Lead inserts

[clt_capt]

clt_cap

Does your epoxy resin yellow from U.V. or stay fairly clear. You are right, the fumes are awful with the p.resin.

I normally use Polyester (Silmar41) for lures. Yes the styrene fumes are bad. Most of the casting type Epoxies are gonna yellow some - especially the cheaper ones...

Frankly I can get 5 gallons of Silmar for what 1 gallon of clear casting epoxy runs...

For a 1 part mold I prefer the softer Silicone... Use a piece of PVC pipe as a form - then you can carefully slit the side or sides of the mold as necessary to release the lure...

Put the mold back in the PVC and it will close up the slits...

[El Capo]

I have the lamps about a foot away.

Do you mean preheat the resin with the catalyst mixed in or before the cat. is added.

The wrinkles are on all sides. The wrinkles were there before and after trying to used heat lamps.

I am using the "clear" by cast-n-craft. I have silmar 41 coming and the rtv red silicone coming from uscomposites.

Thanks for your help. I will try the source for the brass.

How many watts are the lamps is my next question?

I preheat it all before catalyst.The reason is that the bubbles rise very easily.Silmar 41 is the best I have used.I get a wrinkle here and there don't get me wrong,but for the most part it only takes me about 5 minutes to go from mold to polished head.

The trick to the drill press sanding/polishing is a drill press vise and a precision bearing that fits the size tubing you are using.Make sure you leave enough tubing sticking out of both ends and you will be fine.

I hope this helps you get the results you are looking for.

[panhandle]

i tried wet sanding 220, 320,400,600,1500 and they are still a little dull. I am thinking maybe i did not get all of the soft layer off.

They are supper clear when they come out of the mold just with squiggles.

I'll keep at it.

[clt_capt]

If they are smooth when you get done with 1500, then you are in great shape. Next you will need a buffer - a bench grinder fitted with polishing wheels will do the trick. I like to use the white stick polish, but the red rouge also seems to work pretty well - either will put a shine on them

[panhandle]

yes, they are very smooth. I do have a bench grinder so i'll have to pick up the buffing wheel and sticks. I thought I was doing something wrong. Thank You

I tried using the plastic tubing on my first batch. I inserted a brass rod through the plastic and attached it to the drill. The chuck was over the plastic and tube. The spinning caused the plastic tubing to release from the resin. When i removed the lure from the press the plastic tube came out. If plastic is used, I wondered if scuffing it up would help the bond?


i have to admit that this is really addictive. i can't wait to catch a fish on one of my lures. It will be so gratifying.

[El Capo]

yes, they are very smooth. I do have a bench grinder so i'll have to pick up the buffing wheel and sticks. I thought I was doing something wrong. Thank You

I tried using the plastic tubing on my first batch. I inserted a brass rod through the plastic and attached it to the drill. The chuck was over the plastic and tube. The spinning caused the plastic tubing to release from the resin. When i removed the lure from the press the plastic tube came out. If plastic is used, I wondered if scuffing it up would help the bond?


i have to admit that this is really addictive. i can't wait to catch a fish on one of my lures. It will be so gratifying.

Just get some novus plastic polish from tap plastics and get back to me.The shit works wonders.