2.5" Swim Bait Problem

[gmintimidator]

I am having issues with getting a consistent full tail on this mold across all 8 cavities.  Any tips or tricks?  I preheat the mold on a griddle, hot enough to take the chill off, but can still be handled by hand.  I was shooting this in the CCM x2 white if it makes any difference.  That stuff is like molasses coming from the container.  Using stainless nuts and shaking the container beforehand.

I have used a twinjector on it before and got some really nice baits, but shoot it again the next time and don't get full tails, so I am unsure of whats happening.  I needed some white baits for a friend and it did it again, so any help would be appreciated.  Two of the baits on the one side were perfect, next 2 ok, other side of sprue only had partial pieces of the 3 fingers.  CCM medium and reheats using a pyrex cup about 350-375

[DobynsTriton]

Heat the side of the mold that makes the top portion of the bait to where you will need a glove & just get the bottom half warm to where its pretty worm but can still be grabbed bare hand. My swimshad has a thin tail that does stuff like you described.

[TheDreamer]

Try taking a q-tip and add a bit of worm oil to the tip of it and run it through each cavity, make sure to pass it through the fingers of the tail. Once this has been done heat up some scrap plastic to 350 and suck it into the injector. When you place the nozzle into the mold press fast to get it in quick but slow your pressure before the mold is full so they do not dent. It sounds crazy but with some practice it should work out fine.

What temps are you heating your mold to on the griddle?

Are you heating your injector prior to your first shot? (Depending how cold it is where you are)


Drew

[superharmonix]

It sounds to me like you are running out of plastic.  What capacity injector are you using for this mold?  You said when you use the Twinjector it works fine- which it what leads me to believe it is a capacity issue.

[andrewlamberson]

"hot and fast" ...for any bait with fingers or long tails.

Are you using a digital thermometer or an infrared?

I shoot this bait a lot...at 360 (with a digital thermometer)...but the mold has to be hot or the fingers don't fill.

[gmintimidator]

Thanks to all who posted, much appreciated.  I will give your suggestions a try later and let you know.  My guess is I am shooting it too slow.

[andrewlamberson]

Remember to back off on the temp once the mold gets hot... Or you will start to see dents due to the thick body cooling slower than the skin.

[gmintimidator]

I finally got back to pouring some baits.  My garage has been torn apart for months now while I've been building new storage to make room for my first bass boat.  The boat is home, the garage isn't quite done, but I needed some baits for the weekend!  Once I finally figured out where I stashed all my equipment, I was able to shoot some of the baits.  The hotter temperature and shooting it quick to start with did help.  I appreciate you guys taking the time to help out a new guy.  It's a lot more fun when the baits look great.