[drfish]

I am going to try making my first pop mold. The question I have is do I have to dry the mold in the oven every time I use the mold or just for the first total drying? I thank you in advance for the help.

[Fraley]

Drfish,

You only have to do it initially to cure it and strengthen it. If you haven't already done it you might want to take a look through all the posts on this site. I am just starting out too and I've found alot of great ideas and information here to help me along. These guys on here are great!

[MDC]

Just to get it dry the first time
Let your masters sit in the mold overnight, then take them out and dry in the oven. The last one I made, I mixed about 25 percent elmers glue with the water. IIRC Vodkaman posted this tip to keep the finished mold from being chalky. Make sure the water is cold, mix in the glue then mix in the dry plaster until it is about as thick as cake batter.
After taking the masters out I baked the mold for about six hours @ 200 deg. After it cooled I coated it with Devcon thinned with alcohol. It took three coats, letting each coat dry for at least two hours.
Hope this helps. Show us how it turns out.

[MDC]

You can do a search or just look back at some of the old threads. There have been quiet a few the past few weeks. They will probably answer any question you have. If there's something you can't find, don't hesitate to ask.
Maybe I'll talk to Spike a Pike and see what he needs for a tutorial.
You out there Bruce???

[Spike-A-Pike]

Originally Posted by MDC

You can do a search or just look back at some of the old threads. There have been quiet a few the past few weeks. They will probably answer any question you have. If there's something you can't find, don't hesitate to ask.
Maybe I'll talk to Spike a Pike and see what he needs for a tutorial.
You out there Bruce???

Sorry for not getting here sooner; it's been a little crazy lately. There is a tutorial titled Plaster mold making [ KB ] mold making 1,2,3 ....4,5,6,7 etc.
Is there a problem with the info or a better process? I've only used PoP twice: 1) to make a plaster casting of a deer track for my Nature Merit Badge and 2) to cast an arm for a medical exercise back in the early 80s; that stuff dried hard and fast - but I digress.

Doing a tutorial is pretty simple.

1. Identify the individual step to the process - actually list them.
2. Make sure the steps follow a logical flow.
3. Identify all the hazards and warning are listed prior to the step that warrants the hazard and warning (Example: Prior to dipping the ladle into the melted lead, make sure the ladle is completely dry of any moisture that could cause an explosion.)
4. Try to capture photos of each step to illustrate the proper method of doing the specific task. IF it is a critical task and an example of how NOT to do the task can be taken safely, that can be illustrated also but special attention needs to be taken to point out DO NOT DO THIS.
5. We can put it together and get it published. If your not sure of the exact steps, we can request a Subject Matter Expert (SME) from the membership - most of these guys a pretty giving.

If there are any additional questions, feel free to ask.

[skeeterdan]

practice is the number one way to get a good pop mold, start out with a simple bait, and keep at it until you get a mold you like. Dont be afaid to just start over, pop is fairly cheap. No matter what level you are at in making baits, the TU guys have been there and done that. and they are allways glad to help.