Ultra Minnow mold

[jmill]

Can you use smaller wire diameter on this mold or are you stuck with the the one it says too use. thanks for the help

[Lamar]

Like in piano wire ?

[andrewlamberson]

I use lighter wire on the smaller body sizes when I'm making them into chatter baits so I can wrap the wire easier. Sometimes I get a little flash up the wire but it's easy to clean off.

[efishnc]

Hi jmill, let me welcome you with your first question... 

As Andy said, you might get some flashing if your wire is smaller than your hole, but to what degree depends on the temperature of your lead. 
I actually drill out some of my wires on various molds because I often prefer more stout lures; when I go back to the recommended wire sizes, there is a little over run, but this is easily cleaned off with a needle nose pliers or even my thumb nail. 

[jmill]

Thanks guys for the help

[smalljaw]

I use smaller wire but you have to make sure the smaller wire stays in place. I was using high temp Teflon tape and I would cut 2 small pieces and stick them on the mold over the wire slot, that would hold the wire in place but after awhile the tape would deteriorate and I have found something better. Permatex high temp RTV gasket maker you get from the auto parts store, just fill in the slot on both sides of the mold and let it sit for a day and then cut flush with a razor blade, now you can use any size wire you want as the silicone will compress and allow the wire to sit perfectly center without slipping.

[jmill]

Thats a good idea to hold the wire in place ive also thought of drilling and putting a magnet in thr mold

[andrewlamberson]

For most of my molds I use the thin magnetic tape you can buy at Walmart. When you first use it you need to push down on the mold hard so that the hook scores the soft magnet.

I also put some along the edge of my 4lb lead pot to hold hooks next to the pot to warm the eye area.

[jmill]

Another question for those who pour this if you spray your powder on do you still keep the realistic detail in the head?

[Lamar]

Another question for those who pour this if you spray your powder on do you still keep the realistic detail in the head?

  Yes when you spray the layers are very thin and most detail shows through.