Having trouble with the 3 and 4" NO Magic

[2XL]

I'm having some issues with the tails not completely filling out on these molds. It's odd as when I first started shooting the 3" mold I had zero issues consistently making good baits. Lately though, I've been lucky to even get 3 or 4 baits that have the tails fully formed. I don't know what has changed but it's getting a little frustrating. Things I have tried are shooting hotter plastic, using worm oil to lube the tail section of the molds, holding my injector ( using firm but not too hard a pressure )  for a ten count before topping the mold off and moving my clamps around and adjusting the pressure used to clamp them to the mold.

I have no doubt there is something I am doing wrong vs it being an issue with the mold but I can't seem to figure it out. So here I am, asking for any suggestions as to what I can try/need to change to up my success rate with these baits.

Thank You in advance for any advice.

[ctom]

Try heating the mold a little. Set your oven to 190 degrees, open the mold and lay it on the oven rack for ten minutes, then shoot it. Be sure to keep the tail portions oiled. Double check the vents to be certain there are no tiny tags of plastic blocking them.

[Justin9j]

Little oil on the tail

[2XL]

I have been preheating my molds on a griddle. Not super hot but warm enough that you can hold it in your bare hands for a ten count. I have oiled all the tail sections on the mold too. Not a heavy dose just a light coating. I wiped the mold down before oiling the tail section and the vents looked fine. I took a utility knife and made one pass through one of the tail vents to see if that would help. I've not had a chance to shoot the mold since doing that so it remains to be seen if it helped or not.
Thanks for the replies. I'll get it sorted out sooner or later.

[BareKnuckleJigs]

Having trouble with the 3 and 4" NO Magic

No Magic...You done messed up now.

[2XL]

Oh sure. Pick on the fat kid. He's an easy target. LOL

[MO QWACK]

No Magic...You done messed up now.

He is right it ain't magic it's freaking awesome the key to the mold is soft plastic some regular will not do good in it. Some times I shoot 2 or 3 times before it gets going good but once it's heated up it's perfect 

[2XL]

The NO Magic subject title was a product of having fat fingers and not enough coffee in me so sorry for that. No offense intended.

I'm shooting this mold with the essential plastic. The first few time I shot it I got good baits every time. Lately it's been hit or miss, mostly miss. I have a gallon of CC soft plastic  and was wondering if I could mix a little of that with the essential to soften it up?  If so, would a 50/50 ratio work ? I'm fishing walleyes mostly and don't want too soft a bait. I have zero problem experimenting with whatever combo it takes but would appreciate someone pointing me in the right direction.

Thanks for the help guys.

[Justin9j]

50/50 would be fine.  I mix it that was all the time.   You could try 30/70 first see where that gets you. Then add some soft plastic as you go. 

[2XL]

This mold is still hit or miss with me but at least I'm getting more good baits than bad ones. I went to a 50/50 mix of Essential and CC Soft and that seemed to help some. I think where I am clamping this mold may be part of my problem too. It seems when I clamp the mold closer to the center the better my baits turn out. I'll get it figured out sooner or later.... Maybe      LOL

[ctom]

Are you using two clamps? On my 4" Mo's I use two and just barely bear down on them. I shoot soft plastic and I don't use a ton of pressure but I do pre-heat my mold.

[2XL]

Yes, two clamps. I'm not cranking them tight , just snug enough that the tails don't blow out.

[Billmo]

2XL,
The only way I can get any of these molds to shoot consistent tails is with hot plastic, oiled tails, shot fast, and I increased the size of the vent on the tail.. otherwise no dice... Im shooting in medium plastic because these no point in shooting a bait this big in soft or super soft. With the tail that thin I should be able to shoot in hard plastic and still get the action out of the tail, not sure why they would only be designed for soft plastic only, makes no sense.. 

[2XL]

Bill,

I'd prefer to go with the medium plastic with these. What's the temp of the plastic you're shooting ?  I may just end up opening the tail vents a little and see what happens.

[Billmo]

I'm shooting 350 - 360. If it cools down below 340 I start getting inconsistent tails again.