woodenfeather Posted June 28, 2005 Report Share Posted June 28, 2005 Hi guys, I just got a spinner bait mold and have a question. When I place the hook and wire form into the mold there isn't any way of securing them vertically. The mold allows about 3/8" of movement up and down. I just let gravity dictate where it should be but I'm afraid the "joint" is too far back in the head which would make it weak. I was thinking about attaching some small brackets to one outside surface and then attaching a magnet to come in flush with the inside surface. Have any of you had this problem or is it unique to this mold? (do-it ultra minnow in 1/4, 3/8, 1/2). I like the fact that I can shorten the arm/lengthen the hook and vise verse but I just need a way of keeping it where I want it when pouring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markell Posted June 28, 2005 Report Share Posted June 28, 2005 Masking tape will work. But it will add time to your pours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reeves Posted June 29, 2005 Report Share Posted June 29, 2005 I have the same mold, nice head, but not much thought put into it for the person using it. I try to place the hook and wire form connection in the meatiest part of the bait. This way there are no flaws when poured as the lead has plenty of room to flow around the inserts. On the 1/4 oz. they say to use .035 wire. Using the recommended wire size should allow the wire to be clamped by the mold and not flop around once the mold is closed. Mine flip-flops all around, making it very difficult to hand pour. The 3/8 and 1/2 oz. with the .040 wire works just fine. On other spinner molds I have glued a small piece of wood to the top of the mold to act as a clamp on the wire when the mold is closed and assuring the arm is lined up exactlty with the head. I only wish this mold could be poured from a pot rather than by hand, in my opinion - poor design. George Reeves H & P Tackle Welch, OK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodenfeather Posted June 29, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2005 Thanks for the replies. This is the first spinner bait mold I've seen let alone owned so I wasn't sure if there was something I wasn't doing right. I guess I'll figure out a way to jury rig it. If I come up with something worth sharing I'll let you know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richoc Posted June 29, 2005 Report Share Posted June 29, 2005 I pour with a streight wire and clamp the mold, and hold wire with not pouring hand. If you use larger hooks it is a must to get them placed in just the right spot. Or the hook eye comes throught the sides. Have in the past made dimples in the wire slots to hold the wire in place but they ware back down. Works for a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heavycover Posted June 29, 2005 Report Share Posted June 29, 2005 After closing the mold with hook and wire in place, hold the mold shut with your left hand and put pressure on the wire with your index finger, also left hand. This will keep the wire and hook in place while you pour with your right hand. Or vise versa. And I agree, it is a pain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siebler_custom_baits Posted June 29, 2005 Report Share Posted June 29, 2005 i do what Heavy cover just described, i think i use same fingers too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richoc Posted June 30, 2005 Report Share Posted June 30, 2005 I have a better method, but Another user taught me. I will see if he will share. Yes, I am holding out a little....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr B Posted June 30, 2005 Report Share Posted June 30, 2005 I use the same method as Heavycover but I use the thumb from the same hand that holds the mold to put downward pressure on the wire to keep it from falling deeper into the mold. Of course this is only for the cavity closest to your hand, unless you have crazy long thumbs . Mr B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topppher Posted July 1, 2005 Report Share Posted July 1, 2005 I guess that I would be the other user that Richoc is talking about.... He drove 4 hours to twist my arm for the secret.... It is a much easier method, and you should not have to repeat it after you do it the first time. I wish that I had my camera working so that I could just take a picture for you, but unfortunately I don't, so I will try to explain. First, you will need some high temp masking tape. I use the green polyester tape that is normally used for powder coating. The best size is 1/2" wide. You can find some at here ... (ebay) (kinda spendy, but I have gotten some powder coat from this seller before, and they ship right away, friendly too ) http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=42927&item=7527827189&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW Or you can get some from Here... http://www.caswellplating.com/powder/powder_tape.html I have purchase this tape from these guys, shipping starts out high, but if you can buy other stuff it will make it worth while... Ok, now for the good stuff... Take your newly acquired tape and put a few layers on the bottom part of the mold where your hook is. do this on both sides until your hook is clamped into place by the tape. You don't want too much, or you will get flashing around the head... Also, with this method, you will need to crimp the wire onto the hook so that it stays where it should too. I use the H style head, and I have been using the same tape for about 15,000 to 20,000 pours... and it still does the job. I suppose a guy could use regular masking tape for only a few heads at a time, but I have found that in order to get a good head 98% of the time, you need to head the mold up to about 300 degrees or more before starting, so hence the high temp tape. I have also tried doing the dimple method, and I have tried using high temp RTV in the wire slot, neither will work for very long, bit it is an option if you only plan to make a couple hundred spinnerbaits for your tackle box. sorry for the book sized post, but I do believe that my ways are always the best... Hope it helps. I have attached a picture for your viewing pleasure. It is my Stars and Stripes lure. These Colors Don't Fade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tunderwood01 Posted July 3, 2005 Report Share Posted July 3, 2005 I made an aluminum block, attached it to the bottom of the mold and cut out the shape of the hook in it. This works for me. It's time consuming to get it set up, but the hooks are always in the same place. Just make sure you get the hook where you want it the first time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodenfeather Posted July 14, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2005 Thanks for all the good tips guys! I sure do appreciate it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jigmeister Posted July 17, 2005 Report Share Posted July 17, 2005 OK here is my fix for the same problem........I took a centering punch and and lightly "peened" the edges of the wire slot (at the head end and where it exits the top of the mold) to displace the metal into the slot so it would firmly hold the wire form in place while pouring. Haven't had to do this with hook slots but I'd imagine it will work for that too........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
svepop Posted July 25, 2005 Report Share Posted July 25, 2005 What I did was to mix a small amount of JB Weld and to lay it in the wire slot groove. After it got nearly cured I dragged the wire through the slot removing nearly all that I put in the slot. Works great. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alstogy Posted August 31, 2005 Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 this post reply is for Woodenfeather. I have to say that I really liked your bucktail spinnerbaits and in-lines and I'd like to try them for some bass fishing here in NJ. I'd like to purchase a couple from you and field test them if you don't mind. You can contact me at AlObregon@obregoncigars.com Take Care Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smalljaw Posted September 3, 2005 Report Share Posted September 3, 2005 I hope you see this because i got a simple fix.. i have the same mold and here is what i do. first thing i should let you know is i use .035 wire on all sizes so in the larger cavities the wire slips so heres what to do to fix it...fires get an envelope and tear off a piece about 1/8in. square from the sticky part. then after you heat up your mold to start pouring stick the piece of paper you tore off to the opposite side of the mold where you place your wireform. line it up to get it where you want and close the mold. now your wire will stay put and you'll notice that the paper stays on so you'll be able to keep pouring a alot of baits before you have to get a new piece of paper. I have poured over 50 baits without having 1 slip. Let me know if it works for you...good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
