Microballons question

[soda]

Hi there,

I was wondering if someone can help me with microballoons. I been reading other threads about making a crankbait lighter. Some answers I read say they can put 50% and some say 75% percent MB, but I can't even get more then 12% before its too thick to pour. I built a 4 1/2 in crankbait and want it get it as light as I could. The lightest I was able to get it is 15 grams without any parts attached.  I was hoping if someone on this site is able to put more than 12% MB how are you doing it. I've tried everything I could think of. Im using a two piece mold. I appreciate any help on this that would be great. Thanks guys

[Hillbilly voodoo]

I would have to read my recipe book at home to say how far I have pushed the limits but you can go really thick. Half asleep on nightshift so don’t have my book handy 

I don’t clamp the top of my molds this way I can spread the mold a little with a butter knife well I pour with the other hand 

If you really want it light you can also make a foam core and suspend it in your mold before pouring resin. Solid resin baits are not known for being light

Good to see the spam has cleared up might have to sign in more often again 

 

[soda]

Thanks Hillbilly, Im starting to think  resin is good but has its limits....i think I'll look up the foam material and give that a try. Appreciate all your help hillbilly. 

Take care.

Soda

[Flaswimbaiter]

The most I use is 12% but before I used as much as 20% and it was hard as you said.  I mixed the balloons throughly with one part then mixed and then pour and I had some large Sprues. 

[Hillbilly voodoo]

4 hours ago, Flaswimbaiter said:

The most I use is 12% but before I used as much as 20% and it was hard as you said.  I mixed the balloons throughly with one part then mixed and then pour and I had some large Sprues. 

I know instructions tell you to mix micro balloon’s with one part first but I never have. I just slap it all together and mix no issues 

[Flaswimbaiter]

27 minutes ago, Hillbilly voodoo said:

I know instructions tell you to mix micro balloon’s with one part first but I never have. I just slap it all together and mix no issues 

I did it mainly cause I was using too many balloons and it became a habit. I would mix with the thinner of the two to make it mix and flow better. 

[soda]

Thanks flaswimbaiter, I decide Im going to keep it at 12% and try other ways to make the bait move the way I want it too. I will try the foam though to see how that works and I'll keep learning. Thanks again you guys and I'll talk to you soon.

soda

[Vodkaman]

Soda - I believe the problem here is that some people are quoting you numbers by volume rather than weight. The highest percentage MBs I managed was 30% by weight, and I achieved this by injecting the mix using an icing syringe (as in cake making). The consistency was that of English mustard and definitely not pourable.

For normal pouring, 12% by weight sounds about right for a maximum.

Dave

[soda]

Ahhh that makes more sense....I racked my brain trying to figure how the heck are they putting more than 12 percent. Thanks Vodkaman I appreciate your help.

Take care

soda

[Flaswimbaiter]

Sorry I didn’t clarify, I meant by weight. I have put more but it’s like peanut butter. 

[mark poulson]

How does the amount of microballons affect strength?

[Hillbilly voodoo]

4 hours ago, mark poulson said:

How does the amount of microballons affect strength?

If you get excessive with micro balloons it does weaken the lure but the blanks are still very strong 

I have never had a resin blank regardless of the mixture fail on a fish. But yes if I get really frustrated and decide I have had enough my 220lb carcass can snap some of my designs if I loose my temper 

I have never had a lure fail even with fish that are 30lbs+. I have pulled lots of 10lb fish into a boat or kayak by grabbing the lure too

 

[mark poulson]

1 hour ago, Hillbilly voodoo said:

If you get excessive with micro balloons it does weaken the lure but the blanks are still very strong 

I have never had a resin blank regardless of the mixture fail on a fish. But yes if I get really frustrated and decide I have had enough my 220lb carcass can snap some of my designs if I loose my temper 

I have never had a lure fail even with fish that are 30lbs+. I have pulled lots of 10lb fish into a boat or kayak by grabbing the lure too

 

Thanks

[adamgreen22]

On 8/1/2023 at 12:59 AM, Hillbilly voodoo said:

If you get excessive with micro balloons it does weaken the lure but the blanks are still very strong 

I have never had a resin blank regardless of the mixture fail on a fish. But yes if I get really frustrated and decide I have had enough my 220lb carcass can snap some of my designs if I loose my temper 

I have never had a lure fail even with fish that are 30lbs+. I have pulled lots of 10lb fish into a boat or kayak by grabbing the lure too

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Thanks a lot sir! Was searching for similar information.

[rbredefe]

I like the inner foam core idea. I have used the lighter alumifoams put in a jumbo paper straw for small crankbaits as well as rectangular pieces of balsa. Every once in a while the resin won’t fill in around the core but both methods have worked. I have not had consistent results with straight alumifoam as it pushes against the mold during expansion.