Plastics For the Complete Ignoramus!

I'm an ignoramus because I've never done it or seen it done. I am completely without any knowledge, at all, about making plastic lures. So let me ask some ignoramus questions

First, does it always involve heat? I watched a video on YouTube of making a pirate's head and a kid said, "Even a kid can do it!"

What materials do you use to make the mold?

Once the mold is made, what materials do you use to make the actual lure? How do you color it?

What is "injection" molding and is there any other kind of molding?

Is there a step by step explanation somewhere that I could look at?

Is there a video I can watch of someone using a jig body to make a mold to make more of these, such as the old bait that Snake River just posted a picture of?

I don't know if I want to get into this or not. I need more info.

Thanks

GF

way will try to answer a lot of your questions. yes it always involved heat. know a kid cannot do this . you're wanting to know on how to make a mold there are many videos on flat molds I call them or hand pours both of them are made out of plaster of Paris I do not recommend them. go to the top of this page and read some of the stickers it will give you names and addresses were to buy supplies. I enclosed a bunch of pictures of injectors in a injection mold so look at the pictures. yes there are step-by-step instructions on the Internet showing you how to do injection molding there are a lot of videos. most of the injection molds are very spindly they range about $65 on up depending on how many cavities you are wanting in a mold. the injectors will run $65 depending on what size you want. plastic very in prices depending and who you buy them from. I usually buy 5 gallons of plastic at a time about $135 the coloring varies from a couple of dollars for a couple ounces and depending on what size of bottle you're wanting to buy very and prices. to start out with the hobby will cost you around $500 or so to get started you can buy a lot of plastic bait for 500 bucks.
Attachment 173059
injector
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coloring
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plastic
most of us guys use a microwave oven to heat the plastic in we used Pyrex cups.
if you have any more questions please feel free to ask and I'm sure you're going to get a lot of comments.
if you do decide to get into it please let me know I have some injection molds for you to start out with no they will be high dollar.

Here's the Do-It link for you to look things over... Softbaits

New this fall and not on any website or catalog yet, Do-It will introduce a whole line of store shelf molds and components geared specifically for the beginner. I believe they will start with 12 or 15 sand-cast molds. Machined molds are super expensive for entry level hobby people, but the sand cast molds will offer very clear, clean detail in the plastics, just not the shiny plastic surface. The shine catches the angler's eye and really doesn't make a difference in the water and plastics from both types of molds are used in the water, so there's no argument that will hold water in the shine department. Bottom line is that the new molds will allow people to enter this hobby for right around 140 bucks. Do-It will have the molds, injectors, plastic and colorants, glitters and hi lites offered on cards as well in 1 and 2 ounce quantities. Purchased alone, the new sand-cast molds will sell for about 40-45 dollars apiece. Cabelas, Gander Mountains, and I believe Bass Pro shops will be carrying this line of plastics making gear which will open the hobby up to a lot more people.

Here too is the link that will take you to the Do-It forums where more specific information can be gotten. Custom Baits - Forum - Index

OK, Thanks, WELL.... after looking at what all is involved, the dangers, the picture of the burns, and the COST, I'm pretty sure that I don't want to get into this. All I wanted to do was to duplicate some out-of-productions baits that I would use for my own fishing, IF they turn out to be effective, and I won't know that until I get a chance to get back to the lake which is 2 1/2 hours away. SO..... Snake River, when you get the stuff in the mail, let me know if you're willing to make a mold and make a run of some more of the one I'm sending you. And if so, how many more of those do I need to send you to make a decent mold to make a reasonable run of the things.

Somewhere I got the idea that you glue some of these to a piece of Plexiglas, build a little wall around them, pour in some stuff out of a jug and you've got a mold. Then you pour some liquid plastic into the mold, and out pops a bunch of the little rascals. I even watched one YouTube video where a guy used the Lego blocks to build his wall.

But if it's going to cost that much, I don't think I would ever need enough of them to make it worthwhile for me to get into all this.

I appreciate those of you who do it. I'm not throwing off on anyone. But "to each his own." I don't think this is for me.

Thanks

GF

there are several different things you can build molds out of, plaster of paris, resin, and several other things. I have tried most things to make the molds out of and to me injection is the only way to go. I myself after having done all that before going to injection I would never waste my money on anything else. To me there is no comparison. I spent a lot of money on the different things to build them and if I had just saved some money and went injection from the start it would have been better. Some people have made molds and used cheaper materials and have enjoyed it and had success. I as well as several others do not care for it. If you just want to piddle with it a little I guess it might work for some, but most people in the end if they like it will sell everything they own and go injection anyway.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gill Fisher

OK, Thanks, WELL.... after looking at what all is involved, the dangers, the picture of the burns, and the COST, I'm pretty sure that I don't want to get into this. All I wanted to do was to duplicate some out-of-productions baits that I would use for my own fishing, IF they turn out to be effective, and I won't know that until I get a chance to get back to the lake which is 2 1/2 hours away. SO..... Snake River, when you get the stuff in the mail, let me know if you're willing to make a mold and make a run of some more of the one I'm sending you. And if so, how many more of those do I need to send you to make a decent mold to make a reasonable run of the things.

Somewhere I got the idea that you glue some of these to a piece of Plexiglas, build a little wall around them, pour in some stuff out of a jug and you've got a mold. Then you pour some liquid plastic into the mold, and out pops a bunch of the little rascals. I even watched one YouTube video where a guy used the Lego blocks to build his wall.

But if it's going to cost that much, I don't think I would ever need enough of them to make it worthwhile for me to get into all this.

I appreciate those of you who do it. I'm not throwing off on anyone. But "to each his own." I don't think this is for me.

Thanks

GF

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I only need three or four of your baits to send two different mold makers no guarantees but we will look at them and let you know. I will definitely let you know when your package arrives here.

most people don't realize what it costs to get into injection molding even as a hobby it is quite expensive also it is very addicting because once you start buying the molds you are wanting more I've already spent too much money on molds most of my stuff is made for CRAPPIES as I only have a couple molds for bass .

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gill Fisher

I'm an ignoramus because I've never done it or seen it done. I am completely without any knowledge, at all, about making plastic lures. So let me ask some ignoramus questions

First, does it always involve heat? I watched a video on YouTube of making a pirate's head and a kid said, "Even a kid can do it!"

What materials do you use to make the mold?

Once the mold is made, what materials do you use to make the actual lure? How do you color it?

What is "injection" molding and is there any other kind of molding?

Is there a step by step explanation somewhere that I could look at?

Is there a video I can watch of someone using a jig body to make a mold to make more of these, such as the old bait that Snake River just posted a picture of?

I don't know if I want to get into this or not. I need more info.

Thanks

GF

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That is how I felt two years ago when I got into soft plastics. Let me tell you that the longest journey you will ever make starts with the first step.

I would encourage you to read all the stickies at the top of this forum, start with one aluminum mold and aluminum injector, a microwave, Pyrex cup, coloring and a quart of plastisol. Then read all the advice you are being given and give it a try.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by crappieseeker

there are several different things you can build molds out of, plaster of paris, resin, and several other things. I have tried most things to make the molds out of and to me injection is the only way to go. I myself after having done all that before going to injection I would never waste my money on anything else. To me there is no comparison. I spent a lot of money on the different things to build them and if I had just saved some money and went injection from the start it would have been better. Some people have made molds and used cheaper materials and have enjoyed it and had success. I as well as several others do not care for it. If you just want to piddle with it a little I guess it might work for some, but most people in the end if they like it will sell everything they own and go injection anyway.

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I did the same thing trying to make resin and plaster molds. I would never advise anyone to go that route. Injection molding is my preferred method.

There is a poor man's way to do this. I know because I'm doing it LOL. However I agree with the above advice if you are looking for 3D baits that look professional.