 2013 I have dipping irons if anyone is interested. PM me or check the classifieds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Posted March 7, 2013 Report Share Posted March 7, 2013 Frank, I wanted to re-view your video, but I do not see it. Did you take it down, or was it not replaced when the site changed servers? If you go to YouTube and look up franksrooty2 it will be there. All of the ones I made are there. Frank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powerworm Posted March 30, 2013 Report Share Posted March 30, 2013 i never had to oil my dipping blades because i would take green scotch brite and polish the whole blade until smooth and even after the baits had cooled they would slide right off the blades but it was definitely a tad easier when they were warm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
