JKLym Posted January 24, 2020 Report Share Posted January 24, 2020 I am very new to Swimbait Underground and swimbait making in general, and was wondering if anybody could lend some tips on casting resin baits. I have Alumalite high strength 2 for the mold and am familiar with Rtv silicone and was wondering if anybody could point me in the right direction for a mixture of micro balloons to resin and where to pour the lead. Thanks, John danthefisherman and Mason 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LUV-2-CATCH'EM Posted January 24, 2020 Report Share Posted January 24, 2020 Nice job! Looks good man! Wish I could help but I don't know anything bout resin... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TootsMalone Posted January 24, 2020 Report Share Posted January 24, 2020 I've made a few glide baits now but only one of them out of resin. From what i've tested, 9% MB will get you real close to a usable buoyancy. So if your mixing a total of 48g resin (both A and B, ) add 4.32g of MB. I'm sure there's better mixes out there and it isnt exactly what i do but it's where i started. As for weight, you want both sections to sink at an equal rate, when they are separated from each other. i try to keep a majority of the weight as close to the joint as possible while still letting both halves sink level. There are others here with a whole lot more experience on this subject so maybe they will chime in but this is what I've gathered so far. Good luck and keep up the good work! Your'e off to a great start. DoomDiver 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danthefisherman Posted January 24, 2020 Report Share Posted January 24, 2020 I've been working with resin baits for a good number of years now. Not am expert yet by any means, but at least I've learned a lot from my mistakes haha In the past I have always measured my resin/microballoon ratios by volume, but I've been wanting to transition to weight ratios as volume doesn't take into account how "packed in" the materials are into your measuring device. That said, I have found that a good ratio for glides is anywhere between 50% and 100% microballons by volume. So say you mix 1oz Part A to 1oz Part B: a 100% ratio by volume would call for 2oz microballons (working with fluid ounces). I think Alumilite mentions somewhere in their manual that 100% microballons by volume produces a resin with the buoyancy of wood. Depending on the size of the bait, I tend to stick with 100% microballons as it allows me to add more ballast weight for stability while still achieving the same sink rate. If you're bait is smaller and has thin features, I'd decrease amount of microballons added as to not decrease the strength of the material too much. As far as ballast placement goes, a lot of it you'll have to figure out by trial and error. Placing lead can tie a lot into joint play and where you're hardware is going to be located. I've found that the more lead you place near the joint, the easier the bait cuts side to side especially on a steady retrieve. If all your weight is in the middle, however, the bait will act like a teeter totter and nod up and down on the pause...so adding weight near the ends is important to stabilize it. At the end of the day, it's all about finding that perfect balance. The good thing with resin baits is that you get as many chances as you want (or your wallet allows haha ) That's all I can think to share now. The bait looks awesome by the way... you definitely have the carving portion of bait building down pat. Happy building and keep it up! Dan DoomDiver, El_Weruso and Grizzn n bassin 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rogervang Posted January 24, 2020 Report Share Posted January 24, 2020 Like @danthefisherman I too use to measure by volume. I later on got a scale and measure what the 100% volume of microballoon were and recorded that into my ingredient book haha it works and if I did wanted something less buoyant I'll reduce the MB by gram depending on what the application is, if that makes any sense. A scale would be you best friend when messing with mix ratios. Theres some good options here on ballast placement but really every bait is weighted different. What works for someone is totally different to another. Ballast placement differ from shape and form of the bait (tall, short, stubby, long, single joint, multi joint, ect.) Mess around with the weight placement and you'll find what works for you. If your drilling your holes, make sure you drill them as straight as possible. Drawing a guide line helps a lot. Balance is key. Have fun doing it and dont get too fustraighted like us all hahaha By the way, that's an awesome looking bait you got there. Cant wait to see how it's going to look once it finish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKLym Posted January 24, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2020 thanks to everyone for the advice, i am happy i started this project now since ill have the rest of the winter to really dial in the action. i started off painting blanks like Jointed claws etc and am defiantly loving the resin baits. I think a dynamite color for that would be this golden shiner pattern that i have done a few times the bass seem to love it. azsouth, Nate1302 and TootsMalone 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKLym Posted January 30, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2020 I finished the mold it turned out pretty good but having a tough time figuring out how to balance it for a wide glide, I managed to get it weighted to have a tight swim but more looking for a wide glide. FullSizeRender.mov porkmeatballs 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porkmeatballs Posted January 30, 2020 Report Share Posted January 30, 2020 Looks awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JCswimbaits Posted January 30, 2020 Report Share Posted January 30, 2020 Looks really good, adding a broad tail should create more surface space as it cuts side to side through the water and push it further side to side. Generally a longer glide will have a wider swim. Also if there is a lot of articulation in the joint that can contribute to a narrower and harder cutting action, you may want to try less play in the joint to achieve a wider swim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKLym Posted January 31, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2020 I ended up totally changing the ratio and went to a 5% mb and ended up with a sweet glide IMG_4200.MP4 Noreaster603 and TootsMalone 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SDBasser Posted February 7, 2020 Report Share Posted February 7, 2020 that looks sweat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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