iboothroyd94 Posted January 8, 2022 Report Share Posted January 8, 2022 I’ve been making hard baits and just purchasing soft plastic tails (Sherpa replacements) for them but am looking to make my own tails going forward (using dead on) I have the dead on featherlight and a wooden prototype tail ready to be molded but can’t seem to find any information for making a mold for soft tails - is there an easier way to mold it other than going through the same process as molding a full bait? i.e. making a 2 piece using clay and silicone If not, is there anywhere that sells larger replacement tails in bulk? I like the illude Sherpa tails but 3 for $10 is getting a bit expensive and I’d like to produce my own tails if possible. Thanks in Advance -Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chefchris Posted January 8, 2022 Report Share Posted January 8, 2022 1 hour ago, iboothroyd94 said: I’ve been making hard baits and just purchasing soft plastic tails (Sherpa replacements) for them but am looking to make my own tails going forward (using dead on) I have the dead on featherlight and a wooden prototype tail ready to be molded but can’t seem to find any information for making a mold for soft tails - is there an easier way to mold it other than going through the same process as molding a full bait? i.e. making a 2 piece using clay and silicone If not, is there anywhere that sells larger replacement tails in bulk? I like the illude Sherpa tails but 3 for $10 is getting a bit expensive and I’d like to produce my own tails if possible. Thanks in Advance -Ian the easiest way ive ever seen was someone was pouring the plastic in a sheet tray to the desired thickness and then just cutting them out by tracing the master, i mean you wont get fancy scales or anything but if you want a cheap tail and want to test materials i dont think it gets easier than that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iboothroyd94 Posted January 9, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2022 18 hours ago, chefchris said: the easiest way ive ever seen was someone was pouring the plastic in a sheet tray to the desired thickness and then just cutting them out by tracing the master, i mean you wont get fancy scales or anything but if you want a cheap tail and want to test materials i dont think it gets easier than that Thanks man, not a bad idea at all. I suppose with an exacto knife and a little patience it (hopefully) wouldn’t be too difficult to carve some small grooves too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Socalswimbait Posted January 10, 2022 Report Share Posted January 10, 2022 Just make a 1 piece mold. Glue down master from side that goes in back of bait. I use straws as pour hole. Build small box around it and pour mold material. Cut it out from pour hole down sides a bit. Done deal HandCraftedLureCo, iboothroyd94, Mitchduh and 1 other 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
80HD_brain Posted September 16, 2023 Report Share Posted September 16, 2023 On 1/9/2022 at 5:56 PM, Socalswimbait said: Just make a 1 piece mold. Glue down master from side that goes in back of bait. I use straws as pour hole. Build small box around it and pour mold material. Cut it out from pour hole down sides a bit. Done deal What material are you using for the tails? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flaswimbaiter Posted September 16, 2023 Report Share Posted September 16, 2023 I carve a master out of wood and make it two piece silicone mold. Then I use Vaseline as a mold release and silicone to actually make the tails. I have four different sizes and cut them down for each unique bait. If you decide to use this method, make sure to seal the wood with polyurethane, are super glue or clearcoat, it will make the process easier. 80HD_brain 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Socalswimbait Posted September 17, 2023 Report Share Posted September 17, 2023 On 9/15/2023 at 7:24 PM, 80HD_brain said: What material are you using for the tails? Dead on plastisol. I use the craw/tube type and add hardener to get the desired firmness. 80HD_brain 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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