Marty Gutzman Posted December 17, 2005 Report Share Posted December 17, 2005 I am new to hand pouring and I have just started pouring my own Senkos. I purchased a mold from Del as well as my plastic (Calhouns). I have poured a few stix now but I am having a real hard time with small pockets at the end of them. If I work at it really hard I can finally get some good pours but I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. Am I not shaking my plastic enough?, Am I stirring it too much/not enough as I'm heating it?, Am I pouring to fast?. I get my best pours when I pour extremely slow but I'm just wondering if there is something else I am doing wrong. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basskat Posted December 17, 2005 Report Share Posted December 17, 2005 There's two things that will help. Warm your mold before pouring. When you finish the pour you'll notice that it sucks the plastic down into the cavity. Give it a couple seconds and top it off again. This will cure your problems. If you still have problems do a search on the topic, it's been discussed several times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty Gutzman Posted December 18, 2005 Author Report Share Posted December 18, 2005 I do heat my mold, it's usually so hot I have to wear gloves. I have noticed when I top it up I don't usually have a problem. Can the salt I add make a difference to this? I'm just wondering if maybe I am getting to many air bubbles when I'm mixing or do you just have to continue pouring real slow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basskat Posted December 18, 2005 Report Share Posted December 18, 2005 The salt shouldn't be a problem. I pour with heavy salt on the majority of mine. Just pour slow. When I first start, my molds are only warm to the touch. Before I'm finished they are hot to the touch but can still be handled without gloves. You could have your mold a little to hot. What are you stirring with? If you're using wood it will cause bubbles as the moisture cooks out of it. I stir often to keep the salt from settling to the bottom so wouldn't think you're over doing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
millsryno Posted December 18, 2005 Report Share Posted December 18, 2005 When you finish the pour you'll notice that it sucks the plastic down into the cavity. Give it a couple seconds and top it off again. This will cure your problems. I have noticed when I top it up I don't usually have a problem. Basskat is right on. Do not worry about being pretty with your pours. Overflow them until you become good at it and top it off before it can suck back down. As soon as you see a little dimple of it starting to suck down, top it off. You even realize this. Don't look for other answers, that is THE answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty Gutzman Posted December 18, 2005 Author Report Share Posted December 18, 2005 Thanks for the help guys. I will just continue to pour slow and pay real close attention to the dimples. I am also stirring with wood stir sticks(tongue depressors). I will switch that to a small metal or plastic mixing spoon and see if that helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nova Posted December 18, 2005 Report Share Posted December 18, 2005 I use old table knives to stir. Easy to clean up when you finish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassnG3 Posted December 19, 2005 Report Share Posted December 19, 2005 I use a flat tip screwdriver the handles never get hot Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wannabefishing Posted December 19, 2005 Report Share Posted December 19, 2005 Hey Marty, Spanky from F-H... i don't pour to slowly, i just pour 3 stix, then stir and then go back over the first 2 and top them up as they get that little indent in them, pour the last one wait a few seconds and top the last 2 up- sems to work for me... nevr have hollow heads in them... and i pour with some butter knives i got from the dollar store 4/$1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
