ChadK Posted January 29, 2008 Report Share Posted January 29, 2008 any tips when pouring this beaver? I had my first attempt tonight with a couple runs and could not get a good pour. Several issues. 1. The bait seems to need topping off. Otherwise it would have a hollow head. 2. Plastic did not seem to want to form all the way to the bottom tail and into the conncecing groves. 3.the side tails seemed to have notches in them also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delw Posted January 29, 2008 Report Share Posted January 29, 2008 Chad most baits will need topping off cause the plastic shrinks. need to ask this firs to answer the question better Salt yes or no how cold is it were your pouring. This sounds like the problem is your plastic runny or thick. Are the air vents clogged? The split tail bugs pours pretty good, if its cold were you pour heat the mold up a tad in the over on a flat rack. the plastic either is to thick or the mold is cold as far as the tail not pouring all the way goes. also what type of plastic are you using hard plastic soft plastic or med plastic ( brand is not important)this will make a difference on how to pour it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChadK Posted January 29, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2008 First off Del, thanks for answering and being available to answer these questions on the forum. I do think the mold being cold could have been a problem. I'll be sure to get it hotter next time, I've been warming some on an electric griddle with a towell in between and that seems to work well. Medium plastic (regular) Yes, there was salt in the formula but not real heavy. what should I check the vent holes with? I was thinking a needle might fit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squigster Posted January 29, 2008 Report Share Posted January 29, 2008 ChadK, I have the same mold and have just had the same problem with mine. As Del said the plastic will shrink a little so you need to top off every one you pour. As far as the tail not pouring the mold is either too cold or your plastic is not hot enough. You have to be patient and pour a thin stream of plastic especially for the tail. Do not try and pour a whole bunch of plastic in the mold at one time or it will clog the cavities. As far as the things sticking off the side these are probably from the vent holes filling up with plastic. Thats okay and kind of cool anyways. It adds another dimension to the bait. If it looks like a mouse has ben chewing on the dog ears on the sides you could be pouring too fast which will create an air pocket therefore leaving a small chunk of plastic missing, or more holes need to be drilled near the top of the dog ears to allow the air to escape (I just did this to mine). Try and heat the mold but not too hot because it will take longer to remove the plastic each time you pour. Aluminum really retains heat so if it gets too hot you will have to wait longer between pours for the plastic to solidify. The more pours you do the mold will get hotter and give you better looking baits. If you mess up a few just remelt them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted January 29, 2008 Report Share Posted January 29, 2008 The notches problem sounds similar to a thread from a couple of weeks ago. That was a one piece mold. The problem was the flow was halted, a skin formed, then the flow was resumed, leaving a notch. Could this be the same thing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basseducer Posted January 31, 2008 Report Share Posted January 31, 2008 Chad, I've had the same thing happen on the first couple of pours and usually goes away afterthe mold warms up. Getting your plastic really hot helps, but as Squigster mentioned as the mold heats up it will take longer to get your baits out of the mold. But it's a really cool bait. TJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChadK Posted January 31, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2008 had better success last night. the top-off still seems to be my main problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squigster Posted January 31, 2008 Report Share Posted January 31, 2008 You are always going to have to top the bait off after every pour. I know its a pain but unfortunately thats what you have to do otherwise you end up with a hole in the head and a useless bait. Plastic shrinks as it cools. Thats why you are getting the cone heads. The problem I always have is that I have a 2 cavity mold and I immediately pour the second cavity right after the first but by the time I finish the second one the plastic in the pyrex has started to already cool so I have to reheat the plastic just for the top off's. It is only 42 degrees in my garage so that is the problem with the plastic cooling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delw Posted January 31, 2008 Report Share Posted January 31, 2008 Chad, Sorry I have been swamped and not on the websites lately, did you get this all taken care of? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChadK Posted February 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2008 yes Del, a warmer mold and slightly hotter plastic has helped. I still had a few problems with the topping off, but maybe I'll get the hang of it. Now I'd sure like to see a 3" version. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delw Posted February 1, 2008 Report Share Posted February 1, 2008 Chad, the topping off is a must, due to the plastic shrinking we have tried them with a 1/2" hole leading to the chamfer but the verdict still isn't in yet. one problem with adding the hole is it goes to the next size material and there is an added cost. in a few pours it will come natural and be no big deal. The 3-3.5 inch version. we can make them no problem but most people can't pour them as everything is smaller. I have a different version in smaller one that pours ok. but its pretty much the same size wings just the body and tail are shorter. the tail is the same thickness as the one we presently have. Delw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChadK Posted February 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2008 I'd be interested if it were available and functional. how long is it? or even a 3.5 mud bug. Just something smaller. I just need to find the rythym. trying to measure how quick to pour and be able to get back to the previous hole in time to top off and not wind up with a hollow tip.' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delw Posted February 1, 2008 Report Share Posted February 1, 2008 The mudbug pours much better in the smaller size, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChadK Posted February 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2008 Neither are up on your site yet are they? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delw Posted February 1, 2008 Report Share Posted February 1, 2008 no not yet. I am working on it though. Delw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
