shooting 9 or 10 molds...

[floridagrimp]

 I am shooting 9-10, 8-10 cavity 3, 3.5 and 4 inch carrot molds at a time ...and I am having clamping issues.  If anyone shoots a similar set up..plz drop some wisdom on me as to where to clamp.  I use either two 600 lb Irwin clamps or one, placed as close to middle of molds as I can get, without interfering with the injection.

[jl3140]

Sounds to me like you might need to go with 4 clamps, but I have no experience with large cavity molds.

[BareKnuckleJigs]

When I clamp I try to keep the pads generally centered top-to-bottom.  The only portion of the mold I'm really concerned with, "side to side", is between the Hinge Recess and the inboard side of the Runner, and in this space between the Hinge Recess and Runner, I'll basicly split the difference with 2 clamps...always at least 2 clamps.  Now, on my 3.5" Carrot 10 cav., only using 2 clamps leaves a little flashing (on the finished bait) at the mold halves, more times than not, so I'd use 3 clamps on that mold, and if Your 4" is 8 cav., I'd use 3 clamps on that one too.

[BareKnuckleJigs]

Also, I always clamp the hinge-side 1st.

[gone2long]

Are you saying your flashing during injection? I found it wasn't the clamps as much as injection pressure, you can really apply allot of pressure to a mold with these hand injectors far more than even the machines require.

[Jason]

I am shooting 9-10, 8-10 cavity 3, 3.5 and 4 inch carrot molds at a time ...and I am having clamping issues.  If anyone shoots a similar set up..plz drop some wisdom on me as to where to clamp.  I use either two 600 lb Irwin clamps or one, placed as close to middle of molds as I can get, without interfering with the injection.

Try the ends: http://www.caneycreekmolds.net/index.php?topic=577.msg2916#msg2916

Also, for Carrots all you need is enough pressure to fill a straight, smooth cavity - very little.

Jason

[BareKnuckleJigs]

Yes sir, I've gotten flashing during injection, leaving the flashing on the bait at the mold halves.  I find that this occurs when I don't clamp correctly, then I clamp right and it goes away.  That 3.5" Carrot/10 cav. is alot of mold for 2 clamps, unless of course, the clamps have large pads and the pads are capable of distributing and delivering the clamping pressure...but I don't have Next Gen clamps with larger pads so that aspect is only a "Big Pad Theory" at the moment.  But yes sir, insufficient clamping of the 3.5 has resulted in flashing, so I suggest 3 clamps.  Now, the 4"/8 cav., that's alot of mold, so I'd use 3 if I owned one, simply due to my experience with the 3.5"/10.

[Denny Welch]

I'd much rather error on the side of over clamping than under clamping.  Even if you're in a "time is money" mode I think the couple seconds it takes to add the extra clamp would pay off in the long run.

[BareKnuckleJigs]

Roger on'nat Mr. Denny...and less remelts, more perfect baits...that'd actually be a time saver in itself.

[floridagrimp]

Thanks...I am probably tightening too much (usually 18-30 pulls on the grip) and need to move clamps toward the ends of molds.  I could add clamps but i don't think that's really the issue w/carrots as i put 2 clmps on a single mold and it works great. On the 2 clamps big shoots, sometimes one side is good, the other, not so much!!!

[floridagrimp]

and gone2long, flashing isn't a problem...zombie  baits w/half a head are!!!

[gone2long]

Haha after seeing my post I could see how "flashing during injection" could be taken out of context

[pjmcla]

350 Degree plastic - OUCH !!!

[romeo d]

and gone2long, flashing isn't a problem...zombie  baits w/half a head are!!!

What is wrong with the baits?? 
Maybe slower injection may solve your problem.

[floridagrimp]

I'll do that...tend to get in a hurry w/carrots. shooting 49 molds, give or take.  I am going to space the clamps out wider and not tighten them so much (per Jason)

One thing for sure, I pour them plenty hot