hand pours

[Mic]

How does everyone pour their molds?  I am new to this and I have used 2 different injection syringes that work ok for a short time.   The plastic syringes melted and the new one I just got made out of a "lexan" like marteral the tip popped off.  I have tried to pour from a pyrex measuring cup but my hand isn't that steady.  I only have 2 molds...a small drop shot worm made out of rtv and an aluminum chunck style trailer.  HELP 

[Jason]

You need a metal injector:

http://www.caneycreekmolds.com/Medium-Injector--4oz_p_89.html

We will have a bigger one with locking pins available in a few weeks.

Jason

[Mic]

Thanks, but the opening for the hand pour mold narrows down to about 1/8".  Does this injector have a small tip?

[Jason]

You can pour a thin stream out of it.  I normally just use the cup, but on occasion will use an injector.  It's just like pouring out of the cup except you control the stream by how hard you press vs. by how far you tip the cup.

Jason

[weltonio]

I still use a coffee cup sometimes. I kinda got used to it before I got an injector. It seems to pour better than the measuring cup. It has hearts on it for Valentines...

[Denny Welch]

Hey Mic,

Welcome to the forum.

To a certain extent, I also have a "shake" thing going on.  I tried open pouring into rtv molds and it didn't work for me.  I bought a couple hand pour senko molds from Del and they came out perfect.  I still use them often.  If I had it to do over, however, I would just start with injection equipment and bypass the hand pour stuff entirely.  It makes life so much easier.  You can get into a good CCM injector and mold for about $120 +/- and you'll be light years ahead of where you are right now.  Give Jason a call and he can walk you through it.  Just my opinion.

[ghostbaits]

With hand pour molds, an injector may not really help much as it might be even more difficult to hit the small spots.

Rather, use your other hand to steady your pouring hand. Get a rag and just hold it against the cup gently and help guide the stream. It will steady you greatly. Go slow and work from the big part of the mold out towards the smaller areas. Many times, the hot plastic will fill those areas without having to actually pour into those spots. It will help to have some slightly warm molds. Might pour some plastic in the cold molds just to warm them up good.

Also, get your cup closer to the mold or mold closer to the cup. If your counter is low, put your molds on a coupld of books that are stable and large. Cutting down the hand to eye coordination gap does wonders.

I hand pour, and have for many, many years. It is a slower process than injection and, in the beginning, you may not make perfect baits everytime but the ability to add hand pouring in with the injection process will get you to high places with your resulting baits.

Still cracks my son up to see me pour one drop out of 2 cup pyrex cups in each mold cavity down the line! About the only thing he will give me props for anymore!!!!!!!! LOL!!!!

Good luck!!!!

Jim

[Mic]

Jim,

How about the extra plastic?  do you cut it off or is there a way to eliminate the "over pour"...if that is a term?

Mick

[ghostbaits]

Sorry. I don't over pour so can't comment. I used small surgical scissors years ago. Fish don't care nut fisherman might.

Jim

[kipbass]

If you only want to hand pour, I would recommend buying this pouring pot from Lurecraft. Heat your plastic in a Pyrex and transfer the amount you need into this pouring pot. Here's the link. I used my needle nose pliers and made the spout narrower than it is.

http://www.lurecraft.com/catalog.cfm/materials-~and~-tools/tools/-special-pouring-pan:1783

[ghostbaits]

Good tool but just don't accidentally put it in your microwave!

Jim

[Justin9j]

Everything Jim said helped me a ton.  Plus practice practice practice.   I can pour 4.5 trick worms now without no over pour at all and even round the flat off.    6 months ago. All five of the worms in the mold would have over pour to the point they would all touch.

It's like welding if you have ever done that pushing the puddle forward also helped a lot.

[andrewlamberson]

I am about as hand pour challenged as the come....but here's what little I've learned!

1. Pour hot! 350 degrees.
2. Pour with the mold close to your vision (a tip from Jim ...Ghost Baits).
3. I use the arm on my clamps...to steady my arm. Using a big towel to help steady the cup/pan helps a ton also.
4. Those pots that were mentioned make a BIG difference!!!! I microwave ...then pour out of the little pouring pots.
5. Get GOOD molds! Nice open molds....CCM's are the way to go...especially to start. The Freedom Fries and Flippin' sticks are awesome. Now I can even pour the MadDad open pours!
6. CTom had a great suggestion....use a spoon! Works great on smaller areas. I have a lot better control with a spoon...probably because I've been using one so long! 
7. Push the plastic into the small spots...or the tails.

My goal: No trimming......

I think Jim and Jason are 100% correct in that you have to gain hand pour skills. If you look at some of the awesome stuff that is being done...most ...if not all...use some hand pours.


Practice...Practice...Pr actice!

[pjmcla]

Hand pouring is almost an art form.  Like any other eye / hand skill ( like welding ) it takes 10% ability and 90% repetition.  There are some savants, but mostly, just sweat equity.  Picking up a few tips along the way can make a big difference as well.  I used the small pouring pans 30 years ago.  Supported underneath by the off hand with a potholder.  The little wooden handle really helped me with control. I poured hot and close to the mold; in a well lit, comfortable position.  Lighting needs to be good; no pouring into shadows.  I used a floor lamp up and at an angle. 

[DobynsTriton]

I like to elevate my mold about 3-4'' on something that won't melt that way I can't hit my cup on anything. As far as steady i put my left hand flat & hold the middle of my forearm as i pour.