Injection press or more molds?????

[Caleb9299]

Hey all, was wanting some info from people with more experience than I. I am on the edge about investing in the economy series injection press from Jacob's baits, or investing in 1k worth of molds to up production, can't decide on which would be better. I am making this decision cause I am selling at a rate I can hardly keep up with and want to eliminate as many trips to the micro wave as possible and more time on the molds. Any info will be greatly appreciated

[Edgecrusher]

I would say molds?
How much downtime will you have cleaning the press out between colours?
Could presto pots be a solution?

[Steve J]

This from research.
http://www.tackleunderground.com/community/topic/30914-overview-of-ultra-molds-mini-shooting-star-long-read/
Ultra seems to have a fine reputation

[BareKnuckleJigs]

I would invest in more Molds, then would increase Melting/Cooking Capacity and Injector Count.  Nothing can substitute or Make-up-for Few Cavities.  Plenty Molds/Cavities will get You further.

[camrynekai]

Molds!!! I have a Ultra Molds injection setup and also have custom molds made to accommodate the 12oz injector and my batch size. With this setup I can put out just shy of 5000 5" sticks in 7 hours.....working at a very comfortable pace. The biggest benefit besides the shear volume you can do, is that your mold temp stays low (120ish) this gives you a much better bait when demolding time comes around....especially when using salt/bead medium.

[ctom]

BKJ nails it. Camrynekai brings up a couple great points too.

[Bob]

When you're trying to produce a volume of baits there are only 2 things that will hold you back. Heat and the volume of plastic you have on hand. If you want to reduce the trips to the micro then I would hate to say that injection press won't do it for you, it can only hold a half a quart of plastic at a time so you are going to have to keep heating more in order to keep it going.

I would honestly get more molds of the baits you are selling most of as at this level it is the only thing you can do to manage heat, get some 4 cup and 8 cup pyrex cups and an electric griddle to set it on to help keep it hot, you only need one injector as long as you keep it hot (set it in the plastic and it will keep it from clogging).

[Apdriver]

Very good advice and nothing can replace cavity count for production. After that, if you can swing some kind of production system with pid controllers, stirrers, and some decent size pots, you're golden. Several systems out there. From time to time they come up on the used market if you're patient.