the_hide Posted August 4, 2003 Report Share Posted August 4, 2003 Anyone done this, I have some original Softies I can no longer get I'd like. Would Epoxy or some other substance be able to coat the original to make it a significantly hard enough master for a two piece mold ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidlizard Posted August 5, 2003 Report Share Posted August 5, 2003 You may need to talk to G8R about this one, especially for the 2-piece molds, but you can make a mold out of the original bait. The catch with my method is it has to be a one piece mold. You can pour fiberglass resin right over the bait to make a mold. I have issues with the resin, and you can read about it on an earlier post about molds. (pretty long winded to get into again) But it can be done and you could also use plaster and keep the original bait. Just yell if you have questions that I may be able to help with....Good luck John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RiverMan Posted August 5, 2003 Report Share Posted August 5, 2003 It's very easily to replicate virtually any soft-bait using a plaster mold If you would like the bait to be 3-dimensional you will have to make a two-part mold. This process if done correctly should not harm your original in any way. Once you have the mold you can cast a few new baits and then experiment with various molding options such silicone, epoxy, aluminum, etc. Good luck!! RM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redg8r Posted August 5, 2003 Report Share Posted August 5, 2003 for what your wanting to do, Id recommend molding in plaster or water putty. Both have a consistency thick enough to let you lay it on top of your first pour, push it in halfway, then let it cure. after the first half is dry, you can apply a sealer/release to pur your second half. dont forget your sprue (pour) hole, & keys, keys allow you to align the 2 halves. venting may be necessary if you have small passages like twister tails appendages, etc. One vent is always good to keep from clogging up the sprue hole Kidlizard seems to have the most experience with plaster so maybe he can jump back in & lend some sealer, mixing, etc. tips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_hide Posted August 6, 2003 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2003 Thanks Gents, I haven't been having much luck with the plaster however. No matter how many coats of modge podge I give it my plastics always come out dull. Often a little better when working some worm oil over the mold but really still no that good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidlizard Posted August 6, 2003 Report Share Posted August 6, 2003 Well G8R called me out, so here goes. I went down the modge podge road and really believed it was nice for a long time. However when we started pouring at higher temps the stuff just doesnt hold up. Plaster can be great for proto-types and personal use pouring, but not for larger production. Thats why we are trying to go aluminum, but if you are just pouring a few baits (500 is about the life I average per cavity) then plaster is for you. Go to wal-mart and get some Devcon 2-ton epoxy and coat the plaster with 2-3 thin coats. I like to add a drop of food coloring to the devcon that allows you to see how well you are coating. I also thin it SLIGHTLY with alcohol. You can do all 3 coats within 30 minutes of each other, but before you pour be sure to let it cure for a couple days. You will be very happy with the shiny finish it puts on your lures. If you have anymore questions please just ask. I can talk plaster for days, it has its place but like I said before I cant get it to last forever....yet!! Good Luck John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haebar Posted August 6, 2003 Report Share Posted August 6, 2003 I was calling some local craft stores about getting some plaster of paris yesterday and one of them said they had something called Hydrocal. She said it was better than plaster of paris, that it dries harder. It is cheaper. Was wondering if any of you guys have tried this material for worm molds? Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercury Posted August 6, 2003 Report Share Posted August 6, 2003 But if "harder" means its more brittle Im not sure that you would want to use it. A better material should be the resin sold in the craft store. It is more durable, but is more expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haebar Posted August 6, 2003 Report Share Posted August 6, 2003 I should have said stronger instead of harder. Here is a link that tell a little bit about it. Don't know if it would work for soft plastics molding, though. http://www.vandykestaxidermy.com/product/01348680/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pop Posted August 6, 2003 Report Share Posted August 6, 2003 John-are you learning to make the aluminum molds yourself : How are you going about learning : Pop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pop Posted August 6, 2003 Report Share Posted August 6, 2003 For instruction to mix Hydrocal, go to http://www.hrtrains.com/classnotes9.html There is also some other interesting mold information. Pop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_hide Posted August 7, 2003 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2003 Ok I'll give plaster another go. I'm based in Australia, so I'm assuming that since the Devcons not a brand I'm familar with that its a 2 Part Epoxy Resin and that you thin it down with either some white spirit ie (alchohol). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidlizard Posted August 7, 2003 Report Share Posted August 7, 2003 Pop, No I have not tried aluminum molds myself, but I wish I had the tools to give it a try. I wouldnt even know where to start. I will leave that stuff to the real molding pros. Yes, Devcon is a 2-part epoxy that can be thinned with alchohol. You should be able to find it on the net, but I am sure they have something similar to use in Australia. Good luck to both of you. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_hide Posted August 11, 2003 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2003 Thanks Kid, I gave the plaster one last chance and thanks to the devcon and change of plaster type (now using hydrastone) its an entirely different animal, modge podge isn't worth a grain of salt in comparison to the brilliant sheen and flow the devcon gives, how thin do you have your devcon solution because I managed to wipe out a fair bit of depth and definition by coating once a little to thick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
