Mold Issues

[Donnie]

Have a look at these pictures, I was paid for a hilts 3/4 arky flipping mold, the website says it is to be used with a 730 hook which is typical.

Now the fun starts, I received the mold and the first thing I noticed at the bottom of the mold engraved it says arky 34, 630.. 630?! Maybe it's nothing... Upon further investigation I realize 630 is usually a 90% style hook.

All that aside I decided to pour with a 60 degree hook and this is how it came out, to me it seems like it's not a true 60 degree flipping hook it looks more like a 90 due to the shape of the head. What do you think?

[mark poulson]

It looks like the 60 degree hook just puts the line tie a little farther forward.  I think that should make it more weedless.

[Donnie]

I thought it would be less weedless due to the line tie being more horizontal it would pose more of catching point for weeds, that was just my guess though

[Jig Man]

It sure looks like 60° to me also Mark.

[smalljaw]

You have the right hook, take a look at the weed guard hole, a 90 degree would come too close.

[Donnie]

thanks gents, I took another photo close up of the part that concerned be

[Donnie]

Here's a couple of the mold

[cadman]

Donnie,
I got your Pm. I'm a little confused here . If the website says it uses a 730 hook, a 730 Eagle Claw hook is a 60 degree hook, similar to a 32786 Mustad hook. By looking at the 1st pictures, the 60 degree hook looks correct for that mold. Like others stated, a 90 degree hook would look odd on that shape of head. Now looking at your mold pics, the first one looks like a 60 deg. hook will work. But looking at the second pic, a 60 does not fit. You said that 630 was marked on the mold. Are you sure that 630 stands for a hook number and not something else? Maybe the marking on the mold are a misprint or an error or maybe that is the 630th mold of that series they made so far (Just guessing here). Also maybe it is a dual hook mold? That would be nice. Does the 60 degree hook fit the mold and can you pour it without any problems? How about a 90 degree hook does that fit better? I have a couple of Do-It molds that are marked incorrectly on the inside as far as sizes go. So anything is possible. The 60 degree hook looks better, and if it works I would use that one.

Edited January 23, 2014 by cadman

[Donnie]

Thanks Cadman, much appreciated. Maybe I was over concerned with the 630 imprint, like you said it could have been a mistake. Just wanted to be on the safe side and have a few opinions before I made any jigs for some friends.

[Donnie]

It could be a dual hook mold since the eye cavity is large enough to accommodate different positioning, it doesn't have the point that keeps the eyelid centred so that could be it. Yea I poured the 60 degree hook and it works fine, I don't have any 90s to test that yet

[cadman]

You know if you have a mold that is made for a 60 degree hook and it is a heavier hook, the sweep where the shank of the hook eye is, is fairly wide. I know for a fact that you can easily put in a 90 degree hook in there, as I've done that as well. It might have to be an Aberdeen hook but many times it will fit. However, since you poured it with a 60 degree and it pours fine with no flash, stick with that. I feel a 60 degree hook on a jig is more universal than a 90 degree. You can cast it out  and hop it, swim it and so on. Doesn't work that well with a 90 degree jig.  Good luck.

Edited January 23, 2014 by cadman

[smalljaw]

Based on the pics it looks as if it was made or modified to use both a 60 degree and a 90 degree hook. The one thing you should not be afraid of is trying a 90 because it is evident that it is to be used with a heavy duty 90 but if both work you are in luck.