Custom Baits - Forum
Soft Plastic Bait Making => Getting Started / Customer Support => Topic started by: firetiger on 04/28/11 09:58 UTC
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Hey Jason or anyone else for that matter,
I received the 7" Wutz-It mold yesterday and went to work on it. This is the first mold that I have owned that has the hinges. I have only used molds that you tighten down with the screw and nut.
I tried using two plastic clamps on the mold to keep it closed, but I was still getting runners on the middle and bottom bait. I didn't have time to take pictures and all because I had to go watch the Spurs!!!
Anyway, what is the best way to clamp the mold? I tried in the middle and at the sprue. Or is there something special I want to do with the injector? Inject slower, faster, cooler plastic, warmer plastic, does it matter????? I need a little guidance.
P.S. That bait is wicked!
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I've tried plastic clamps in the past and experienced the same thing. Try using a bar clamp or c-clamp you can hand tighten. As for the placement of the clamp each mold is a little different and it takes a little trial and error.
Good luck,
Brad
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I have found the best and fastest clamps are the ones that Jason sells on his site the Irwin brand.
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Yes the Irwin clamps are the best and easiest to work with. A clamp is needed at both ends of the mold. The hinge really just keeps the two sides together but does not prevent the plastic from opening the mold slightly.
Also, try not to "over-inject" the mold. Slight steady pressure and listen for the air to escape. As soon as you feel the pressure of the mold being full, hold for a second and move to the next mold.
Jim
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It looks like everything has been covered in the above replies. It is a big cavity mold, is vented well, and will inject very easily, little to no pressure is needed to fill it. I use the Irwin clamps we sell, and also some bigger ones for more molds. I almost always use two clamps, normally just spaced evenly towards the front and back. I never rely on the hinge for holding, it's only there for the convenience of keeping the halves together. The only clamp I would avoid are the c-clamps where it doesn't evenly distribute the pressure.
All molds will flex a little if not clamped well, but we use .625" aluminum vs .5" to help prevent this. If you are getting flashing you should be able to prevent it with your clamps pretty easily. Remember, easy on the pressure, it will fill easily without it. The only thing I would watch on this mold is it sucking down, you may have to top it off as it cools depending on the plastic you are using.
If you still have an issue, please post a pic. If this clears it up please post a pic of your baits!!!
Thanks,
Jason
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Lots of good info. Thanks guys.
I was still pushing the injector after I heard the air escape. I'll stop at that point. I kept pushing because I was getting a dent in the first couple of batches.
I definitely had to top off it off. I was injecting a one color bait and it sucked every bit of plastic from my 3 oz injector.
I think the clamps that I use are Irwin clamps, I'll have to look. They are the small 4" Handi Clamp. I'll try moving them around and see if I get better results.
Thanks for all the help!
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If you are using handi clamps, they will not stop the flashing. You have to have bar clamps. I went through the same issue initially. The hand clamps just are not good enough.
Jim
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There's the problem - 3oz injector. You need to use a 4oz or larger injector to inject that mold. I would actually go with larger because you don't get a full 4oz out of a 4oz injector. I can inject it with the 4oz (that is what we sell), but it's easier with a larger one. An alternative is to hand pour the belly and then inject it.
I'll update the mold page to reflect this.
Jason
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More good info!
I'll get some new clamps and I'll either pour the belly or use the twinjector even if I'm injecting one color.
Thanks for all the help!
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Sorry I left out a little key information about the injector size on the product page...
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I want to thank everyone for helping out. Tonight's injecting was a SUCCESS!!! :)
Jim, you are money on the clamps. Why are the bar clamps better, I don't know, but they definitely made a difference.
The advice for slight stead pressure was also helpful. I was really pushing hard on my first attempt.
Jason, having more than 3 oz of plastic really helped also.
Here they are, last night and tonight...
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b281/ghahn1/Workbench/DSC023172.jpg)
Close up on the baits....
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b281/ghahn1/Workbench/DSC023192.jpg)
I was using the blending block and the baits came out with a great 50/50 bait, but I just didn't care for the look of it. I wanted more green and less of the white bottom. So, I poured some bellies and then injected. The picture has the poured/injected baits on the top and the injected with the blending block on the bottom. It's not the best picture, but I hope you can tell.
Thanks again for all the help.
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GREAT WORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I really have to get one of those molds now!!!!! Or buy a bag or 2 from my NEW BUDDY firetiger!!! :D :D :D :D
Jim
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I can't wait for you to fish these on Falcon or Amistad. You are going to stick some HOGS!!!
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Looks good Firetiger!!!!
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Thanks guys.
I'm fishing Amistad the next two weekends then down to Falcon after that. Life is good!
Jim, I got your address off of your website, I'll send a few your way. I probably will not be able to send them out until next week some time, but I'll do it. You have been a great help to all us and I really appreciate it.
I'll let you guys know what the fish think of them.
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Thanks bud but I have a mold on the way so save your postage and put it into having a good camera with you on Falcon and Amistad!!!!!! I want to see the pics!!!!!!!!
Thanks so much for the offer though on the baits! I was just joking around!!!!
BTW... I'll be flying in to fish Amistad with you anyway so you can just hand me a pack.
Jim
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It's hard to resist that mold. Let me know what time your flight arrives and I'll pick you up!!!!!
Almost time to get off work and head out.
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Great work firetiger! Those are nice!
What size hook would you recommend for them?
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I've been fishing it with a TroKar 5.0 EWG and haven't missed a fish (these are the ones we sell). With that said, it could easily handle a larger hook.
Jason
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I'm back from my trip to Amistad. I fished the 7" Wutz-It and caught about 6 fish on Saturday. I must have missed about 4 more. They would take it on the way down and by the time you figured out a fish was on, they would spit it out. It was a weird bite this weekend for several, people. The fish weren't slamming anything, your line would be heavy and you had to set the hook.
http://www.caneycreekmolds.net/index.php?topic=351.0 (http://www.caneycreekmolds.net/index.php?topic=351.0)
Hey GoneFroggin, I use a 7/0 Owner hook for the 7 inchers. I'm looking for some big ones, so I like that big hook. I wouldn't go below a 5/0 though, that's a lot of plastic!
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Nice looking, healthy fish!
The 7.0 hook looks perfect on the bait. Did you try fishing it weightless or with a swimbait hook (weighted hook)? The reason I ask is it has a really good wobble with no weight, or the weight in the middle. It also slows down the fall as the resistance is spread across the entire body vs. the head.
In less than 6' of water I fish it weightless, I add weight the deeper I go. 20' I will use a 3/8" SB hook. Just something to try next time if you haven't already.
Tight lines!
Jason
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Hey Jason,
I didn't get a chance to fish it weightless yet. I was fishing in 15 - 20' most of the time, so I had it TX rigged. Once that grass starts to grow is usually when I fish it weightless. The weight of that 7/0 hook on flourocarbon line and a swivel up front is usually all the weight that is needed. It's going to be killer around the grass and up shallow when the bluegill start to spawn.
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a swivel up front
What do you use the swivel for? Line twist? I am wondering as I hate to put something in line as it seems to create a weak point when hunting BIG MOMMA....
We mostly have skinny water here (8' or less).
Just curious......
Jim
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Hey Jim,
The swivel is for line twist, the added weight just helps to get it down quicker. I usually cut about 2' of flourocarbon and tie it to the swivel and the hook. That usually leaves me with about 1 1/2' of leader. I haven't had any problems with it breaking so far and I've been able to land a couple of good fish on that set-up.
If I was fishing the skinny stuff, I probably wouldn't bother with the swivel unless it was really twisting my line.