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Multi Cavity triple laminate swimbait

PostPosted: Fri Oct 12, 2018 1:43 pm
by SeanSieg
I am new to the forum but have been reading old posts for a while and learning quite a bit. First time caller, long time listener.

After a lot of trial and error (and Alumilite product$), I have a line through swim bait mold made in High Strength 3 that has a swimming action I am very pleased with. Here are the pictures of the current project as well as the first generation baits that I am trying to improve.

https://seansiegfried.smugmug.com/Swimbait-designs/

I would like a version of this bait with a split belly to allow me to fish these baits on a weighted swim bait or EWG hook. I also made the original out of wood and it shows some texture. The video of the multi cavity soft jerk bait also gave me the idea to make the bait as a triple laminate. A dark back and pearl belly with an injected bait would look incredible.

So I have 3 questions about that before I buy some Vac-50 and try to elevate my skills further.

1 - all the videos I've watched it looks like the baits are on their side. To laminate a swim bait it would have to stand up. Has anyone tried that with a bait this big? Or a bait with a split belly?

2 - can I hand pour the back and have it stay in place or does that only work with the belly? If not I have some alumidust and can experiment with options more "gravity friendly" for the top cavity but that would add a step in the production.

3 - When I make multiple models from RC-3 when the original was wood I want to remove any texture marks. Can you shellac the RC-3 or coat it with something after sanding to really make it smooth?

Please feel free to answer any or all of the 3 specific questions, or even point out some pitfalls I have not thought of. Seeing the bait swim as I imagined it has me excited to take this to a whole new level.

Thanks
Sean

Re: Multi Cavity triple laminate swimbait

PostPosted: Sat Oct 13, 2018 6:35 am
by dahlberg
Yes,, you can pour with the mold in literally any position as long as the hot plastic doesn't run out.
Not sure I understand question 2.
You can use laquer, epoxy, or multiple coats of almost any finish combined with fine abrasives to achieve a smooth finish. If you mix a high ratio of micro balloons with your resin it makes sanding easier, and with a few coats of rattle can laquer or dip of alumilite UV get a pretty glassy finish.
best
L

Re: Multi Cavity triple laminate swimbait

PostPosted: Sat Oct 13, 2018 8:47 am
by SeanSieg
Thanks Larry.

Question 2 was about hand pouring a laminate in both halves of the mold before injecting. One side will be sitting just like it was poured, with the plastic being held by gravity. The other side would have to be flipped upside down when the 2 piece mold was put back together. I didn’t know if here were any tricks that could keep the plastic in place to allow this to happen. I may try letting it set a little but still being sticky to the touch. But I’m guessing most of the time it will either fall out of place or the hot plastic won’t bond correctly to the semi cooled plastic.

I haven’t made a 2 piece yet so if the answer is to dust the mold with alimidust prior to injection I may just build the mold with the models laying on their sides. But I really like the looks of the laminate baits. That’s why I wanted to build the mold with the baits standing up. So I could laminate the top and bottom.

I hope this makes sense.

Re: Multi Cavity triple laminate swimbait

PostPosted: Sun Oct 14, 2018 6:53 am
by dahlberg
Try letting the material cool enough to be stable, then pour very hot plastisol over it. I don't think you will have any problems with it bonding.
good luck
L

Re: Multi Cavity triple laminate swimbait

PostPosted: Mon Oct 15, 2018 6:09 am
by RhettWheeler
Hey I like your bait
Just my two cents
I think you could probably get away with setting that mold up to be a top pour and have much more control over the laminating

I find that if I want to layer plastics top pour is the easiest way to do it- less fuss over injectors and whatnot - for me if I’m pouring just one bait at a time- top pour is the way to go.