New Jig Molds Question.

[Gman24]

Got my new brush jig mold in today and football jig mold.  I don't have my lead in yet so I was just playin around with hooks and pins to see how everything fits in each mold.  I am using Owner 5304 hooks as well as Mustads that fit both molds.  I can get a good fit with both hooks on both molds except for the 1/2 oz size slot and the the OWNER 5304 4/0 hook that it calls for.  On both molds the eye holder dot seems to be actually bigger in diameter than the 4/0 owner hook and the mold is not closing completely. I can change to the Mustad and it works fine or if I leave the 1/2 oz slot empty all the other Owner hooks work fine.  Is this normal or can I expect a sort of breakin period in which the hook will eventually fit correctly.  I don't want to go modifying anything at this point since I haven't even poured the first jig yet.    

[cadman]

The 5304 hook is not meant for that mold. The inside diameter on the 5304 hook eye  is smaller than the pin in the mold. The brush jig mold is meant for a Mustad 32768 hook as every Mustad hook size fits in each one of those cavities. So with that said you have several options. You either file down the pin in the mold or you completely remove the pin. Now if you file the pin, at least it will hold the hook in place. If you remove the pin, your hook eye especially on the #5304 will be loose in the mold resulting the hook eye moving around and may result in the hook eye being poured too close to the lead. However you can remedy this problem, by pushing the hook eye as far as possible to the top of the hook eye cavity, when you do this, take some tape and tape the hook bend to the mold. This will keep the hook from moving around. I filed my mold, because I love the #5304 hook. If you have further questions feel free to e-mail me.

[Gman24]

Thanks for the quick response cadman.  I knew that the Mustad was what this mold called for but I had seen some posters who had made this hook work with this mold.  Like you, I absolutely love the Owner hook. I am gonna pour a few and see what happens without the 1/2 oz slot and go from there.  I will sacrifice my 1/2 oz ones being Mustads if I can get a good pour with just that one being a Mustad.   Once I figure out exactly what I need to do I may end up taking the file out.  Can't wait to get pouring.    

[cadman]

To be on the safe side when you do modify it, try to file the hook eye pin that is in the mold to sort of a point on both mold halves. This way when you put the Mustad 32786 or the Owner 5304 hook in the mold, the pin will at least hold both hooks in place whlle you pour. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[Gman24]

Did some more playin around tonight,(still waiting on my lead).  Why would the 4/0 owner have a smaller eye than even the 3/0 owner. It's not much by the naked eye, but you can barely see that the 4/0 is actually smaller in the eye.  I can put 3/0  all the way across and get a good close on both the brush jig and football jig mold.  I can go with whatever each cavity calls for in the football mold  3/0  and 5/0 as well as the brush jig mold,  But when the 4/0 owner is put in it's slot it does not close. Is there a possibility I got a bad batch?  Like I said in my post last night looks like I will just have to put the Mustad 4/0 for the 1/2 oz in each mold.  I guess I am making more of a deal out of this than I should  because I know the Mustads are good that's why I ordered them,  but I really am stuck on the owners. (NO PUN INTENDED)!      

[cadman]

Gman,

    Are you saying that the 4/0 #5304 eyelet is smaller than the 3/0 #5304 eyelet? I will check and report my findings to you tomorrow.

[Gman24]

It appears to be cadman. I guess it could possibly be the eyelet holder also. Just thought it was weird that it was the same on both molds?

[cadman]

Well this is what I checked on my #5304 hooks.

 

3/0 hook.... wire diameter is  .057 with an inside radius of .060 on the eyelet

4/0 hook.... wire diameter is  .057 with an inside radius of .061 on the eyelet

 

The eyelet diameter of the pin in the mold is as follows:

 

1 oz  = .092 diameter

3/4 oz = .083 diameter

5/8 oz = .090 diameter

1/2 oz = .076 diameter

3/8 oz = .074 diameter

1/4 oz = .066 diameter

 

Now mind you my molds are pretty well used so the pin diameters in the molds are worn, that is probably why the 3/4 oz cavity diameter is out of normal sequence. It's probably from constantly putting 5304 hooks in there to make them fit and the pin got smaller.

 

All this info is really irrelavant. I know that the #5304's do not fit in both of the Brush jig molds without some pin modification. The Mustad fit perfectly, which is what that mold was intended for. But like you, I love the #5304 hook, and have modified the mold to use that hook.

 

Also a side note. If you do not get the mold halves to close tight all the way , you will get a lot of flash on the jig head. Which is a pain to constantly keep cutting off.

[Gman24]

Thanks for your research cadman.  I finally got my lead in today so I'm gonna get to pour some this weekend.  I'm gonna see which hooks I can use and which ones I can't  before I start modifying.  I knew from all the videos I have watched tha if the mold don't close all the way I would have the extra flash. That's why I ordered both the Mustad and the Owner in case i couldn't get one of them to work without modyfying.  Once I get the hang the hang of it I may choose to do what you suggested so that it will take both hooks.  I will post some pics of my creations if they are worthy.  This website has been very helpful.   

[cadman]

Gman,

     You will run into some snags, don't give up, it does get easier. Your jigs will come out just fine. If you have more questions you can post here or Pm me and I will help answer all of your questions.