bassmaster7938 Posted February 14, 2017 Report Share Posted February 14, 2017 I am looking for the material to use in making swimbait tails like the river 2 sea s wavers, roman made baits, gancraft swimbaits, triple trouts etc. I want something that has some rigidity but yet flex when a fish hits it. I already have my silicone molds done. I purchased alumilite flex 40 and I do not like that stuff at all. It is not strong enough to even push into a slot on a swimbait tail section. It also cures full of bubbles that are not there when mixing. I am thinking something like smooth-on 60d, 61d, or 65d product? I would like to stay away from rubbers as im not having a favorable experience with alumilite flex series. Any help on what to use is appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jigginpig Posted February 15, 2017 Report Share Posted February 15, 2017 Go dig through the offerings at Reynolds Advanced Materials. http://www.reynoldsam.com/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anglinarcher Posted February 20, 2017 Report Share Posted February 20, 2017 The Alumilite Flex series of rubber really benefits from degassing, or curing under pressure. Contact Mike at Alumilite and he can talk you through it. I made some R2S tails from the 40 and it worked great, but I let it cure under 80 PSI in a pressure pot I rigged out of a pressure cooker. Not suggested, but .......... I also made some from Silicone and found it a better option. The Alumilite Trans 40 platinum base silicone rubber would be a perfect option as well. Again, call Alumilite and confirm, but ........ Personally, I don't like the stiffness of the R2S tails. They do it for anti-roll stability so I know why they do it, but flexing on the strike is not going to happen. Still, it is your choice. Good luck on your hunt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Adams Posted February 20, 2017 Report Share Posted February 20, 2017 polyurethane resins do not like any kind of moisture and froff up if it is present and create bubbles. Generally I do not use anything that could hold moisture to mix or measure like paper cups or wooden mixing sticks. Cold silicone moulds can also hold condensation so if i am pouring i stick the mould on the radiator for a bit. Pouring on humid days or not closing the lid on bottle can shorten their life and create very bubbly pours. If i want really bubble free pours i pressure cast in adapted pressure paint pot at about 45psi. If the casting has a lot of bubble in it, it will dramatically reduce the strength. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
