Silicone putty for making jigs

[jighopper]

I'm new here, and I was wondering if anybody has used silicone putty to make a jig head? I have been making my own jigs for 35 years and recently fished with a friend who was using a jig made by a company, and he gave me one.. I love that jig head and none of my 30 molds are anything like that jig. I saw on the internet videos of a silicone putty that people are using to pour jigs. Granted it would not last very long from the heat. But if I could get 2 dozen heads from it i would be a happy camper. They are for my personal use. Thanks for any and all help.

[Jig Man]

I’ve had limited success with RTV silicone.

[cadman]

I have had limited success with it as well. Like Jig Man stated I used red RTV also, as it has the highest temp rating. You will have to make a two part mold with equal halves. One half will have to support the existing jig along with the hook. Once cured the other half will just finish your two part mold. This is very crude as you really should have pins to line up the two silicone halves along with a fixture to capture the liquid silicone and some way to support the existing jig in the half mold so it doesn't sink down. Other ideas used in the past was Bondo and Durham wood putty. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[Fishermanbt]

I have had some acceptable success in coping jig heads using two part silicon to make a two part mold. 
https://specialtyresin.com/product/cast-a-mold-platinum-food-grade

I just use Lego blocks to make half the box and fill it with molding clay. Place the jig to make an outline then remove enough clay to get half the jig embedded. Remember to smooth out the edges around the head. Same for the sprew I use. After making indents in the clay as indexing pins add two more rows of blocks. Mix and pour the silicone in a small steady stream just to cover the jig(s) itself. Let it sit so air bubbles release then finish pouring the rest in a small steady stream in one corner of the mold. 
Once cured, flip the mold over and carefully dig out the clay. Spray release agent on silicone and mold sides and repeat the above. Once cured remove blocks and peal the mold halves apart. 
A vacuum chamber or pressure pot would help cut down air bubbles but I don’t have one. Stuff stands up pretty good to hot lead.  I use rubber bands to hold it together. I’ll usually set my Lee bottom pour on 4-5. Not as pretty as an aluminum mold but it works. 

[rustedhook]

5 hours ago, jighopper said:

I'm new here, and I was wondering if anybody has used silicone putty to make a jig head? I have been making my own jigs for 35 years and recently fished with a friend who was using a jig made by a company, and he gave me one.. I love that jig head and none of my 30 molds are anything like that jig. I saw on the internet videos of a silicone putty that people are using to pour jigs. Granted it would not last very long from the heat. But if I could get 2 dozen heads from it i would be a happy camper. They are for my personal use. Thanks for any and all help.

Jighooper I have made countless molds from Durhams water putty. After a while they will start to break down. The key is to not pour to many at one time. I generally pour 6 - 8 at a time. I’m still using molds I made two years ago. When I make a mold I bake them at 250 degrees for an hour to get them dry. Pouring a mold that still has moister will spew lead like a volcano. Before I pour I dust the cavities with talcum powder for better lead flow. If I can figure out how to post a picture I’ll show you a couple I have made.

[21xdc]

I'm wondering if this technique would work on high temp RTV....

 

 

[aulrich]

Smooth-on Mold-max 60 is what I will be using for proto typing a swimbait head. As I understand it you should get at least 25 casts out of it. I'll know more in a month or so once I actually do it and not just what I see on youtube.