JLS Posted January 14, 2015 Report Share Posted January 14, 2015 Hello ! Just recently found this forum and got to say that I love all the info that I've discovered so far !! I have been molding an inline spinner bodies for a lot of years but am new to molding spinnerbaits . I purchased a huge lot of used molds a year or so ago and am finally getting serious about trying to pour some up . I've been trying to use a Do-it Ultra Minnow mold and have finally managed to figure out how to get most of the pours to turn out acceptable but am wondering how I can improve on that . I've noticed that most of my problems stem around the wires not fitting the mold properly . The 1/4oz bait requires .035 wire and it has a sloppy fit , the 3/8oz requires .040 wire and is also sloppy , but the 1/2oz using the same .040 wire has a pretty tight fit . now for the ?s Is this because the mold was wore out when I purchased it ? Is there anything that I can do to tighten up the way that the wires fit the mold ? Thanks so much !! Johnny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edgecrusher Posted January 14, 2015 Report Share Posted January 14, 2015 Its always had a reputation as hard to fill at times. Just got to be spot on, hot clean lead, smoked/lubed mold, sometimes tilting a fraction helps too. If that doesn't help, warm up your wires and hooks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlaery Posted January 14, 2015 Report Share Posted January 14, 2015 this is what I did to help hold the wires, the dark round circle is a magnet. this helps hole the wire. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLS Posted January 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 Thanks for the replies , guys . Tilting the mold and leveling it as I pour or tightening the wire to the hook eye extremely tight are the only ways that I can get my 1/4 and 3/8oz baits to turn out . The biggest problem I have with tilting the mold is that there is enough slop that 1/2 my pours end up with the hook eye showing on the side of the bait . Guess I was hopping to here that there would be some kind of heat tolerant filler that could be used . Might have to try some JB Weld and see what happens . Thanks again !! Johnny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaBehr Posted January 15, 2015 Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 I have problems with that mold also. I got it for Xmas and struggled with how to get the wire and hooks to stay in (they fall out the bottom of the mold). I've settled on only pouring one at a time and putting the mold flat on the table so that the hook will stay up into the cavity. Since the wire needs to be perfectly straight down the mold (on the top) to get the bait to pour straight I'm wearing really good gloves and holding the wire straight while I pour sidewards into the sprue. I'm pouring really close to my hand and fingers...thus the need for a really good glove! I'm going to see if I can make some type of wood spacer to help hold the wire straight. I don't think your problem is that the mold is worn...it seems to be the mold...unless I'm missing the obvious and doing something wrong! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLS Posted January 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 Thanks ! It didn't look like it had been used much when I got it but with the 1/2oz slot holding the wire perfectly , it sure made me wonder . At least now I know that buying a new mold will not solve my problems . On the 1/4oz heads , I have used the .040 wires and it works great but I hate using the stiffer wire for them . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jigatollah Posted January 15, 2015 Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 Try switching your lead to maybe a linotype lead. The tin thats within the lead will help your pours become more filled with very few shorts. Its also a lot tougher than pure lead and will be harder to clean up any flash. To solve your wire issues, try using a sharp steel punch and gently tapthe mold on either side of the wire until you find its a tight fit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yo Al Posted January 15, 2015 Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 X2 on the center punch. Best way to tighten a wire or hook slot. I also use masking tape for a temporary downsize. I definitely gotta try the magnets. They seem like a versatile way to hold a variety of different hooks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yo Al Posted January 15, 2015 Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 Dlaery- What kind of magnets are you using in your molds? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smalljaw Posted January 15, 2015 Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 Go to the auto store or hardware store and buy either muffler tape or high temp tape, cut a small piece for each side of the mold and stick it over the wire slot, then when you put your wire in it will hold, if it is still loose add another piece but always add it with a piece on each side to make sure the wire stays centered. I love the ultra minnow spinnerbait but it does take getting to know the mold and it will wear which is what has happened, my guess is the person bough .040 wire forms and used them for 1/4oz and 3/8oz all the time. I use.032 in the 1/4oz and .035 in 3/8 and 1/2oz, and the smallest wire I've used is .029 that was given to me to make some special 3/8oz baits, I don't recommend anything under .032 for any safety pin type spinnerbait unless it is a crappie spin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlaery Posted January 15, 2015 Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 Dlaery- What kind of magnets are you using in your molds? I got em at Ace hardware. Just little disc shape magnets, I just milled a hole and stuck it in. You could probably use a drill press, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Maxwell Posted January 15, 2015 Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 I use Duck Tape on the sides of the mold to help hold the hook in place. equal amounts on both sides. Practice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
