6 replies to this topic

[t-billy]

I was making a couple pop molds yesterday when the idea occured to me. Cement mix is cheap and there are several different varieties. I was thinking it would probably be stronger than pop,giving better durability to the cavity edges. Longer working time too,I would imagine. Anybody here ever tried it?

[Travis]

I am sure it could be done if the right product was found or sifted but not for sure the gains would really out way a durhams rock puddy or POP mold to begin with. Once those are sealed well with an good epoxy they last a long time from my experiences. Some of used dental molding products and similar media to make molds but never really seemed to take off. I don't know if price, ease of attainment, or if basically ended up not being much better than the usual methods.

I have several boxes of PermaStone laying around to use on a vivarium project and might make a mold out of it to see how it does.

http://www.activapro...ound/permastone

[Smallie]

Take a look at UltraCal30. It is a plaster with Portland cement mixed in.

[t-billy]

Thanks for the input. I don't really have any serious issues with pop. It's cheap and works well. It's pretty durable once sealed with wood glue,but there's a long cold winter ahead here in Ohio. I think I'll pick something up next time I'm at lowes and do a little experimenting.

[smallmouthaholic]

Precision CNC aluminum injection molds simply can't be beat for-

1- durability
2-ease of application
3- precision alignment
4- superior finished product
5- continuous productivity day after week after month after year

They may cost more initially but save $and time in the long run.

[t-billy]

smallmouthaholic, on 04 January 2012 - 08:26 AM, said:

Precision CNC aluminum injection molds simply can't be beat for-

1- durability
2-ease of application
3- precision alignment
4- superior finished product
5- continuous productivity day after week after month after year

They may cost more initially but save $and time in the long run.

I agree. Especially when it comes to injection molds. I have a growing collection of those too but, I also enjoy making my own molds/designs as well. For that pop and rtv both work very well. You can produce high quality baits with either. Neither one is as durable as aluminum but,both will last a long time and produce thousands of baits with proper care. I generally make prototype molds with pop. If I decide I like the bait enough I'll make rtv molds of it. Rtv molds are very durable and if I drop one it's no big deal, They're hard to damage and pretty much maintence free. I was just thinking maybe it would be possible to get results similar to pop with added durability and a longer working time with cement mix. I'll be going to lowes someday this week. I'll post results after I give it a try.

[t-billy]

I Looked at several cement mixes. They all seemed too coarse/gritty. I'll be sticking with the pop/rtv.