The Dutchman Posted February 24, 2005 Report Share Posted February 24, 2005 I am getting a soft spot - caved-in spot on my stiks about an inch from the top. Not enough plastic, too hot when I release, what? Can't figure it out. Not on all stiks - every once in a while. Any help would be appreciated. Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mojo Posted February 24, 2005 Report Share Posted February 24, 2005 Make sure you over pour - fill up the "cup" at the top of the mold. You'll have to refill it in a minute or so. When the plastic cools it shrinks into the mold. Normally you only have to top it off once after the initial pour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charkins Posted February 24, 2005 Report Share Posted February 24, 2005 Mojo is right on! Got to overfill and watch that it doesn't go down to far. If it does, fill again. Cal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dutchman Posted February 24, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2005 I pour slowly and overfill the top. I really don't get the hollow in the top like an air tube but I do get an indentation in the stix about an inch from top - sometimes. When I cut the stix up for reheating, there is no hole where the indentation is on the stix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nova Posted February 24, 2005 Report Share Posted February 24, 2005 I think you're taking your baits out of the mold too soon. The more you pour the hotter your mold gets. So, you have to wait longer for you bait to set up. When you don't wait long enough your bait its not evenly cooled. This makes a "hot spot" which is where you get the dimple. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJFishRGuy Posted February 25, 2005 Report Share Posted February 25, 2005 I get this sometimes too and I have no idea what causes it. It's not an air hole; I've cut the baits open and checked. It's not an empty reservoir; I keep them completely filled. It's not how long the bait cools; I've gone upstairs for something, and not come back for 15 minutes, and STILL had it. I am at a lost, but you're not alone with this issue, brother... Good news is it doesn't affect how the fish bite! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
millsryno Posted February 25, 2005 Report Share Posted February 25, 2005 I think it may be because the mold is cold. I notice this when I first start pouring, but as my molds get hot, I do not notice it anymore. Try heating your molds up in the oven before you pour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish_N_Fool Posted February 25, 2005 Report Share Posted February 25, 2005 What causes this is the plastic shrinks as it cools. If you can keep the pour hole open and fresh hot plastic for it to suck into the mold your baits will come out without the indents. But if the hole seals up with hardened plastic before the bait quits shrinking you get the indentation on your baits as the plastic gets pulled into the shrinking area it pulls the plastic away from the outside of the mold. The best way to keep this from happening is to make sure your mold has plenty of hot plastic above the hole so it stays open. When pouring very large baits this gets to be even more of a problem, I have found that if you pour about 85% of the bait wait for it to cool then pour the rest it will not get the dents in the bait as it just shrinks at the top like a open 1 piece mold does and it can't suck the plastic away from the mold sides. The down side is you end up with a cold pour line, but on baits like my 10" swim bait this is the only way I can make them without the shrink dents. Hope this helps explain it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe S. Posted February 25, 2005 Report Share Posted February 25, 2005 I have the same problem with the little air pocket at the tip of the stick, I noticed when I held the mold on a sharp angle and poured very hot plastic,very slow and over filled the mold, it eliminated the problem for the most part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
