Twinjector Help

[ScottyMac]

I'm having issues getting good laminates.  I use the basstackle twinjector and all of my molds are multi cavity. Half looks perfect and the other half has a swirl to it.  Every now and then I'll get one bait out of the mold to be perfect, usually closest to the port and they'll get progressively worse as you move down the sprue.  Any ideas are much appreciated.  Here is sample of one of my better ones, LOL.

[FATFLATTIE]

Make sure both plastics are the same temperature, or at least within 10 degrees. One of the things that helped me get better laminates was to put the injectors into the blending block and push until both colors are coming out of the block. Then insert into the molds and begin injecting. I tend to get good laminates every time just doing those couple things.

[DaveMc1]

your temperatures aren't right, one is cooler than the other. 

[ScottyMac]

Thanks.  Any recommendations to get those temps closer? I don't do huge batches, maybe a doz or two baits per session, ~1 cup per color at a time.  

 

Is there an ideal laminating temp?

[DaveMc1]

exactly what was posted before me, you need to make sure your temperatures of both colours are as close to each other as you can (it actually has more to do with viscosity which can vary with different colours, but for small batches by hand getting the colours as close as possible is best) If you are not measuring the temperature of your plastic then you really don't even know 100% if your plastic is at the right temp/over cooked to begin with, the first thing i would do is get a good infrared thermometer and take the temp as you stir. You will find real quick that just because you cook the same amount of plastic in the same micro for the same amount of time it won't guarantee that they are the same temperature. 

[fishon-son]

i had two micros made it easier .... but then sold my twinjector as i found the lams didnt really better my fishing any....i got both micros used at garage sales 

[Frank]

Try and get your temps around 300-310. It does matter what temp the plastic is as the laminates will come out way better at these temps. When you use higher temps you will more of a spraying action at the gate of the mold and you get a mixing of the colors. I know you want smaller batches but larger one are much easier to keep the temps where you want.

[ScottyMac]

Great advice all, thanks much.  I had been shooting around 355+ I'll bring those temps way down and see how that helps. 

 

Re: lam or not to lam, I routinely use a much heavier weight than normal and am confident that that extra flash helps with the reaction bite

[FATFLATTIE]

Yeah you definitely want to get your temps much lower than that. Even when shooting single colors the lower the temperature you can shoot the better IMO. If you get it down in the 310-320 range you should be fine.

[Frank]

Great advice all, thanks much.  I had been shooting around 355+ I'll bring those temps way down and see how that helps. 

 

Re: lam or not to lam, I routinely use a much heavier weight than normal and am confident that that extra flash helps with the reaction bite

Well that's way to hot. Is there somewhere you read that shooting at that temp was a good thing? You are real close to burning the plastic. Keeping it at that temp will make it yellow real fast too.

[ScottyMac]

Cant say that I've read it somewhere. Really have shot a bunch of baits around that temp there but I use dark, opaque colors so I wouldn't notice any yellowing.  I also add my color and scent prior to heating. 

 

I tried shooting some at 310 and I'm getting closer still a swirl but not as bad.  I'll give 300 a try.