8" c-tail mold...with tails

[Mildog]

I have the 8" c-tail mold and the tail mold.

I shot a bunch of one-color worms with no problems.  I shot some tails and now when I try to add the tails to the mold (a pain I might add) I am having problems.  I am getting a lot of flaws, air throughout the worms and in some cases incomplete worms.  The two outside slots are the worst, but in some cases all the worms are bad.

I tried shooting with plastic at about 300, then tried shooting at about 350, tried slow, fast....just could not get any consistent results.  Does anyone have any advice?

Tom

[ctom]

Try to keep the tail color in the mold and use a single edged razor blade to carefully cut the piece off you want to use, but remaining in the cavity where it was shot. When re-shooting the other color, I like to add some stabilizer to the plastic while its still cooloer, heat it up to about 365 degrees and shoot it only holding the injector pump down with pressure on the new plastic for about 5 or 6 seconds before removing the pump. I think the stabilizer helps to heat the plastic to a slightly higher temp without scorching it and that allows for an easy weld where the two colors merge, but maintaining pressure for a few seconds also helps to get all of the air out of the cavities where the tail piece already is in place. Some of the molds are vented well enough that air isn't a problem. Others don't do so well and the warmer plastic helps move the air out. Some molds just don't like the two-color idea if they are not specifically designed for the multitasking..

[Jason]

Make sure your mold is not cold.  Shoot a couple solid color baits with it first, or knock the chill off with a hair dryer.  You will need to shoot them warm to get them to bond well (350-360).  A nice slow steady injection should work best (the weight of your hand).  Hold slight pressure at the end for a second or so and top off the spru.  If you are still getting air in them can you take a picture of some clear baits and post a pic?

Thanks Tom.

Jason

[andrewlamberson]

If you are making them for yourself (vs selling them) try shooting a bunch of baits, and then welding the tails on the body.

Here's a link to the discussion on the site....and Franks REALLY good video on the subject. With a little practice...you can get a close to perfect bait. I've made up a bunch of red and black....and black and red... ... 6" carrots this way that look great (and yes I know I could have just put them back into the mold an injected the 2nd color...but this was more fun....and I got kind of crazy and have 5 color carrots...with a skirt!!!)

http://www.caneycreekmolds.net/index.php?topic=660.msg3293#msg3293

Franks video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_OHozRyI5w

[Mildog]

Thanks for all the replies..

ctom,
The tail mold is separate so I have to take the tails out of the tail mold and put them in the worm mold.  Unless I am misunderstanding you....

I did have the mold warm.  I usually set it on a griddle that is on 200 degrees.  Although with setting the tails in the mold I guess it could have cooled some.  I might try again this evening.  Maybe with a little hotter plastic.
 If I have trouble I will do the clear shoots and post pics.

[ctom]

I mis-understood and didn't realize you have the tail mold too.

Warming the mold will help some, but ti think that running warmer plastic into the mold with the tail in place is the secret followed by the gentle pressure, filling the injection. Slowing down the injection rate is another great thing to be aware of. I have a mold - not a CCM - that deals me fits with bubbles if I get rolling along too fast and do a super shot. As you grow in this endeavor you'll learn tons of tricks.