Making Your Own Plastics!

[popperpitcher]

this is a good thread for thise of use interested in starting. I LOVE soft plastics. I often find myself just admiring them, organizing them, gluing parts from one onto another to make freakish looking creature baits. I cant help myself when I go to a tackle store. I always leave with a couple bags. I go to school for graphic design and have always been into art/design. This could satisfy two of my favorite pass times!

I am interested in creating my own unique baits. Those aluminum molds look like they are cut from aluminum block. I suppose a CNC machine could scan a model and cut the mold from aluminum.

What is the first step in creating a unique bait? Could I make a sculpture from modeling clay and go from there?

I've been reading this thread with interest. I'm interested in making my own unique soft baits on an experimental basis. I have professional experience and capabilities for making small cast parts (metal and rigid plastic) but have never tried casting soft plastics.

Making aluminum molds via the scan/cnc route is a MAJOR learning curve. I have used laser scans in business and they are expensive and difficult to convert to a good CAD model. Once you have the CAD model you still have to use CAM to write the tool path program. Probably not a reasonable way to go unless for profit. Eventually this will change and there are other methods.

I am thinking of trying to make baits using RTV silicone rubber molds. RTV (room temperature vulcanizing) silicone rubber is a common mold material for casting polyurethane plastic parts. This would involve making a bait in rigid plastic or metal to use as a pattern. The pattern is used to make the RTV rubber mold which is used to mold the bait.

What temperature does the soft plastic turn liquid? What is the upper reasonable temperature to cast? At the typical casting temperature, how long dies it take to solidify? Is the mold heated? Is a mold release used in casting soft plastic?

It would be great to come up with a method for making small numbers of unique soft baits w/o breaking the bank.

[bowman30]

I like to draft or draw a design on a piece of paper, once I have that I will take a tin foil pan or some type of glass cook wear and mix up some plaster of paris. I will let that set up and then bake it in the oven at 350 for 20 minutes to complete the cure, I then grab my design and copy that unto the POP grab my dremel and grind and shape it the way I want (outside of course) ... After I finish with that I mix some water and wood glue (one part water to two parts glue, regular strength glue is a little to thick) and paint a couple layers over my new mold (helps the plastic from sticking and keeps a glossy finish to the finished baits).. This is a one part hand pour mold so you will have a flat side! Give it a try very easy and inexpensive.

[Jig Man]

[What temperature does the soft plastic turn liquid? What is the upper reasonable temperature to cast? At the typical casting temperature, how long dies it take to solidify? Is the mold heated? Is a mold release used in casting soft plastic?]

The material starts out as liquid and as it heats it gels a bit then turns liquid again.

I have never checked the temp when it goes back to liquid. That is when I add colorant and glitter and don't have a lot of time to mess around. As soon as I get the color and glitter mixed in I continue heating. I use an infrared themometer and like to pour at 350°F.

It solidifies in a matter of seconds on the first cast.

I warm my molds in the winter to 75°-85°F before I begin.

I don't use a release agent as such but on some of my baits with inserts like tubes and slab busters I have found that a bit of cooking oil on the mandrels makes the job a whole lot easier.

[mikey5string]

I am going to try to make a silicone mold. Do any of you guys use a silicone mold? I got the idea from a thread on tackleunderground. Looks pretty easy, cheap and allows for more rounded baits with an open pour.

[SteveKickinBass]

I am going to try to make a silicone mold. Do any of you guys use a silicone mold? I got the idea from a thread on tackleunderground. Looks pretty easy, cheap and allows for more rounded baits with an open pour.

Were you able to get this to work? I'm interested in possibly trying to make my own too.