Setting Up!?

[Fishing4SquidDuck]

can any one help me out i dont know what i need to get. i wanna make my own cranks and also pour my own plastics. what do i need and what brands are best! all help is appreciated thanks all.

[Vodkaman]

Starting up both plastics and cranks is a huge undertaking. Best advice would be to choose one or the other. Starting both is not impossible though. If you are going to choose one, there are a number of questions that may help you.

1 – which type of bait do you use the most?

Pointless making something that you are not going to use.

2 – are funds going to be a problem?

Plastics is the most expensive to start up. You can ease the cost by making your own molds, but you would be better at least starting off with a couple of commercially available aluminium molds of patterns that you use regularly. Cranks can be as cheap or expensive as you like, with tools ranging from box cutter, hacksaw, drill and sandpaper, through to band saw, drill press, belt sander, table saw.

3 – how much time do you have available?

If you can only sneak into the workshop for the odd 30 minutes, then cranks would be a better option, as plastics generally require more time to get a decent run going. Having said that, small runs using a microwave are doable in short times.

4 – what space do you have available to dedicate to production?

Plastics really require a dedicated space and ventilation is important. Cranks are going to create a lot of dust and mess. Both really require a workshop. I have done cranks on the kitchen table, but you better do the sanding and drilling operations outside. Cranks need paint too.

5 – what tools do you already possess?

If you already have a workshop, you may already be geared up for cranks, but you will definitely have to spend money to set up for plastics.

From the general nature of your question, I would advise reading and lots of it. There are also a lot of videos on Youtube that will give you a good idea of what is involved. Don’t get me wrong, I am not trying to discourage you, but you should be prepared. Instant results are unlikely as both disciplines have a learning curve. I wish you luck in what ever direction you choose.

Dave

[Fishing4SquidDuck]

yea im gonna do soft bait pouring first to set up. im trying to figure out what plastic to buy and also what to get to make my own molds. im not interested in pre-made molds at all. they are also quite expensive. if anyone has any suggestions on mold material or there favorite plastic please let me know.

[Vodkaman]

Plaster of Paris (PoP) is probably your best bet for a mold material. It is very cheap, makes good reproductions and is easy to work with. The skills that you learn with PoP will be transferrable should you decide to use a more expensive material like RTV (Room Temperature Vulcanizing rubber). Polyester resin is another alternative, cheaper than RTV.

PoP has a few draw backs: It has to be dried thoroughly and has to be sealed before it can be used, Whereas resin and RTV can be used soon after setting (although I would wait 24 hours)and require no seal.

Dave

[Jig Man]

Like Dave said only go for one at a time. I have been into plastic for a lot of years and have a bunch of molds that I have made and several that I have bought.

You can copy most anything, though if you try to sell something with a patent you'll likely find yourself in a big law suit. That being said I use Bondo from O'Reilly's to make my molds. I'll try to post some pics of what I do but some of my hosts can't post here.

Here are some of my Bondo molds.

I glue baits down in a pan. Spray everything with oil and pour in the bondo.

[Fishing4SquidDuck]

what about when your makeing worms dont they come out with a sick flat side? im thinking im gonna do spike-it plastic. what do you seal the pop with? may go rtv now.

[Jig Man]

what about when your makeing worms dont they come out with a sick flat side? im thinking im gonna do spike-it plastic. what do you seal the pop with? may go rtv now.

Yes they have a flat side. The fish don't care.

Seal POP with a 50/50 elmer's glue and water. Use 3 coats.