mold questions for redman

[CrappieHappy]

Doug, I think you need some with a deeper jaw to put the pressure in the center (under sprue)of the mold.

 

[Fatman]

It's what I got's!!!!!LOL I'm gonna have to take the mold with me to size a new pair. Either that or put the pliers holding the mold from the top right by the sprue hole and then pour.

 

[CrappieHappy]

I have seen em at walmart and harbor freight for 3-4 bucks

 

[Fatman]

Thanks, I'll have to stop by Wally world on my lunch break and take the mold with me.

 

[redear]

doug, the pressure from the pliers needs to be dead center of the mold with the tips of the jaws only, if it still rocks try a thinner wire hook, you might have to forget about the red ones. I have had gold and black chrome ones too that were extra fat in the wire because they had been double coated, one or two in a batch, they do the same thing. you need to put a thinner wire hook in there and see if it still rocks, that will tell us where the problem is, go to a size 4 hook. there are other possibilities for this problem but we gotta make sure it's not the hook first. the other causes could be that a pin is sticking out too far, which I doubt, or a ding or burr along the outside edge of a mold half caused by dropping it on a concrete floor, been there done that, but thats easily fixed. just remember you want the plier tips on the spot where the jighead is located in the mold. sometimes the outside edges of these molds is not totally flat like the center section is where the head cavity is, this is dure to the hand sanding method I use, if you put the pliers anywhere near the edge, as in clamping down on the edge with pressure, the mold halves will rock some, so the pliers must span the edge of the mold and only contact the center.

 

[redear]

I check for this rocking problem while making the molds by putting the halves together and holding it up to a light while looking for a crack of light between the halves, and trying to rock the halves back and forth by squeezing one side then the other, back and forth, you don't have to pour any heads to check for this, I have some molds that are perfectly flat and don't rock at all, and then I have some that do rock, but if ya know how to hold them they produce a perfect head providing you use a hook thats not too fat in the wire. all these molds rock when you have the little bulges caused by pressing a hook etc. but I'm pretty sure I sanded those out of yours.

 

[redear]

I just scrolled back and saw your photos doug, and you need another pair of channel locks. you need a pair that open up further and also one that has longer jaws so they will reach the center of the mold. the ones you have look like they have too short of jaws. and the problem with the red hooks also, they put shellac or something on there and alot of people have issues with them not letting the mold close all the way.

 

[Fatman]

Yeah I'm gonna take the mold to work with me tommorrow and stop at Wally world and Home Depot. Thanks for all the info!!!

 

[Fatman]

Well I needed some new channel locks anyways so I coughed up the $20 bucks and got these. I had the mold with me and held it up to the light nothing!!! These are the 12" and they open WIDE. I'll post another pic later with the mold in them.

 

[redear]

there ya go! now check the mold with the hook in there. I wanted to do something with the jigs today but decided to put a new serpentine belt on the car, and it was no fun. supposed to meet a guy tomorrow that I have tied a bunch of jigs for and he has a bunch of sheet lead 1/8 thick he says, so we are gonna trade, this guy and his dad fish for crappie with the pinkie hair jigs tipping them with a minnow, he and his dad are the most successful crappie fishermen I know, and they have caught some real jaw droppers.

 

[CrappieHappy]

Now your talking Doug....

 

[Fatman]

These are nice and I have other things I can use them for, I'll have to try posting the pics again tommorrow as Photo Bucket is being a PITA tonight

 

[redear]

yeah, those are much nicer than what I have.

 

[Fatman]

Lets see if I can get it to work tonight

Adjusted wide open

Okay you said centered on where the mold cavity is you got it, and they're not even adjusted wide open!!

 

[redear]

thats great! you are ready to try again. took a guy some jigs yesterday and he gave me about 60 pounds of lead, it's in sheet form 1/16" thick, taken down from an xray station. It needs to be cleaned up as it's got some sheetrock paper stuck to it, but it's real soft and should work well after being cleaned. Doug I really like those channel locks.

 

[Fatman]

With tax they were $19.63!!! and they're Vise Grip - guaranteed for life. They also have different sizes, I looked for the assorted 3 pack but they were out of them.

That's a great score on the lead!!!!!!!! Watch out for stink when you melt it down, if that paper had any glue on it, you'll probably end up with some smoke from it. I've had some of that type lead and it's really nice stuff!!!

 

[redear]

the guy I got the lead from has a custom made pinkie jighead mold that has never been poured, apparently he knew a machinist and had him do it. So the mold has just been sitting. He is wanting me to try it out, he doesn't pour or tie jigs himself he just uses the heck out of the hair jigs tipped with minnows. So I'm kinda excited about this. he has a buddy that has been tying his jigs on store bought roundheads, but he doesn't pour either, so we are planning on getting together and I'll get the mold and ring it out.

 

[Fatman]

Sweet!!!!!!!!! Is it a single or a bunch??? Hopefully you won't have any problems with sickles in it. Wonder if he wants to sell or just have you pour?? If you get a chance I'd like to see a pic of it. so basically your pinkie is more rounded than the redman mold?? right/wrong?? LOL

Talking with one of the guys here at work and one of the other guys ties jigs and flies and is a taxidermist!!!!!!!! Time to have a serious chat with him!!!!!!!LOL or trade like crazy.

Good luck with the pinkie pour!!!!!! Talk at ya!!

 

[redear]

Yeah, the mold is supposed to be a multi pour that was made on a blank do-it mold with a cnc milling machine, this is the impression I am getting. He offered to give it to me the other day, but I was so shocked that I didn't know what to say, but I don't think there will be any problem if I wanted to trade for it, or if he offers it to me for keeps. this guy is a super nice guy and like I said he relies on hair jigs and spider rigs alot for crappie, him and his dad are by far the most successful I know at catching sizable crappies, of course when you meet someone like this they tend to be kinda secretive because people are always following them around on the water, and trying to find out their fishing holes. the jigs he has been using are not nearly as nice looking as mine, but apparently every bit as effective, I think he is kinda excited to meet someone else besides his other buddy who can tie a good hair jig, there is just not that many people doing it. As soon as I get the mold I'll post a pic or two with CH's help, hopefully I can get up with him this week.

 

[redear]

this guy also gave me half of his dad's lead stash with his blessing, his dad also uses the hair jigs, but he only pours saltwater sinkers and such, so he is also liking the idea that I can make them hair jigs. Like I said they are super people, the father and son are inseparable and are fishing buddies all the way.