All you lure makers out there I need your help

[SERprise]

I am in the Navy stationed here in Guam and I am trying to make my own lures just for fun and because its very rewarding to catch a fish and have pride in a lure you made yourself plus it can be cheaper after you get all the supplies to do it. I have RTV silicone moldmaking rubber and clear polyurethane casting resin. I have made some designs out of wax then poured the mold the only problem I have is I can't figure out a way to make the lead inserts centered and keep from getting the resin in the leader tube when pouring the resin in the mold. How do you guys do it if you don't mind me asking? I did a lot of searching and can't come up with anything.
Thanks!
-Eric

[Patudo]

A lot of these things you'll figure out with a little experience and ingenuity - don't worry about it.

To prevent resin from entering the tube when you make the pour, you can stop up the end of the leader tube with blu-tack.

[SERprise]

A lot of these things you'll figure out with a little experience and ingenuity - don't worry about it.

To prevent resin from entering the tube when you make the pour, you can stop up the end of the leader tube with blu-tack.

good idea with the leader tube now if I could just find a good way to get it nice and centered I'd be golden.

[Patudo]

Are you casting your own lead inserts, Eric?

[SERprise]

actually that was another issue I would like to but don't really know how. I was just buying lead sinkers and carving them. Kinda a waste but I don't know any better.

[SERprise]

To be honest I really have no clue what I am doing but its still fun trying.

[SERprise]

any tips on making the lead inserts and keeping them centered?

[tabasco]

a simple way to keep your brass tube clear of resin is to put some candle wax in it--just scape the tube over a cheap candle. keep a solid piece of large wire to clear it out after casting. to center the insert you need to mold in a 'rest' for the brass tube in the bottom of the mold and a top piece with hole to cover the mold.

[NightHeron]

as far as inserts go use egg sinkers easiest to obtain there probly. use teflon solid stick for lure tube pull out when resin hardens. that way no tube needed. check armory or machine shop on base for teflon. one eighth inch o.d. should be about right. if you can show me a picture of your mold I'll help you with centering.

[Patudo]

The teflon stick idea is great - I use something similar when making my own baits but copper or brass leader tube is better if you're gonna be running the lure with cable leader. If your mould has enough rubber when you take a mould off original lure (an inch or so above the lure should do it) it should hold the leader tube more or less center; then you should be able to get it center by rotating the tube slightly.