Kasilofchrisn Posted June 23, 2013 Report Share Posted June 23, 2013 So last winter I found a mold on EBAY from Shawn Collins EBAY sales that I really wanted. I figured since it was an EBAY sale he probably had the mold already cut and ready to ship. I also figured EBAY has extra buyer protections. Well it was a great transaction and an even better mold. I have never seen such a well made mold it is first class for sure. A few months later I ordered the same mold in different sizes again off EBAY and again I was very happy all the way around. So just recently I found a couple more molds of his on EBAY I wanted and again I was very happy. I sent him an EBAY message about a surfcast sinker mold he makes called a frog tongue. He said it was not likely he would list any of those molds on EBAY. He did ask me to contact him via email about the molds though. He emailed back a very long list of size options and prices. He also let me know that the EBAY molds included free shipping and he would gladly add a frog Tongue mold in the box with the others for free. I ended up ordering 2 frog tongue molds a 4,5,6,7oz and a 8,10,12oz Well 10 days later I had the EBAY molds and 3 weeks later I had the frog tongues. Man those sinker molds are a work of art! No they were not cheap but there is no other source of these molds anywhere. I know his reputation is not the best but he sure treated me well and he was quick to answer emails. I feel 3 weeks to cut and ship a pair of custom CNC machined molds is very reasonable. His prices seem high until you realize what kind of quality molds you are getting. Granted he did not do any custom cad work for my molds. I would definitely recommend checking out his EBAY sales and emailing him about any of his molds you might be interested in. He does make amazing molds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gone2long Posted June 23, 2013 Report Share Posted June 23, 2013 He's good as far as the reputation I don't buy most of the stories I've read, people think when they order a mold that is custom that they should be the only person being serviced at that time I think if you read enough you will find that all the mold makers have their detractors most of them won't go on a tirade and lie to their customers only one that I'm aware of basically tells his customers to flip off you'll get them when I'm done with them usually months later that's well documented but Shawn's stuff is top notch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patrick reif Posted June 23, 2013 Report Share Posted June 23, 2013 I own one of his molds, and it's truly artisan grade work. My spinnerbait mold has a small, but strong magnet that holds the hook in place. It's that type of attention to detail that we pay for...and it's worth it IMO. I'd love to learn to carve my own, but I can't even figure out my wife's smart phone. It's unlikely I'll ever learn the idiosyncrasies of metal work and the computer programming there of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smalljaw Posted June 23, 2013 Report Share Posted June 23, 2013 He's good as far as the reputation I don't buy most of the stories I've read, people think when they order a mold that is custom that they should be the only person being serviced at that time I think if you read enough you will find that all the mold makers have their detractors most of them won't go on a tirade and lie to their customers only one that I'm aware of basically tells his customers to flip off you'll get them when I'm done with them usually months later that's well documented but Shawn's stuff is top notch. I'll agree he does fantatic work but he did have a lot of problems which is why he sells premade molds on ebay. A few guys here that I would trust with out doubting waited not a few months but YEARS! Yes, that is true, and it was 6 months before an email asking about a problem was even sent and worse yet was there wasn't any response and not just 1 guy, this has happened to quite a few. Now, the work he does is to the point guys will wait 6 months with no problem but 2 years with no contact is beyond reasonable and as I said, wait 2 years for custom anything and you start getting anxious, especially when the money was paid. If he was reasonable he would have a lot of work that he would not have time for ebay but he went there as he had to because of things that happened. Before you say about the back surgery, well I really feel for him as I know what that is but at least tell someone, yep I believe him to be one of if not the best mold maker I know of but past business practice will haunt for awhile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy1976 Posted June 24, 2013 Report Share Posted June 24, 2013 I had him custom make a jig head mold and a diamond jig mold. He had the design but changed the size and cavities for me. Told him I was willing to pay 400 and he still only charged me his average price for a mold on both. Felt like a kid opening Christmas presents each time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasilofchrisn Posted June 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 24, 2013 My point in starting this thread was to let members here know he treated me GREAT in recent transactions. Take it for what you will I have bought from him and will continue to do so. If you see his EBAY sales don't hesitate to order from him. No his stuff isn't cheap but it is first quality and not available elsewhere. I do have another mold maker for my complete custom stuff who also treats me very good. Which reminds me I have another idea for a new custom mold to talk to him about. Anyway if you were considering his EBAY listed molds do not hesitate he will treat you right and you will own a first class mold not available elsewhere. If you don't like him or his reputation then by all means leave the molds for the rest of us to buy. I am certainly glad I ordered from him and will continue to do so if/when I find some more of his stuff I can't live without. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gonfishn Posted June 30, 2013 Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 (edited) Anyone have his phone number in Smithfield Virginia? I've tried emailing Shawn last week at both addresses I have (one's from the internet on his site, the other at CNC-Molds at Ebay) There's a Shawn P. in the local phone book but I'm not sure that's him or not? Gotta try to get ahold of him as I have several molds I need made which will require digitizing, etc., with one of the molds needed ASAP. Failing that, if anyone on here knows of a good mold maker with access to digitizing, etc., please let me know as we're kinda getting under the gun here. Edited June 30, 2013 by gonfishn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLT Posted July 1, 2013 Report Share Posted July 1, 2013 Glad you posted your good experience with him. After all the bad stuff I read over the years regards to his customer service, sounds like he is on track now. I'll have to take a peak at his store. I would like a squid head mold for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy1976 Posted July 3, 2013 Report Share Posted July 3, 2013 I just finished pouring the 8,10,&12 oz squid head mold. It's a bit of a hard mold to pour, but every mold takes me some practice. His molds are a work of art. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasilofchrisn Posted July 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2013 I just finished pouring the 8,10,&12 oz squid head mold. It's a bit of a hard mold to pour, but every mold takes me some practice. His molds are a work of art. If you don't mind could you PM me some pics of the jigs? I just finished some from the smaller squid head mold of his that goes up to 6 oz and was thinking the bigger mold would be another nice one add to my arsenal. His molds are first class thats for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy1976 Posted July 3, 2013 Report Share Posted July 3, 2013 Here you go. The green and yellow chartreuse are 6 oz coated with Columbia paint Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLT Posted July 4, 2013 Report Share Posted July 4, 2013 (edited) I wish the eye was to the front more on the squid. 6 oz. would be all the bigger I would want. I do 8 oz. fluke ball jigs, but they only want 6 and below in my area. Edited July 4, 2013 by BLT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasilofchrisn Posted July 4, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2013 Thanks Andy those look just like the ones I just made only bigger. I have the Shawn collins squid that goes from 1 oz -6oz . It is a great mold. I think the eye placement is just right especially when you consider what a real squid looks like. When I get more time I'll post a pic or two of the ones I just finished. In my area I make jigs to 32oz. We use sinker here up to 5#+ so big jigs are very common. Common until you try to buy molds for them anyway. Thats why I am buying more CNC molds all the time and Shawn Collins certainly makes some good ones. The only issue with CNC molds is the price but as they always say you get what you pay for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy1976 Posted July 5, 2013 Report Share Posted July 5, 2013 For me they are super cheap molds. The squid head mold paid for itself on the first order. All of them pay for themselves. I do want a squid head that I can soft plastics on next. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasilofchrisn Posted July 5, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 5, 2013 Yes you are right they do pay for themselves if you are selling jigs. The stuff from my CNC molds gets the most attention from people. For the hobbyist though it is a bit expensive if they only need a dozen or so jigs of that type a year. Here is how I finished up some of my squid heads from my Shawn collins mold. These are 6oz and I wired the skirts on using a wire twist tool I have that is similiar to a spin bander. The colors ae protec super glow white and super glow orange with a UV blast clearcoat over that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apdriver Posted July 6, 2013 Report Share Posted July 6, 2013 Hey Chris, I tried finding some of his (Shawn C.) molds on eBay and couldn't. Does he put them on eBay all the time or just periodically? Maybe I was putting in the wrong words while doing a search. Any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasilofchrisn Posted July 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 6, 2013 Here you go he sells on EBAY under the name CNC works. He has quite a few listed right now. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Saltwater-Squid-Jig-mold-3-4-5-6oz-CNC-Aluminum-/121138803928?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c346f74d8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apdriver Posted July 6, 2013 Report Share Posted July 6, 2013 Thanks Chris. Looking forward to my yearly trip up your way. Be there July 12, doing the Kenai twitch for a couple weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy1976 Posted July 6, 2013 Report Share Posted July 6, 2013 Hey Chris, I tried finding some of his (Shawn C.) molds on eBay and couldn't. Does he put them on eBay all the time or just periodically? Maybe I was putting in the wrong words while doing a search. Any suggestions? Just a couple of days ago he was out completely on his ebay site. Got a bunch more back up now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy1976 Posted July 6, 2013 Report Share Posted July 6, 2013 Yes you are right they do pay for themselves if you are selling jigs. The stuff from my CNC molds gets the most attention from people. For the hobbyist though it is a bit expensive if they only need a dozen or so jigs of that type a year. Here is how I finished up some of my squid heads from my Shawn collins mold. These are 6oz and I wired the skirts on using a wire twist tool I have that is similiar to a spin bander. The colors ae protec super glow white and super glow orange with a UV blast clearcoat over that. Those look great. You can save a ton of paint by base coating with harbor freight white. I've been doing two hoochies on mine. Ill try and post pics when I get a bunch done. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasilofchrisn Posted July 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 6, 2013 (edited) Thanks Chris. Looking forward to my yearly trip up your way. Be there July 12, doing the Kenai twitch for a couple weeks. I hope you aren't one of those twitchers. That will get you a $110 fine (intent to snag) everytime your caught. I know you are probably just using it as a figure of speach though. Enjoy your vacation I won't be home till the 18th. Darn work has me on the north slope until then. Edited July 6, 2013 by Kasilofchrisn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasilofchrisn Posted July 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 6, 2013 Those look great. You can save a ton of paint by base coating with harbor freight white. I've been doing two hoochies on mine. Ill try and post pics when I get a bunch done. Thanks Thanks I am going to start with the Harbor freight base coat. I just need another fluid bed first. 3 of them just isn't enough. I also just ordered the 8,10,12 oz squid head mold from Shawn. I can't wait to try it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy1976 Posted July 6, 2013 Report Share Posted July 6, 2013 Nice let me know if you need help getting it. I could ship it flat rate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasilofchrisn Posted July 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 6, 2013 (edited) Oh, good grief. Twitching? Really? That's like another state (Michigan I think) saying a conventional dropshot rig is a snagging rig and not allowed. It isn't a twitch so to speak but a jerk at the end of the swing. So here is the deal. Sockeye(red)Salmon do not eat in fresh water and in saltwater they eat mostly krill. So fishing for them is done in the rivers with a fly on one end of your line and split shot or similiar weights 4'-6' up your line. You flip your line upstream at ~ 45* angle and follow with your rod until you are ~45* downstrteam. Your line should be just ticking the river bottom on occasion.. If your line stops or you feel a fish set the hook and it'e likely fish on. If not flip your line back upstream. Many people tend to jerk the line at the end of the swing which often times causes you to snag a fish elsewhere than in the mouth. Hence they are snagging fish which is illegal in Alaska's freshwater. They call it the Kenai twitch but it really is a jerk with the intent to snag a fish. Now snagged fish must be released and you cannot intentionally snag but you will not get a ticket for a fish unintentionally snagged and properly released. Edited July 6, 2013 by Kasilofchrisn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasilofchrisn Posted July 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 6, 2013 Nice let me know if you need help getting it. I could ship it flat rate. I ordered it off of EBAY so shipping is free. Thanks for the offer. I know I am going to like that mold. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
