SW Lures Posted August 28, 2016 Report Share Posted August 28, 2016 I know another thread is going on about silicone molds, but Ravenlures is asking about a specific question. I searched for molds, pouring, silicone etc. No can find. So here's my questions. What type of silicone compound (brand) would you recommend for baits? I have been reading about it but I'm still unsure of what I'm getting ready to get into, any suggestion would be appreciated. I will be pouring baits from 2-8" & some swimmers. This being said, how many 4" (whatever size) can let's say 5lbs. would do? Thanks ahead of time, Dale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ravenlures Posted August 28, 2016 Report Share Posted August 28, 2016 I would just type in making silicone molds on you tube and there are many too choose from. Making many lures at a time say there or four I think would be hard, I would just make one good one. Pay special attention to the parting line that is where, if not done right, then you will end up with lots of sanding. I made some 7.5 inch lures and I used all of oomoo silicone 30 That's 30.00 a mold. I used alumilite easy cast with microballoons, I was 1 gram off of my wood mold sample. It took three time to get the formula right but it is right on now. Good Luck Wayne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Posted August 28, 2016 Report Share Posted August 28, 2016 (edited) I have always used Smooth on Mold max 30 to make my molds. Can find cheaper also but it has always worked for me and they are respected in their field and you find many individuals using their products from special effects artists on the biggest movies out there to guys like us making lures. The number of molds will be dependent upon how thick you make them, if you use left over silicone to back them, etc... I never worried too much about this savings. Too many guys spend a lot of time trying to save a penny while spending a dollar of their time. I figure the money you aren't spending on the store bought baits easily covers just using good products and not trying to find shortcuts. Edited August 28, 2016 by Travis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW Lures Posted August 28, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2016 Thanks for the replies. I'm going read up on it and give it a try soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW Lures Posted August 28, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2016 I have a few more questions. How long does a mold last? Next one is, I notice that some compounds are a harder silicone and would seem to last longer. Is this true? Dale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Posted August 28, 2016 Report Share Posted August 28, 2016 (edited) Shore hardness is important when it comes to de molding as it will determine how much give your mold has. You can make molds from plaster of paris, durhams rock puddy, bondo... for cranks also just you have to be very careful with undercuts or you will lock your mold in place. I have probably a few dozen molds from these less forgiving molds and get around 75 to 125 baits from them if care taken in master design and removing of cast batis. They end up chipping in time as hard to get the baits out as you end up prying them out. If you are having to spend time cleaning them up and making them use able the benefits of a mold are lost. Notice the simple lines and lack of any detail in the small top water walking bait below. The softer RTV is more forgiving and you can bend and easily remove detailed lures. The more detailed and undercuts the more damage/wear you put on the mold and places like undercut gills or eye sockets will start to show. Designing the bait to avoid this is a good idea but may not be what you are looking for in the design. You can get a lot of baits out of a these molds. Several hundred should be doable. I think I around 500 is the most have in one but some minimal issues I have to clean up. I really don't worry too much about the molds lasting. Break down the cost of making that mold and chump change after a few dozen baits. Edited August 28, 2016 by Travis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW Lures Posted August 28, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2016 Thank you very much Travis for the info. Yes, in time I'm going to start a company up and this info is very important to what I'm thinking about. I can't remember the names but one type is the standard silicone the other is a harder silicone. Each company has there own names. What you use has to be degas (vacuumed) the other companies claim theirs don't need to be. The others claim it is because of the viscosity. Is one better then the other? Other words why do use Smooth On when it needs the other step? That is where I am going with these baits. I want to start carving detail work in them. Yes I know it will change the buoyancy in each bait and when I start casting the buoyancy will change again. I also agree that price becomes a after thought in time. This is not a issue with me anyways. I'm doing this because I enjoy it. I know I have a question after another but this is the way we learn. Even at my age I keep learning with help. Thank you, Dale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Posted August 28, 2016 Report Share Posted August 28, 2016 (edited) Degassing will give a better quality mold for sure (in regards to no voids in the mold) but this rarely translates into any better bait from that mold in my opinion. I have used a shop vac a few times and used a high end vacuum set up at work and the molds made didn't result in baits that were any better than my typical method of not degassing. Just never has been an issue for me. Any trapped bubbles have always easily risen to the surface and can be popped with a air blown from a straw if needed or just left to break on their own or remain as doesn't effect the mold. The inner mold surface has always been smooth. I am careful to make sure the master gets covered well and some like to brush the RTV onto the master first before topping the mold off to make sure not air gets trapped in the details. I also will knock the mold lightly a few times just in case. Manufactures add instructions for a few reasons one....you have to take into account the people buying it. For some you better cover all the basis with very precise instructions as if not they will screw it up, typically they still screw things up regularly as just the type of person they are. But having instructions covers them from accountability. Edited August 28, 2016 by Travis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW Lures Posted August 28, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2016 I understand Travis and yes this explains why you use it. I'm going and get the things that I need to carve in more detail work, as I do the other baits and fish. Winter is on the way and will give me time to get it going. As you can notice I'm not in a rush and I'm deliberate as I move forward. All my regards and thanks for your info and time. Dale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted August 28, 2016 Report Share Posted August 28, 2016 The last batch of silicone that I bought was too soft and resulted in distortion under clamping. A lesson learned the hard way. If I was casting solid bodies then this would not have been such an issue, but I was casting thin walled hollow bodies. I am now looking for a stiffer silicone locally. The life of the mold is not an issue for me, as the molds are cast from a master. Also both halves of the mold are identical, requiring only one half master. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW Lures Posted August 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2016 Interesting Dave. I'm going to start off slow. Make a desired design and give it a go. While on the way I'll start learning about resins. Seems straight forward. We'll see, Dale 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted August 29, 2016 Report Share Posted August 29, 2016 Dale - there is always a learning curve, but it is not that complex. Enjoy Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
