Do-It Claw Sinker Mold?

[Kasilofchrisn]

Just curious for those who have this mold how do you like it? Does the mold cast ok with the wires in it?

Also I know Do-It does not make wire inserts for this mold. How hard was it to find a good wire and how difficult is it to bend them for use?

I have the hilts Storm sinker molds and I need to polish them so they release easier but they work real well.

I also have the Hilts Claw sinker molds they pour fine but I wasn't as happy with them for where I usually fish.

I just ordered a couple of Frog Tongue molds from Shawn Collins.

I am getting into making surfcast sinkers a little more and have had some people interested in trying the Do-It claw sinkers on our local beaches and thought I would order the molds if they pour well and wires aren't that difficult to make.

Surfcasting is starting to take off in my area but they don't stock a good selection of sinkers locally.

Hopefully I can make my own and have a good variety for differing conditions and different bottom types.

Thanks again Chris,

[cadman]

^Chris,

    ^{It looks like there are no pre-made wireforms for the mold. So you will have to make your own. On Do-Its webiste, it says that they give you instructions on how to make them. Also they suggest using 16 or 14 ga wire. That's some thick stuff. I would use stainless steel instead of what they recommend which is galvanized wire. It will be a little hard to bend but it can be done in a vice. One other thing and that is I'm curious on how that mold pours. With the wires sticking out as heat sinks, I'm wondering if you are going to get complete pours.}

[Kasilofchrisn]

Thanks Cadman thats what I was wondering is how hard it is to get complete pours with the wires sticking out like that.

With the tides we have up here in Cook Inlet I would think it might hold well.

I guess I need to price some wire. I know I can buy stainless tig wire locally but the price runs close to $.50 for a 36" stick. 

That might only do a couple of weights if that.  I suppose there is a bulk discount but it has to be cheaper online somewhere for a similiar stainless wire.

I'll google it and see what I can find. for sizes and prices.

Hopefully sombody who has this mold will post on it.

Edited June 9, 2013 by Kasilofchrisn

[Basseducer]

Chris,

I've seen some guys that use the wire for wiring houses. It is soft enough to form by habd, but still holds well. It is also soft enough to get it back from most snags.

[Kasilofchrisn]

Chris,

I've seen some guys that use the wire for wiring houses. It is soft enough to form by habd, but still holds well. It is also soft enough to get it back from most snags.

I'll look into that. with the price of copper today who knows what it will cost though.

Scrap copper is really getting hard to find.

I'll keep my eye out for some though and see what it would take to make it work for me in this application if I decide to buy the molds. Thanks.

[andy1976]

How about metal coat hangers. I've got an unlimited supply so I use them for hook hangers. Probably rust but I'm sure you will loose them sooner or later. I also take the wire out of bicycle rims. Those are great for jigs.

[Kasilofchrisn]

How about metal coat hangers. I've got an unlimited supply so I use them for hook hangers. Probably rust but I'm sure you will loose them sooner or later. I also take the wire out of bicycle rims. Those are great for jigs.

Unfortunately I don't have an unlimited supply of coat hangers. That is a good idea though and I could probably find a bunch at The Salvation Army or another thrift store.

I'm out of town for work but when I get home I will certainly check things out around town.

Thrift stores for coat hangers,the scrap yard for old wire and the local hardware stores just to see what they have.

I think I need to have the wire figured out before I buy the molds.

[andy1976]

Let me know if you want I can send you a few hundred pieces in a flat rate box. I cut them with a finder at my work.

[Kasilofchrisn]

Thanks Andy. Still debating on buying the molds or not.

Especially since I just bought 4 Shawn Collins molds.

I think I may have found some 16ga stainless wire locally that may work.

[m.t.pockets]

I pour these up to 8 oz with out any problems. I very rarely have incomplete pours. These mold will accept the # 2 or #3 brass eyes with out any problems. I use the ss wire in 14,16, or 18 gage depending what weight weight I am pouring. The nice thing about using the brass eyes is that you can use 4 to 6 inch pieces of wire and not have to worry about bending it

[Kasilofchrisn]

I pour these up to 8 oz with out any problems. I very rarely have incomplete pours. These mold will accept the # 2 or #3 brass eyes with out any problems. I use the ss wire in 14,16, or 18 gage depending what weight weight I am pouring. The nice thing about using the brass eyes is that you can use 4 to 6 inch pieces of wire and not have to worry about bending it

Thanks for the reply. I do like the idea of using eyelets and shorter pieces of wire.

I generally use SS eyes in all my molds instead of the brass.

I am still on the fence with buying these molds but your report leans me towards giving them a shot.

So a 6" piece of wire is long enough to work well? That sounds good.

[m.t.pockets]

On the larger size weights I use the s/s #3L eyes (longer shaft into weight) The easiest way of pouring them is to insert the eye,close the mold and then put the wire in thru the opening in the bottom. No hassle with trying to get all 4 wires to lay correctly and trying to close the mold

[Kasilofchrisn]

On the larger size weights I use the s/s #3L eyes (longer shaft into weight) The easiest way of pouring them is to insert the eye,close the mold and then put the wire in thru the opening in the bottom. No hassle with trying to get all 4 wires to lay correctly and trying to close the mold

Thanks if I buy the molds that's what I'll do. I have a few hundred of the stainless #3L eye as I use them in several of my saltwater jigs.

I really appreciate the response from somebody who has made these sinkers before.

Thanks!

[808heavymetal]

Here in Hawaii, we use these sinkers for slide baiting fishing, going after the Giant Trevally. Most of the fishermen uses the 10 oz size and I drill out the holes to accept 12 gauge galvanized steel. Some likes the heavier gauge because of the strong currents, 50-80 lbs test lines and heavy baits weighing up to 5 lbs or more. The sinker needs to be anchored. I buy 100' rolls from Home Depot and cutting it to 25' lengths and then spinning them with a drill to stiffen it more.