Leftycrusher9 Posted March 15, 2015 Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 (edited) Hello everybody. Brand new to the forum and to this hobby. Man am I hooked (pardon the bad pun). I have a few questions for hillbilly1 about the 2 part hollow molds. Hillbilly, I watched your video which was great. My question is when you made the positive side of the mold, did you initially have any problems with the lure half wanting to float up out of the first side you poured? If so, how did you remedy this? Also since you are pouring the epoxy in the mold then sandwiching the sides together, did you have any trouble with air bubbles or did you have any "strategically" placed vents placed in the silicone mold? Sorry if this question has been asked a million times but I want to make sure this is done right the first time as this RTV isn't cheap to screw up fifty times. I've already got two unsuccessful tries at a solid core bait using a one and a two piece mold under my belt now. Also, which allumilite resin are you using? I have feather lite on order but have allumilite super white resin on hand. Making this lure solid (which is supposed to be a top water prop bait) with super white resin just sunk with hardware attached. Tried making less buoyant by adding microballoons but just couldn't get it right. Edited March 15, 2015 by Leftycrusher9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
llokkii Posted March 15, 2015 Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 It is my understanding that adding microballoons makes the lure more buoyant because in essence, they are small hollow glass spheres. Can't comment on the rest because I haven't seen that particular video though it sounds like something I should be watching. Or if I have seen it, I can't remember it. Curse of getting older I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leftycrusher9 Posted March 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 llokkii, I just didn't have the luck/results I wanted with the microballoons. Was wasting too much expensive resin with trial and error. Tried going as high as 50% MB by volume and half the time it made the mix like biscuit dough making it unpourable. Just don't have the patience I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leftycrusher9 Posted March 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 Not sure if Hillbilly is still active on this forum as I don't see any posts since like 2011 so if ANYONE has insight to this topic, feel free to chime in. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaBehr Posted March 15, 2015 Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 Microspheres...aka Microballons are a SIGNIFICANT inhalation hazard!!! If you choose to use them make sure you are using a good respirator and that you clear the air of your work area before you take your mask off or let anyone near it. I would NOT use them in a household under any circumstances (unless you have a very good ventilation hood...and even then.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
llokkii Posted March 15, 2015 Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 Sounds like you added too much/many MB. I had always read that a person wasn't supposed to use more than 25% of the total volume. I have a container of MB but haven't used them. Been waiting for the weather to get a bit better so I can pour my resins etc outside. They are a significant inhalation hazard. Dangerous little critters. Anyway, I completely understand about not wanting to waste any more resin. If at some point in the future you try again, I wouldn't go more than 25% of the volume. As you've seen it makes your resin too thick to pour and as an additional side effect, it makes your resin weaker.I've heard of a water trick that helps add a small bit of buoyancy. It only calls for a drop or two of water added to the resin. And by drop, I am suggesting a small drop of water. probably something along the lines of the smallest amount you can squeeze out of an eye dropper. Add the water, stir until all the way mixed and then pour. It should add a degree of buoyancy to your bait. Maybe someone else here could explain it a bit better than I. I think there is a little info on this at the Alumilite website. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jigginpig Posted March 15, 2015 Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 As noted, microballoons can cause lung problems, and very serious ones. That said, they are very useful, if handled properly. Mix them into the "A" and "B" components separately, then mix the resin. You will have no more issues with the mix. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leftycrusher9 Posted March 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 Yeah, I used them per the precautions. The technician at allumilite suggested the 50% by volume. Feel like the feather lite may be a better option for me anyway. Hope this new method will pan out better. Not gonna pour a production mold until I get this right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
llokkii Posted March 16, 2015 Report Share Posted March 16, 2015 50% by volume? Wow. Learn something new everyday. Good luck man! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leftycrusher9 Posted March 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2015 You can't make this stuff up. Says right on the container it can be mixed up to 100% by volume. To each his own I guess. Even at 30% the plastic seemed to soft after cure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLT785 Posted March 16, 2015 Report Share Posted March 16, 2015 Checkout page 4 of topic " hard bait cookbook ". There is a post that talks about micro balloons, I think he uses 4.5% of total weight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leftycrusher9 Posted March 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2015 (edited) I'll be making the hollow cavity mold this week. Anxious to see how it turns out. Gonna give Smooth On Mold Star 15 a shot Edited March 16, 2015 by Leftycrusher9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
llokkii Posted March 16, 2015 Report Share Posted March 16, 2015 Thanks SLT785, I'll be checking it out. I can't remember where I came across the info I had, but I seem to remember them saying that the more MB you added, the resin would get incrementally weaker. Anyway, it'll be a while before I use my MB. Have a ton of other projects I need to get done.leftycrusher, now that you brought it up, I do remember seeing that in the instructions I got with my resin. Senility is creeping up on me hahhaha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leftycrusher9 Posted March 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2015 Thanks for that info SLT785. Finding that this forum is an invaluable resource for this newbie here. llokii, it can't creep up on me, I'm already neck deep in it! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted March 16, 2015 Report Share Posted March 16, 2015 I can't give you any numbers as I was working by weight and not volume. I do know that I was adding way more than 100% by volume. Yes, the sludge becomes impossible to pour, but I solved that problem by injecting with a cake icing syringe. Yes, adding that much MB to your lure is going to weaken the resin but it wasn't that big of an issue. I accidentally dropped one onto a tiled floor and it snapped. I then dropped a few from the fourth floor of my apartment onto concrete and they all survived. The one that snapped was at the lip slot and there was no lip fitted. When you fish a lure, the nose is never going to hit the rocks first, plus the lip is glued and you have a top coat for additional integrity - I do not see this as a problem. Dave 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
llokkii Posted March 16, 2015 Report Share Posted March 16, 2015 And this is why I love hanging out here. I always learn something new! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leftycrusher9 Posted April 4, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 4, 2015 (edited) Okay, mold is done. Turned out pretty good I thought. Still gotta figure out how to eliminate some tiny air bubbles though. I don't guess I should hold such high expectations. Lotta firsts here. First mold, first completed plastic lure, first time using an airbrush! Edited April 4, 2015 by Leftycrusher9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted April 4, 2015 Report Share Posted April 4, 2015 Good job on the mold. The generous proportions was a smart move, helping to keep the shape. Interesting lure, with the side cuts. Do you have a video of the swim? Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaw Posted April 4, 2015 Report Share Posted April 4, 2015 Are you pouring both sides separately then gluing them together and what plastic are you using? Just curious I've been messing around with it myself some this past winter but haven come up with anything I like so far Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leftycrusher9 Posted April 4, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 4, 2015 Vodkaman, don't have one 100% complete yet but will post a vid when I do. Jaw, I do pour the two sides separate and glue them together. I put 3 BBs in the cavity which makes for a loud rattle. So far I have used both Alumilite super white resin and have poured one with Smooth-on feather lite urethane. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ichthus Posted April 5, 2015 Report Share Posted April 5, 2015 That's gorgeous! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cwietecki Posted April 27, 2015 Report Share Posted April 27, 2015 (edited) Can you post a link to the video from hillbilly by chance? That's a great looking first lure! Edited April 27, 2015 by Cwietecki Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jigginpig Posted April 30, 2015 Report Share Posted April 30, 2015 Really cool how you designed the mold to incorporate a cavity in the finished lure. I have been thinking about doing that myself, it would enable the use of weight transfer systems in jerkbaits, for example. Great work, you look to be a natural. SS 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leftycrusher9 Posted April 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 30, 2015 Thanks SS. Cwietecki, link to video is here: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cwietecki Posted April 30, 2015 Report Share Posted April 30, 2015 Thanks! That finished lure is looking great! I like the spin set up too. Keep up the good work, puts my first hard lures to shame Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
