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