Smoking molds

[Justin9j]

Hoping Sunday next week.
55 Friday with rain. Crossing my fingers. I don't care if they bite I just need peace and harmony.

[ctom]

Peace and Harmony....are you talking about sisters or tranquility?

[Lamar]

  It's 6:20 here and it's still light out. There's hope

[Fatman]

The ice guys (I don't go anymore since I went through once) were happy as heck the last few days as night time temps were below zero and wind chill worse.  It was -18 last night with wind chills from -30 or lower depending on where you were.  It's 330 now and we just went to 1 whole degree!!!!!!!!! but wc is -16. 

Should be tying but I'm wrapped up in my quilt in my comfy chair and hot coffee watching the walking dead and being lazy!!!!LOL

[ctom]

I blew the snow that came this morning and just finished watching Hannibal Rising.

[eyedo]

What does the mold maker recommend ?

[Do-it Rep]

MikeJ - Do-It Molds do not require a release agent of any kind to work properly. 

That being said, smoking a mold or using a release agent can help in the release of the castings. 

I was much like Ctom in regards to never needing a release agent and have been pouring that way for a long time but I just recently started using more of the casting release spray.  I do this for three reasons - The biggest reason is the spray helps give the castings a much smoother finish on the jig or sinker.  The second reason is it does indeed help the castings come out of the mold much easier than without it. Lastly, as mentioned by others it does help the flow of the lead as it moves through the cavities.

Again, the main reason for me to use the release agent is the smoother finish I get on the jigs or sinkers I'm pouring.  I've also found that on sinkers that have the size of the weight indicated on the casting itself that the release spray greatly affects your ability to read that weight.  Sinker's sizes poured in a mold that's been sprayed with release spray are much easier to read than those poured just out of the mold. I've used similar molds that have been candled/smoked but did not have the same results with the exception of noticing a difference in helping remove the cavities.

Also, the release agent does not transfer over to the jig so there is no clean up needed before painting.  The release agent is also easily removed from the mold with rubbing alcohol should you decide to do so.

[ctom]

Ok Kyle...question.

I hand cast 1/64 and 1/80 head using a ladle and the semi-custom molds and have no issues. Is there a benefit to using the release agent with these small heads? I also cast a TON of 1/32 heads, often a 1000 or two at a sitting. I have noticed that as the molds for these slightly larger heads heat up with repeated, continual use that the heads may not just drop out. Will this agent be of benefit there? You mention smoother heads.....will that be the case in all of these tiny heads?

And Kyle....did you get my pm last week?

[Do-it Rep]

Ok Kyle...question.

I hand cast 1/64 and 1/80 head using a ladle and the semi-custom molds and have no issues. Is there a benefit to using the release agent with these small heads? I also cast a TON of 1/32 heads, often a 1000 or two at a sitting. I have noticed that as the molds for these slightly larger heads heat up with repeated, continual use that the heads may not just drop out. Will this agent be of benefit there? You mention smoother heads.....will that be the case in all of these tiny heads?

And Kyle....did you get my pm last week?

Got your PM.  Messaged you back this A.M. 

I'm not sure if you'll notice the benefits of the release spray as easily on the smaller head sizes you mention as much as you may on a larger jig say 1/4 oz or bigger.  While pouring up the new Teardrop Drop-Shot weights for photographs I noticed a huge difference on how good my poor was and how smooth the finish was on all of the sizes down to the 1/16th oz size.  I can't speak from much experience on sizes any smaller than that.  It's probably worth a try.  I know I'll be using the release agent on all of the walleye jigs I pour from this point going forward.

[ctom]

Thanks Kyle. I'll leave well enough alone on those tiny mites. Ice anglers are eating those up this year, so you know.

[Kasilofchrisn]

I spray all my molds with drop out.
Some of my molds don't completely fill out the small parts if I don't have it in them.
My bullet head molds that take large 10/0 or 12/0 hooks don't always fill out the barb around the hook completely without it.
Some molds just shoot better with the Drop out and they certainly release better with it.
As easy and cheap as it is I don't mind doing it.It lasts a long time before needing re spraying.
I probably wouldn't bother spraying a 1/80 oz head mold but those with small intricate parts certainly do better with it as do my large molds.
I think it helps the lead flow better and when you are pouring say a 24oz jig that takes awhile so definitely a benefit there.
I don't see it as a necessity but if a mold won't fill out on you that's one of the first things I would try.

[Cannibul]

I've got a fair collection of molds thanks to some friends. 

I'm a firm believer in Drop Out when needed.

Some pour just fine with no release agent and others (Bat Jig) need all the help they can get.  Hook collars are the bane of my existence.  For my own purposes I don't mind gaps in them.  But when casting for others I want them perfect.  A release agent helps those collars fill.  Even talc powder will help those difficult molds fill. 

Some  molds like the football and wobble jigs, very wide jigs) come out of the molds much easier when a release agent is used.

Now here's the thing I finally figured out the other day.  If you've got a mold where the hook collars are not filling in completely even though you've used a release/flow agent try varying the pressure you use when you grip the handles.  I found that by loosening my grip on the handles just a small amount some of those problem cavities starting filling a lot better.

[Justin9j]

I've got a fair collection of molds thanks to some friends. 

I'm a firm believer in Drop Out when needed.

Some pour just fine with no release agent and others (Bat Jig) need all the help they can get.  Hook collars are the bane of my existence.  For my own purposes I don't mind gaps in them.  But when casting for others I want them perfect.  A release agent helps those collars fill.  Even talc powder will help those difficult molds fill. 

Some  molds like the football and wobble jigs, very wide jigs) come out of the molds much easier when a release agent is used.

Now here's the thing I finally figured out the other day.  If you've got a mold where the hook collars are not filling in completely even though you've used a release/flow agent try varying the pressure you use when you grip the handles.  I found that by loosening my grip on the handles just a small amount some of those problem cavities starting filling a lot better.

Very good info here