bf jig molds

[Parker21]

Well i have made two molds so far out of the rtv silicone and the stuff is working out great, alot better than the bondo and seems like the molds should last for awhile. I was able to get two molds out of 1 pound of silicone with some to spare.

I made a mold out of a 200g. drift tune and a 230g nagamasa.

Here's my progress so far.

[Parker21]

The biggest problem i'm having is trying to get the jigs to pour with a smooth finish, the surface of the jigs is coming out pitted. I have tried pouring slow and fast and i seem to come out with the same results. I have also tried diffrent lead mixtures, pure lead and tire weights. I would like to get a perfect finish but so far am happy with the result and i know they will catch fish.

[Jiggin Junkie]

They look pretty darned awesome, let me know if you need a field tester?

[Supafly]

Looking good! Mind if I bum a couple

[clt_capt]

Are you pouring with a ladle, or a bottom pouring pot? You could try reducing the temp just slightly on your lead.

are you seeing better results with the first pours? If so let your molds cool more before the next pour...

[stressrelief 28.5]

If you have a palm sander try to vibarate the air bubbles out of the molds after pouring. Will need to do this asap after pouring. It may help wont hurt to try.

[Parker21]

I am using a laddle to pour the jigs. The mold came out perfectly smooth but i know there are some bubbles inside of it, mabey there are effecting it so the lead is cooling uneven.

Thanks for the help.

[mythosbeer]

Nice! I need to try this. Jigs get expensive.

[ElMar2530]

Nice, how about a little info on how the molds went together.

They look nice, I find that the finish gets better as the mold heats up, maybe the RTV isn't allowing that to happen.

Try putting them on a wire wheel. You end up with a hammerer type finish.

You could always wetsand them but I doubt its worth it, a little Krylon and a clear coat and you are good as gold.

[Parker21]

I didn't get any pic's of the mold making but what i did was I got a piece of azek trim board( this is a plasic product that i use deck trim) I traced the jig out on the azek and then cut out the jig outline with a jig saw, making sure to make it a little bigger than the jig.I didn't cut out where the wire comes out the jig. I then layed the jig over cut out and dremeled out where the wire was till i could get the jig to sit half way below the surface of the azek. I then turned the whole thing over and poured hot wax around the edges of the jig, this holds the jig and fills the gaps between the jig and the azek. I turned it right side up again and used a razor blade to trim the wax flat with the surface of the azek. i cleaned the jig of any wax. I used a 3/8" drill bit and drilled a few holes in the azek about 1/4" deep so the mold would have some pins to line up the two molds later.I built sides up around the azek like a box. I then mixed up some rtv silicone and gave the mold a good spray of wd40 so the rvt wouldn't stick to anything, then i poured the mold.

After the first pour cured i pull it out of box and remove the jig I clean the jig and place it back in the mold i just poured. Now i build sides around the mold then mix the rtv, spray the wd40 and pour. When that cures you should be able to sperate everything and you have your mold. All you have to do is cut out a spout in the mold with a razor blade so you have a place to pour the lead.

The mold is very soft so i use a piece of wood on both sides of the mold and then put it in a vise for pouring. After i poured a jig i make surethe mold has time to cool down before the next pour. Also i used american wire 500# ss coil wire for the through wire.

I hope that you guy's can under stand what i did with out any pic's, I will be glad to answer any questions.