My first Pours

[saint308]

I just got my 5 inch senko kit in today (thanks Del). I have poured some baits and came out with some wicked colors. I was trying to use basic recipes, but they look different ( I will post pics). That is not my question however. I have an air pocket that forms in the top one third of the bait (about .5 to 1 inch long). I have read some of the suggestions on this site and tried them. I have tried hotter around 350, and I have tried cooler around 300. I pour until the top is filled. I wait for it to go down, but by that time it seems my plastic is cooler and does not go back down when I top off. I tried using my two piece by pouring half then putting it together and pouring the rest. I have also tried pouring put together from the start. Any suggestions on this would be sincererly appreciated. Oh by the way, you guys are right, I am already hooked. Thanks. Saint.

[millsryno]

#1 - over pour that baby....make sure plastic is running down the sides of it. As soon as you notice the smallest little dimple over the pour hole, it is starting to suck it back down, this is when you want to top it off. Once it starts to suck it down, it might be too late. Do it before it sucks it down. This is not only allowing it to have more to suck down, but more importantly, I think people are not realizing the real benefit of doing this. What it does it keeps the plastic melted on top. You don't want it to harden on top. If it hardens, the air bubble can't get out.

#2 - If it is too cool where you are pouring, it may be drying the top too quickly. This does not allow the bubbles to get all the way to the top. Pour half of the worm, let sit for 15 seconds, pour the rest. Still follow what I typed for #1.

#3 - It is possible the plastic could be too hot or too cool. Too cool may not allow the air bubble to escape quickly enough because it dries too fast. Too hot and it is sucking in plastic too fast. You want it as hot as you can get it without curling your glitter.

#4 - Make sure you are pouring it exactly down the middle or tilting it to the side. If you are getting plastic all around the opening it will close up and you will be left with a bubble. I like to pour mine straight down, some guys like to pour holding the mold at an angle.

#5 - Some guys just can't seem to not get a bubble. Keep a scewer handy and poke it down in there after you pour the bait.

[saint308]

Thanks I will try some more tomorrow. You mentioned pouring down the hole and not to touch the sides. I try to do that, but it seems like have to pour so slow and get a very small stream. I am afraid my plactic will get to cool. I guess I am just paranoid because it seems to stay hot longer than I think. One more quick question. You mention pouring half of the worm and letting it sit. This would require that I have the mold put together. Is this the best way to pour if I am not doing a laminate? Thanks again. Saint.

[millsryno]

Unless you are pouring a laminate, the mold is always put together for the entire pour. I would highly recommend that you master a one color pour before trying laminates. I can pour 8-12 worms after the initial heating. After you get the hang of it, you can just pour it in as fast as you can....pour the second one....top off first one....pour third one....top off second one...etc. etc.

[Senkosam]

Like Mills said, a partial pour of all cavities may help, though I fill to 3/4 or a little more per cavity. Again, the skewer idea has helped and tapping the mold on the table seems to force more of the side-plastic to settle down. It's the side-plastic that forms the bubble, coming to form a plug at the tapered top of the mold.

(note:I always hold my molds with plastic handle spring loaded clamps.)