Custom Aluminum mold question

[walleye warrior]

I bought 2 custom made jig molds from a local company in here in michigan. So my question is, are there different grades of aluminum used for making molds. I notice a difference in the amount of heat these new molds hold compared to my do-it molds and a Shawn Collins molds I have.

The new molds are a darker grey color kind of similar to do-its. With all that being said they are great molds and produce a very nice jig, but I do have a concern that they could warp holding all that heat. Any thoughts or input?

[cadman]

We machine a lot of aluminum where I work. We found that 6061 T6 is a very good aluminum to use along with great machine-ability.  T6 is the temper, and it is very hard. I don't know what Shawn Collins uses, but I'm going to bet he uses 6061 T6.  Do-Its standard molds are sand cast, I do not know what their alloy is. I have never had an aluminum piece of block warp. If it gets hot enough it will expand, as I've seen that in Do-It molds, but it didn't have any effect on the pouring or finished product.

[walleye warrior]

Thanks Cadman

[Les Young]

I've had several molds for soft plastics  from different manufacturers distort from excessive heat by shooting them  over & over.When this happens i usually just shoot some other molds until the others cool off & then you're good to go again for a while.Lead molds are no different according to my buddy that pours a lot of lead.  Just the nature of the beast i guess when fooling with aluminium & excessive heat.

Edited November 7, 2017 by Les Young