"Micro" Pouring

[andrewlamberson]

Is there some technique (that I obviously don't know!) to "micro pouring" the backs (or belly) on baits like the 2.5" small fry?

I know I need to practice...practice ...practice...my hand pouring skills...but I still get to much in....little wisps of plastic..etc on the sides of the baits...which causes flashing when I inject the remainder.

I'm using a 2 cup size Pyrex cup...less than 1/2 full...with plastic to 350 (it's seems impossible unless the plastic is really hot and runny!).

Or....am I being too fussy...and I should just trim off the flash (it's really small)...put on the eyes and dip the entire body..which may take care of any micro flash?

I seem to do pretty good on the Swim Shad, Frogs and Toads...but it's a nice big target!

[greyphase]

Hi Andy

I'd try pouring from as small a cup as I could find. You may even want to try the small aluminum pouring pans that Lurecraft sells. Maybe heat your plastic in a pyrex and tranfer it to a warm aluminum pan. They are small, easy to pour from and should give you more control.

Rick

[kipbass]

Grey is right, spend a few bucks at Lurecraft for a small pan. I adjusted the spout with needle nose pliers and now I can hand pour the 1" small fry. I have found because the cavities are so small, holding too much pressure after the inject will cause flashing, really you shouldn't need to hold any pressure, just fill the sprue.

[andrewlamberson]

yeah!!! I want them to look like those!!!

I think I'm using to much pressure.

[pjmcla]

I am not knocking Kipbass in any way; as I am almost sure why he posted the two pictures.  Believe me when I say I have had PLENTY of baits that mirror these defects ( and much worse ).  Especially on a first injection in a cold mold.  The  top picture shows minor flashing from too little clamp pressure or slightly too much injector pressure in the top bait; and the tale tail tip curl of just barely too much pressure in the bottom.  In the bottom picture is my usual Uh Oh; The right middle and upper bait show my classic - Tail Droop.  Clamp pressure prevented flashing; but too much injector pressure and hold time and sometimes a little too hot plastic will yield this downward tail curl for me.  Mentally, I want to make sure the laminate "takes" well, so I am prone to over compensate with too long a hold with too much pressure.  Oddly enough; not all baits from an injection may show this defect.  Based on the number of baits showing the defect you can determine how much you are overdoing things.

[ctom]

Try using a plain old kitchen teaspoon. Once its warmed up it works like a wonder as long as you brush the drips off the bottom on the edge of the pyrex.

[Jason]

Try using a plain old kitchen teaspoon. Once its warmed up it works like a wonder as long as you brush the drips off the bottom on the edge of the pyrex.

x2 on the small tool.  I use a spoon or small metal cup and the Nitrile gloves to catch the drips.  Works like a charm.

As far as the flashing goes, make sure it is clamped well (2 clamps always) and just an easy injection will do the trick.  There is nothing fancy going on inside the mold that requires pressure or holding pressure - just a nice steady injection.

Jason

[andrewlamberson]

Thanks CTom...I'll try the spoon method this evening... I'll go over to Goodwill and buy a couple...because if I get caught using one of the kitchen spoons I'm dead meat!!

And I'm pretty confident I'm using to much pressure....

[ghostbaits]

I am going to post a few tips in the hand pouring section but 3 I will HIGHLY recommend especially for small ares and small amounts....

Get your molds closer to your eyes and the cup closer to the mold!!! This sounds like common sense. Your hand to eye coordination increases the closer the oblect is to your eyes. My "old" eyes need the molds closer as the years pass by!    I built my benches higher than a normal counter top for hand pouring purposes. You can just put your molds on a stack of phone books or SOMETHING STABLE to get them closer to your eyes and you cup closer to the mold! Excercise caution when deciding on what to place your molds on! Be safe!!!!!

Use more plastic, not less. Sounds counter intuitive but think about how easy it is in the beginning when you have a full cup to pour. The less you have, the harder it is to keep is warm and keep flowing over the layer of plastic that has coated whetever you have your plastic in. Granted you need to exercise caution when pouring but I hand pour a lot (everyday) and always prefer the cup to be full when doing intricate areas.

Lastly, use your other hand to steady your cup or whatever you have your plastic in. I use a rag in my left gloved hand and touch the cup slightly while pouring with my right hand. You can use the rag to wipe off drips also. This will help steady you to pour smaller amounts and help going in directions like left to right.

I will also say that I pour many times like some golfers putt! I will move my whole upper body slightly vs moving my arms and hands. Just seems to steady the whole process.

Well, hope these help little tips help as there is no doubt hand pouring is as much an art as a hobby. Some practice is required. I love to hand pour and integrating hand pouring and hand injecting will definitely take your baits to a whole new level. As evidenced by the OUTSTANDING work we see here everyday from all the members!!!

Jim

[MicroSpoons]

I have found for me that its best to use a small silicone cup with just a few oz of plastic in it. These cups keep the heat in so the plastic doesnt cool nearly as fast, plus you can squeeze the cup to make a narrow spout.

[superharmonix]

I've been pouring bellies on the swim shad lately, and at first I had the same issue.  I've found a TBSP sized metal spoon, COLD, works great.  As I pour, I use it to catch the drip to "fine tune" the pour.  The colder temp helps the small bit of plastic that hits the spoon to stiffen quickly instead of run out  into your bellies and cause probs. 

[andrewlamberson]

Micro.... Where did you get your small silicone cups from? I can only find big ones...(2+ cup size) at our local stores...

Would these work?

http://www.amazon.com/Wilton-415-9400-Silicone-3-Inch-Reusable/dp/B000FPX4GC

http://www.amazon.com/Wilton-Square-Silicone-Baking-Count/dp/B000NBNHHE/ref=pd_bxgy_k_img_b

[MicroSpoons]

got mine from ebay, you can cut them down to make a shorter cup.

[kipbass]

I am not knocking Kipbass in any way; as I am almost sure why he posted the two pictures.  

OOhhh, you hurt my feelings! I'm reporting you to the Admins! LMBO  ....It's all good, knock all you want, I got thick skin..If someone learns somethin' that's all that matters anyway.

[ctom]

I did about 100 1.75" small fry today, all two color shots and all were hand poured in the bottom half, then finished with the injector. I have all kind of time so this works good for me. If I get some drizzle on the mold around the cavities I just clean up with a single edged razor blade, before closing the mold.

Someone mentioned getting closer to the work with the face....I guess that given all the commentary about the fumes and all I'd want my face as far away from the source of the problems as I could keep it and still get done what needed to get done.

I did find out what 350 degree plastic feels like on a finger tip when one dips the bait way past the eyes. Thank goodness I had water right there. It appears to be a novel way to increase one's level of anxiety. lol