Custom Baits - Forum

Soft Plastic Bait Making => Getting Started / Customer Support => Topic started by: sim on 12/31/13 20:37 UTC

Title: Smoothy tube molds -
Post by: sim on 12/31/13 20:37 UTC
can anyone give me the dimensions on the baits produced by the smoothy molds?

I have a tube that I really like - its right at 3.5" to the tip of the tails, 2" to where the tails start and 1/2" in diameter - wondering how close the smoothy molds come to that -
Title: Re: Smoothy tube molds -
Post by: Jerry V on 12/31/13 21:07 UTC
The body is approx. 7/16" in diameter and 1-1/2'' from nose to where the skirt starts.  The skirt is consistent on all tube molds to this point as they all take the same spline - 2-1/4"

I know... the math doesn't quite fit.  I didn't name it the "3" tube.

Jerry
Title: Re: Smoothy tube molds -
Post by: sim on 12/31/13 21:29 UTC
Thanks Jerry  - is it 'thin' or 'thick' walled?

(Yamamoto tube is considered 'thin' in my book)

ETA - how long is the body on the 4" model?
Title: Re: Smoothy tube molds -
Post by: andrewlamberson on 12/31/13 21:58 UTC
Consider that the baitis a total of  3 3/4" long and you can cut the skirt to whatever length you want.  I cut mine back to either 3" or 3.5 typically.

If you cut it back to 3" that's half tube and 1/2 tail....thus the 3" tube.

If you want a thicker tube I dip them (often just the head to slightly after the hook eye) in a darker color....or the same color if you prefer the bait to be all one color.

Another cool look is to hand pour the bottom of the tube to give the "belly" a different color.  I like an orange belly and a watermelon brown/red flake upper body and tail.

You can also shoot the entire bait in one color, the trim off the body just barely ahead of the tail  (keep the tail on the spline), reinsert and shoot a different body color. (Like the one in the mold picture).

This is also why there is just a skirt mold..shoot the skirt mold and then put it into the tube mold. This also works with skirted chub grub molds. 
Title: Re: Smoothy tube molds -
Post by: gmintimidator on 12/31/13 22:02 UTC
The actual measurements of those tubes from tip to tip are as follows:

3" Smooth = 3-3/4"
3.5" Tube = 3-7/8"
4" Smooth = 4-1/4"

Keep in mind that they all take the same spline so the skirt length on all is 2-1/4" out of the mold.

I was looking for the same info as you a bit back and Jerry posted that up.  I just picked up the skirt mold and have been playing with it.  I've gotten better with it.  I've flipped the set screw insert over and use a razor blade to cut the head off at the top of the spline.  stick it in my 4" tube and shoot.  I have used a dual injector on it yet, but expect some neat results.
Title: Re: Smoothy tube molds -
Post by: sim on 12/31/13 23:18 UTC
Thanks all - that pretty much settles it - new mold for the new year!