sdsaw Posted May 17, 2015 Report Share Posted May 17, 2015 (edited) I recently did this reversible mold modification and thought that it may be of use to others. I used high temp. silicone to create a dam so the lead would not fill the collar area of a Do-it Poison tail mold. I also filed in a groove on either side of the hook shank to allow a straight piece of stainless wire to lay when the mold is closed Later, after the head is molded, the wire will be bent to create a hook keeper On this mold, the first step was to create the channels next to the hook shank for the wire to lay when the mold is closed. I used a round, fine tooth file. The diameter of the portion of the file was approx. 3/16" (tapered file) Carefully remove the corners but do not deepen the shank channel (see pic below) I actually needed the aid of an magnifying glass to see what I was doing. You get a good view of the wire channel next to the hook shank in this pic I then poured some dummy heads, minus the hooks. I cut and filed the collar off, but left the sprue on to act as a handle to remove the head. I degreased the mold collar area with solvent to assure good adhesion of the silicone I then used petroleum jelly on the dummy head to prevent the silicone from sticking to it and set them in the mold I overfilled the collar area on half the mold and let it dry overnight Edited May 17, 2015 by sdsaw 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdsaw Posted May 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2015 (edited) The next day, I carefully removed the dummy heads, used them on the other half and filled the other side of the mold and allowed that side to completely dry. Making sure that the silicone has reached full hardness, you will need a sharp razor blade (new is good) to trim the silicone flush. That's about it! You're ready to start using your mold Edited May 17, 2015 by sdsaw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goodtimesfishing Posted May 17, 2015 Report Share Posted May 17, 2015 That is what I do with my round head with eye sockets mold. Works great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apdriver Posted May 17, 2015 Report Share Posted May 17, 2015 Nice mod. Thanks for sharing it. The wire keeper's great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Painter1 Posted May 18, 2015 Report Share Posted May 18, 2015 great job, Scott. Works like a champ. BTW, what is that High Temp Slicone product? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Hahn Posted May 18, 2015 Report Share Posted May 18, 2015 great job, Scott. Works like a champ. BTW, what is that High Temp Slicone product? Looks like the same red, High Temp RTV Silicone that I use around the seals on my trailer hubs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdsaw Posted May 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 18, 2015 great job, Scott. Works like a champ. BTW, what is that High Temp Silicone product? Thanks Mike. Glad to hear that it is working good for you! This mod could work out for making those "ned rig" heads to mold them without the collars and maybe a wire keeper. The product that I used is "Permatex High-Temp Red RTV Silicone Gasket" Widely availible at most auto parts stores Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdsaw Posted May 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 18, 2015 Nice mod. Thanks for sharing it. The wire keeper's great. Thank you Apdriver I do appreciate the info and willingness to help one another here I've learned a lot from visiting and reading all the questions and answers given. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatman Posted May 19, 2015 Report Share Posted May 19, 2015 Great how to!! Thanks for the info on the silicone - might have to give that a try Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nedyarb Posted May 20, 2015 Report Share Posted May 20, 2015 Nice info....I use the blue and white putty to modify my molds. It sets up in 10 minutes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdsaw Posted May 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 24, 2015 Nice info....I use the blue and white putty to modify my molds. It sets up in 10 minutes. If you don't mind me asking, what is this blue and white putty you speak of? Does it stand up to the high temperatures of molten lead? Dries rock hard? I'm envisioning an epoxy stick that you slice a piece off and knead it to mix the two layers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nedyarb Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 Yes...its loctite blue puddy stick. So far it has held up fine for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robalo01 Posted May 27, 2015 Report Share Posted May 27, 2015 I have used both. The silicone sticks to the mold better and lasts longer. The putty eventually falls out. Both work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...