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Heat the mold up, place the wire keeper where to want it in the mold, carefully close the mold so it doesn’t move on you, put it in a vice and crank it down. Easiest and quickest mod you can do to a mold.

If you need CAD work done, please send me a PM. I design a lot of baits for various individuals and small companies.

Hi, Can you send pictures of the BassTackle dual injector and blending block to gkiester@yahoo.com please? What size are the injectors? What color are the o-rings? Thanks, Greg

Hi, I am looking for BassTackle BT Bomb molds (4.2” non wide body versions). Do you have any you’d like to part with? Thanks, Greg

I have a spider now and it works great. I have no problem securing 4/0 & 5/0 hooks (.085 wire diameter) 1oz bass fishing jigs to hand tie skirts. If this vice ever ever fails me, my next one will be a Peak. They are amazing.

Sonoman, Please update us with how your trials go. Good luck and tight lines, Greg

Sonoman, I haven't heard anyone mention this yet, so I'll tell you what I do when I need to fill out the mold better. I also cast bullets (or boolits as us casters call them) and I am far more picky about filling out the entire mold cavity when casting my lead bullets (need to have consistant weight, lube ring grooves, OD, .etc) I could get into more detail but this is the lure making forum. I used to buy wheel weights and melt those down, flux, and re-flux but my lead was very inconsistant. I now purchase lead from a local indoor gun range that comes out of the bullet traps. Bullet lead is very soft compared to wheel weight lead. This lead is soft because it's typically held together with a FMJ (copper) or copper plating. Afterall, you want bullets to expand, so the softer the lead, the better (as long as it jacketed). My "go-to" solution for filling out a mold when pouring, is the addition of Tin. I buy the thick plumbers lead free solder from Home depot that is typically used for brazing or soldering copper pipe. The key is to not add too much. I usually aim for 1-2% of my lead to be Tin. It really helps fill the mold out. No Tin on the left and Tin added to the right Solder I use I also have some molds that don't like to drop my casting out. For this reason, I keep a 4x4 block of wood laying on top of my casting bench and i simply give the mold a firm, but no too hard, whack on the wood block and my castings fall right out. Just for reference, I do use a Lee 5lb bottom pour pot for all of my castings and I flux my lead (once per full pot) with cheap dollar store birthday candles. I will admit, my very first time was quite amusing and I was not expecting the pot to catch fire while the wax burned off. I hope my little tips and tricks can help you out (or anyone for that matter) as well if you choose to try them. Greg

Has anyone used the powder paint from Boss called Jig Armor? I was just wondering if the application process was similar to the Pro-Tec paint and wondering what you guys thought of it? Thanks, Greg

Bob this is good stuff here. looks like I'll be trying something along these lines. Great idea bud! thanks, Greg

I know right... lol. I guess I have been hearing so much negetive things about the cheapies that I decided this might be a tool that I don't want to skimp on as it would save time and frustration later on down the road as I go.

My point exactly.

I intend to give the fish something different to look at when I would typically pick up a rattle trap or spinner bait. Shad or bait fish would be the representation. Again, just want to have something else in the bag that either hasn't been seen or rarely seen. Greg

Patrick, I totally agree with everything you say about making your own modifications to a mold. Heck I have done mods to both of my poison tail and brush jig molds. I guess that's why we pour are own... to be different and have something to call "ours" and be proud of. The only issue with wanting a larger eye on a jig is that I have to add material to the mold and not take material away. I hate to put every single jig on the drill press with and end mill cutter and cut bigger eyes out that way. I also agree with you on the Trokar hooks... you would think they were made of gold for that price. I like the heavy wire mustads myself. Thanks, Greg

Hey guys, I have been looking for a swim jig mold that has a large eye pocket similar to the image I attached. I saw the snootie jig and trokar pro swim jig molds but I was hoping for something with a bigger eye. I am looking to target early morning smallies on shallow sand flats. What other molds that you guys know of are out there besides the Do-It molds? Thanks, Greg

Yeah that one I was looking at was around $230. I watched a video of a guy put a 4/0 hook in that vise and he bent a circle in the hook and the portion of the hook that was in the jaws didn't even flinch! I feel that the extent of my lure making will be all bass jigs and spinner baits (I am currently trying to find a good swim jig mold that has a large eye pocket in it). Of course I say this now. I don't have to worry too much about tying small stuff. I rarely fly fish (usually just for pan fish) and my brother is a fly fishing guide and works at Bass Pro and he's a fly tying nut so I always have flies whenever I need them. Thanks again, Greg

smalljaw and cadman, thanks for the incite on AA. Based on some of the research I was able to do today, it looks like the salt water fly tying vises are the way to go for the bigger hooks. What do you guys know about the Renzetti Saltwater Traveler 2200 Cam Series Vise? http://www.renzetti.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=100&Itemid=195 Iunderatand the whole "buy a good tool once concept" so if its worth it ill make the purchase. Thoughts? Thanks again, Greg

cadman, This is the one I'm looking at: http://www.basspro.com/Super-AA-Vise/product/10211542/ I think I'll try one since it's pretty inexpensive. I will post up details later on the quality and friendliness to larger diameter hooks. Greg

Hi Bob, I am currently only making bass fishing jigs. I would like to get rid of the 40lb workbench vice that I have and work with something a little more mobile for around the house. All I am doing is hand tying skirts and gluing eyes and weed gaurds. I am looking and the AA Vise from Bass Pro Shops (anyone have any time with this vise?). I also have the capibility to cnc cut grooves in the vise jaws to allow for hook channels for the bigger hooks. Thanks, Greg

I was wondering what a decent vise for holding on to bigger (4/0 heavy wire) hooks are out there? I have seen some of the more expensive ones, but I'm not looking to break the bank. Any suggestions? Thanks, Greg