Tried out my new molds..1st Time Injecting

[Vols824]

I received my molds on Saturday and on Sunday I could not wait to see how they turned out.  I purchased the Lizard, Lil Toad Sticker, and the 6" Skinny Carrot.  They turned out great with perfect baits except for the Lizards.  I injected 5 Lizards and 2 of those 5 were perfect.  The other three had very short legs..in other words they had "Nubs" for legs.  

What causes this?  Am I injecting to fast or slow?  I used 2 clamps and made sure not to over tighten them.  

Anyways I love the Molds and am having frinds over on Sunday for a lure making party.  I will post some results after that

[BassDetective]

You might try 3 clamps for the lizard - probably not the issue but it can't hurt.  Usually clamping issues result in flashing or leakage.

Not sure which injector you are using but make sure you have enough plastic if you are injecting multiples. 

Try pre-heating your molds up and pre-heating your injector. 

Make sure your plastic is at 350 at least for larger molds or if you are injecting multiples.

Some stuff to try.  You will figure it out with practice. 

[pjmcla]

On the lack of legs -- was this on a cold mold?  Did you have plenty of plastic in the injector?  What was the plastic temperature?  Did you hold a light pressure on the injector for a bit after you thought the injection was complete?
Chances are it was too cool plastic into a cold mold, maybe with not quite enough pressure ( speed ) on the injection.  Make sure to get a good "seal" between the injector and the mold.  Not a gorilla pressure seal, just enough for you to feel the backpressure when the mold tops off.  You don't need but just a bit of pressure; and I hold mine there for a second or three depending on the mold after it hits full.
If you get dent's; hold a little longer.  Trust me I have done them all.  A cold mold will want a higher temperature plastic and a little faster injection - just a bit faster.  An injector with insufficient plastic reserve will leave an incomplete mold.   Do you have a reliable temperature meter?  This was a big key for me when I first started.  I inject a cold mold at 350 degrees and hold it a little longer for the plastic to cool and shrink and not leave dents.

Don't get discouraged;  Injecting has a learning curve; just like every other "art".  But; it isn't a hard one if you just take your time and think what did I do different this time.  Both for the bad and the good.  You will get a "feel for it" with a little experience.  And -- post questions on the board.
  
 

[andrewlamberson]

Every problem is either....temperature... speed or pressure!  At least in my experience!

From some of the issues I've had...I would guess that the plastic is not hot enough (target 350)...and the mold is cold enough that when the "cool" plastic hits the "cold mold" ...it stops.

Or...you just plain ran out of plastic!

If you don't have one...go get a digital thermometer (At Target or a cooking store)...that will measure above 400F degrees. Make sure you get your plastic to 350...but not much higher or it may start to scorch... and inject that mold. It may take a couple injections to warm up the mold. I'll bet the problem goes away.

Speed: To fast...you get flashing. That's my #1 problem! I really need to remind myself to slow down! I was having problems with my new 2.5" Fry mold last week...turns out... I was injecting WAY to fast and getting flash. Slow and steady...and they turn out perfect every time!

Pressure: The least amount of pressure is best!! Pressure = Danger!!! I think Jason has posted it a 100 times...just use light hand pressure. I should probably write that on the back of my gloves! . If you ever have to "push hard" or do anything more than "light hand pressure" STOP!!!! Something is wrong...and you are about to have a bad accident! You do NOT want that hot plastic shooting out of anywhere (mold or injector or...) at high pressure!!!


You have probably already read about ALWAYS wearing gloves (the Nitrile gloves are great!), long sleeves (especially on your "bottom" arm by the mold!). Always wear shoes (the darn plastic loves to drip!!!), long pants. I like to use a cotton Welder's sleeve on my left (next to the mold) arm. You can get those at any Hardware/Home Depot type store.

Read all the posts about ventilation!!!

Slow and steady...and you will get hooked like the rest of us....and have dozens of molds....hundreds of baits....and always trying to learn how to do some of the amazing things you see on this site!

[superharmonix]

I have to echo all of the above, with one add- if you preheat your molds, be careful.  The aluminum is not immune to warping if you heat it up too much (like with a heat torch, etc.)

If you preheat your molds, and I do when it is a bit colder, I strongly suggest you either use a toaster oven with a reliable temp control- or a griddle and only heat it the molds for a bit then flip them, then pull them off.  (with gloves- those things will heat up quickly) ...and make sure your griddle temp isn't much if anything over 300 degrees.
There's my two cents.  Oh and welcome!

-blessings-

[Dave]

Every problem is either....temperature... speed or pressure!

You are right on the money with those three adversities.

Vols824, the best advice we could give you in your beginning is to:

1. Use a thermometer until you get used to approximate heat times.

2. Relax and don't get into a hurry. 

3. What ever you do, do not force your injector.

4. Expect to blotch your colors a few times.

5. Use eye protection, gloves and skin protecting clothes. You might even throw a fan in the window before you choke your self out. LMBO 

Good Luck partner!

[Vols824]

Thanks for all the great advise. I will let you guys know how it goes Sunday. 

Thanks again

[Denny Welch]

Hey Vols...ditto on everything.  Welcome to the forum.  Use it often and it will cut down the learning curve a lot.

[Jason]

I feel I am no longer needed...  Everyone hit the nail on the head.  The legs on the lizard are thin so they move easily.  The temp of the mold, plastic and pressure are exactly the areas to focus on.   The warmer everything is, the less pressure you need with small appendages.  Once the mold is warm it will inject just like the others.

Welcome!!!

Jason

[ghostbaits]

I feel I am no longer needed... 

We are just freeing you up to work on more mold designs!!!! LOL!!!!

Jim

[BareKnuckleJigs]

We are just freeing you up to work on more mold designs!!!!

    Oop!

[pjmcla]

Yes sir. We are here to help if we can.  Let's see some new releases, or at least news on new releases.  .

[superharmonix]

We are just freeing you up to work on more mold designs!!!! LOL!!!!

Jim

Ya know it is a big responsibility!  It's kind of like the Deacons at church.  Their job is not to take over for the pastors, but to free them up for doing what they really need to be spending their time doing!   +1 on Jim's comment.   
 

[Dave]

Everyone hit the nail on the head. 

That's the law of Legacy Brotha! You taught us, now it's our turn to carry it and now it's your turn to focus on the law of navigation. Trial and tribulations is what carries us into the future! Weather we fail or succeed, our goal is to reach new limits to educate the one of our future. I for one am one who has learned a great deal from everyone here on this site, who intends on passing the learning experience on to someone who shows interest in our passion.  It's all leadership mumble jumble, but I think you guys get the picture.