Custom Baits - Forum

Soft Plastic Bait Making => Soft Plastic and Plastic Baits - How To??? => Topic started by: jmatheny9 on 01/08/14 11:59 UTC

Title: HDA
Post by: jmatheny9 on 01/08/14 11:59 UTC
How are you guys measuring the HDA? It seems thick and hard to get a good measurement because it just sticks to my measuring spoons...


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Title: Re: HDA
Post by: jl3140 on 01/08/14 12:01 UTC
If you use a plastic syringe such as this

(http://cloudfront.zorotools.com/product/full/5FVD8_AS01.JPG)

you can easily measure it. You can get one of these for a couple bucks at Runnings in the livestock area. Otherwise I'm sure walmart has something similar too.

You may have to drill out the end a bit depending on what size you get.

Josh
Title: Re: HDA
Post by: andrewlamberson on 01/08/14 12:32 UTC
I use a tablespoon from the Goodwill Store (WARNING: DO NOT get caught using on of you Mom's spoons!!! Bad things can happen...trust me!).

I don't have any issues with the HD coming off...if it's stirred into cold plastic. Jason recommended adding the HD to cold plastic.

I do have the wipe the spoon off with a paper towel when I'm done but it's just a film of HD.

I use 2 table spoons per 4 oz as my "standard".

While you're at the store getting a couple table spoons, pick up some teaspoons to use to pour the belly's of your baits. CTom gave me that tip a while back and it's a good one! I made the teaspoons have a pour spout by crushing the tip in a vise. You probably want to buy a few spoons in case it takes a couple tries. But they are really cheap at the Goodwill store.

Andy
Title: Re: HDA
Post by: ctom on 01/08/14 12:39 UTC
My shooting table is decorated in Contemporary Goodwill. Spoons, pyrex measuring cups, 6 and 8 ounce pyrex custard cups by the arm load. Thrift stores are another hot shopping spot.
Title: Re: HDA
Post by: Denny Welch on 01/08/14 15:17 UTC
Go ahead and use your mom's good silver.  When she starts getting all over you just tell her that Tom said it was ok.
Title: Re: HDA
Post by: ctom on 01/08/14 15:23 UTC
Why...certainly! Would you like my California hotline number?
Title: Re: HDA
Post by: jmatheny9 on 01/08/14 17:19 UTC
I've just been using a plastic spoon or the HDA because I don't want to keep having to wipe it off


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Title: Re: HDA
Post by: Botanophilia on 01/25/14 16:33 UTC

I use 2 table spoons per 4 oz as my "standard".

Finally played around with some hda today.  I used that ratio and the finished product was tacky even after the bait firmed up.  Kicked it up to 6 oz plastisol and it works better.  Also seems like plastic doesn't flow as well at lower temps.  Definitely takes some experimenting.  Damn cold out there now, will be a week before I can play again.
Title: Re: HDA
Post by: BigFoot_158 on 01/25/14 17:00 UTC
Go ahead and use your mom's good silver.  When she starts getting all over you just tell her that Tom said it was ok.

As a dad i would kill em because if mom aint happy then i cant be lol.
Title: Re: HDA
Post by: jmatheny9 on 01/25/14 17:11 UTC

Finally played around with some hda today.  I used that ratio and the finished product was tacky even after the bait firmed up.  Kicked it up to 6 oz plastisol and it works better.  Also seems like plastic doesn't flow as well at lower temps.  Definitely takes some experimenting.  Damn cold out there now, will be a week before I can play again.
i also like doing 6 oz. seems to work great on my 4.5 sticks and they sink perfect. I went and bought me a syringe used to give farm animals medicine and it works well with the HDA. Where are you from botan? I'm in the same boat with the weather


                   -Jeremiah
Title: Re: HDA
Post by: Botanophilia on 01/25/14 18:34 UTC
Wisconsin, was in the low 20s when I was working with this stuff (32ish in my lab) 6 degrees now.  Mon and Tues are below zero, single digits into teens the rest of the week.  If it's sunny in the teens I might be able to shoot some more.
Title: Re: HDA
Post by: jmatheny9 on 01/25/14 19:11 UTC
I'm in upper West Virginia and that's the exact weather here. I've been shooting a bunch( I've got a little space heater blowing on me) in the building. Today the wind kept blowing snow in somehow and I gave up on it. With the HDA I've just been sitting it in front of my space heater and giving it frequent stirs. Don't know if that might help the flow problem? Possibly the sticky part too if there is any of that left


                   -Jeremiah
Title: Re: HDA
Post by: biglewers on 01/25/14 19:35 UTC
I picked up some metal tsp from Wally World for like 3 bucks.  They work great.  Stuff slides right out.  Stir your HDA up a little to allow all the oil and silica to mix well. You could shake it up but stiring works better. ( my opinion).  I really like the HDA stuff.  Even though I have stopped using CCM plastic (great stuff) it works just fine in the new plastic I am using. 
Title: Re: HDA
Post by: kipbass on 07/26/14 08:48 UTC
Can you still melt down your used baits and remake them with hda in it?
Title: Re: HDA
Post by: andrewlamberson on 07/26/14 09:30 UTC
Yes. I keep a small box on the deck of my boat for used regular and another for HD so I don't mix up the remelts.
Title: Re: HDA
Post by: efishnc on 07/26/14 09:56 UTC
While you're at the store getting a couple table spoons, pick up some teaspoons to use to pour the belly's of your baits. CTom gave me that tip a while back and it's a good one!


I don't sell my baits, so my injector and a good eyeball does fine for my bellies/backs, but I would recommend this tip for whoever is selling baits and doesn't have a calibrated eye... it's a sure way to maintain QA consistency!
Title: Re: HDA
Post by: ctom on 07/26/14 10:04 UTC
lol....

my suggestion to the spoons was not for volume consistency so much as it was ease in pouring smaller amounts of plastic into cavities. Its just easier to control the spoon than a cup or injector.
Title: Re: HDA
Post by: efishnc on 07/26/14 11:43 UTC
Personally, I've got no issues putting the injector right up tight and pushing out a relatively perfect amount for my bellies and backs, but I also know my baits vary a little from one to the next...  I don't see myself ever buying measuring spoons (or even a drizzle spoon) for pouring, but I think the idea is "could've had a V-8" good for consistency.

Other than your purple and yellow baits, you seem to have a pretty good handle on this stuff.   ;) 
Title: Re: HDA
Post by: ctom on 07/26/14 11:47 UTC
I do a whole spectrum of colors using spoons but they probably aren't shown in pictures here. If I took pictures of every color of bait I made I'd have to but a server instead of a new computer. lol
Title: Re: HDA
Post by: efishnc on 07/26/14 12:56 UTC
I love making all my baits, but I could never put the time into it as you do.
Title: Re: HDA
Post by: ctom on 07/26/14 13:07 UTC
I love the challenge that each mold offers. 99% of the baits I fish personally will have a tail color different from the body color. Most all of the baits I make and show in posts with eyes are the only ones that will have eyes. I fish them with eyes simply because I have them along in the pail, but when I make my own stash, they are not made with eyes. I really a pretty straight forward angler. I have some very specific attitudes about what and how I fish yet I really like keeping my baits relatively simple. At the shooting bench I like to play.

More than anything though, I make the baits I post simply to show others what can come from a particular mold. My spoon pouring isn't for everyone but there are those who have preferred it simply for the control they have. So many people buy a mold and get stuck in a single color rut when with just a small amount of extra time they could have something very unique. I like to think I am helping people unlock their minds a bit and go exploring in this world of plastic and colors.
Title: Re: HDA
Post by: efishnc on 07/26/14 14:14 UTC
I like to think I am helping people unlock their minds a bit and go exploring in this world of plastic and colors.

You have for me with your various clear baits... (DF has as well with some of his crazy creations, namely his booger baits and the wacky ring-it).  I mess around a little, but generally if I think it unnecessary to catch fish, then I won't put my time to it.

I like my baits to look good, but they don't need to be works of art.  The same goes with my cooking... I just want things to taste good, but each bite doesn't need to be an extravagant taste experience.
Title: Re: HDA
Post by: BareKnuckleJigs on 07/26/14 16:43 UTC
Last night I handpoured some 6" Flippin' Sticks in Green Pumpkin (with Lagniappe) then double-dipped the tails in a Clear/Heavy Blue Pearl.  YOw'zaaa!  Diggin' the handpouring...
Title: Re: HDA
Post by: BareKnuckleJigs on 07/26/14 16:50 UTC
As far as the HDA goes, I use 3 TBSP in 12 oz.s just to add a liiittle weight.  I shoot 3" K-Grubs Black As Night in Soooper Soft, and rigged weedless/weightless they're heavy enough and soft enough to effortlessly swim as it falls under it's own weight.  Awesome.
Title: Re: HDA
Post by: kevin on 07/27/14 08:17 UTC
any body have a m.s.d.s. on the hda?
a friend had a bad reaction to it on his hands an we wanted to see what was causing it
Title: Re: HDA
Post by: Do-It Corp. on 07/27/14 09:52 UTC
Kevin, we do have msds sheets on all of our product.  I can get it to you on Monday when are are back in to office.  There is not anything that should cause skin irritation.  It is mostly silica sand.  All of our softbait products should be able to be cleaned up with soap and water.