Making a Silicon Mold, Cheapest and Fastest Mold Copy

[@EngineeredAngler]

So I confused everyone with my volume calculation and that's because the dimensions I gave were nonsense. I was reading from half of a broken ruler so everything was off. I corrected it immediately before I calculated the volume but forgot to correct it on video. The actual measurements were 96mm X 47mm X 10.25mm Sorry about that folks.

[@Losantiville]

You can use dry rice to measure volume. My math is horrendous!

[@leehowell4258]

Great video! I like how you demonstrated the thoroughness of applying the vaseline to the mold and lure. You should do a video on your process of making multiples efficiently!

[@wasntPete]

Very informative video, interesting new silicon thanks for sharing

[@EngineeredAngler]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@markinnis8404]

I am a fly tier and have been tying for 47 years. But, when I come across these videos of E. A. Angler, I can not stop watching till the end. I have never made a lure like this in my life, but I am mesmerized by the process. Great videos!

[@EngineeredAngler]

Wow, thanks!

[@pmpkmc]

Thanks Franco. This is prefect timing for me to restock on some silicone in preparation of the spring run, so I'll give this one a try.

[@jamescodling8641]

Excellent instructions and very clear guidelines. What a great resource. Thanks buddy

[@EngineeredAngler]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jessec8562]

Good wisdom in doing a flash coating of the bait first before the main pour.

[@gordoncouger9648]

Thanks for bringing my attention to the less expensive silicon molding material, It would help if you had a level place to make molds. A three-legged platform with a bulls-eye level and two of its three legs adjustable screws so you can level it. A three-legged table is always stable and much easier to level than one with four points of support.

[@AceRizzle18]

I teach 7th grade science in California. Your use of science combined with my passion of fishing is so cool! Thanks for creating these fascinating videos. Keep it up.

[@EngineeredAngler]

Thank you.

[@secretbassrigs]

very informative episode. thanks!

[@Howie875]

Once again Franco, a very informative video. Although I actually want to make my lures out of wood, I recently have taken up jewelry making, and I am going to use this process to make a mold of a small starfish so I can make wax copy for a lost wax casting in silver for my wife. Enjoy both your scientific and artist approach to all your projects!

[@EngineeredAngler]

Glad you got something out of the video.

[@jackrussell3104]

To revisit the jointed lure subject you could always heat and bend the lexan lip for proof of concept

[@EngineeredAngler]

yes...but can be tricky not to put a twist in it.

[@billwayne397]

As a lure tinkerer I'm always looking forward to your next video. Any chance you could do a clip on issues and solutions you've come across while molding with silicone? I recently tried duplicating a soft plastic swimbait and the silicone didn't set around the bait.

[@secretbassrigs]

sometimes its the from residue around on the master. sometimes there is a reaction from the type of silicone. some epoxies don't cure with platinum silicone. sometimes its the mold release. theres other channels that focus on making silicone molds for lures,. just have to do the homework.

[@secretbassrigs]

Robert Talone is really good! doesn't do lures, Burt he's a retired professional. great stuff on his channel, always using silicone

[@josephhannigan7624]

Just found your channel, good stuff! I’ve learned so much in the past week from watching. Looking forward to more saltwater striper stuff.

[@EngineeredAngler]

So glad you found the channel. And thanks for the feedback.

[@davidschofield9620]

Great video can u make soft plastic eel bodys from a soft plastic mold ?

[@tedmemo9625]

Franko thanks for the video. I will be getting this from your site. Much cheaper than any other I have seen. 👍

[@EngineeredAngler]

Glad to help

[@BrainClaud]

Let me say two words: THANK YOU

[@PeterPan-vl7bu]

You said seven🤪

[@pamwaldron3504]

I know you can stiffen up Silicone caulk with cornstarch for mold making. It becomes more clay-like similar to Sugru mending putty (the homemade stuff is called Oogoo) The amount of cornstarch added determines how thick or pourable the raw silicone is and how stiff or flexible the resulting silicone is for working product is when cured. If you're up for experimenting, maybe try mixing in some cornstarch to your Granny's silicone to stiffen up your mold? It probably won't take much to give your molds some oomph, (so they're less floppy) but it may make pouring a little fiddly. It might become more like a thicker batter instead of the thin pour you had.

[@toolbox0001]

Awesome videos mate! I didnt loose concentration from start to finish. All the best from NZ✌️

[@EngineeredAngler]

Thanks

[@onthagrind89]

Great video EA! You should try ballasting with no weight only resing+microballoons and resin without MBs.

[@EngineeredAngler]

Not enough difference in the densities to get the performance in the lure I'm looking for.

[@regio81]

very informative video bud, ive looked through your videos and have seen a few crappie jigs but no crappie soft plastic diy do you have any , do you make your own crappie lures? would like to see how you make them. stay safe and thank you.

[@billfranklin5064]

So this is a couple months old now but wonder why you changed silicon for you mold material? I have one I use and was thinking of trying the one you mentioned for the cost savings. I enjoy your videos and often watch them over and over several months apart. Thanks

[@EngineeredAngler]

I'm always experimenting and trying new products...keeps things interesting.

[@Jollyboysbass]

Brilliant video, full of creative ideas and well executed…thanks very much! I love the wire harness, is there a video on how to construct that 🎣 🍀

[@EngineeredAngler]

Thank you, and yes I have a playlist on the subject: kzbin.info/aero/PLEVBv_zywucR1daeR5wwkcZeqU-GomrKd

[@Baroque_Back_Mountain]

I bought some Granny Doreen, and used it to make a softer tabletop, for my vacuum casting machine investment table, so it would seal and pull a better vacuum….It’s nice and soft, for that application….but it IS really soft. It is certainly affordable at its price/volume ratio. I will certainly find other uses for it, in my shop.

[@EngineeredAngler]

Nice idea

[@BOSN_BAITS]

Well I was about to order more silicone so perfect timing can’t wait for next video. And your legos are awesome but check out the let’s resin expandable mold housing that works amazing

[@robertfirasek5296]

Very cool video, I have been working on my first lure, having a hard time carving the master. I keep breaking it and starting over, I am trying to make a long legged frog with big feet, I might be trying to make it to detailed, I will definitely try your new silicone suggestion. Keep up the good videos

[@EngineeredAngler]

Good luck!

[@WillyK51]

To eliminate Boubles, whithout a vacum chamber(If you have one,OK) is to use a old/new pressure cooking pot and add a bicicle tire valve in the exaust stem hole, and put a pressure gauge in the safety valve hole. Place the still liquid state mould and add pressure, About 25 PSI is safe. Google up dental pressure pots to get the idea

[@EngineeredAngler]

That is a slightly sketchy way of making a pressure pot. Cooking pots generally only operate at about one atmosphere (about 15psi) They will hold up with 25psi but I would not recommend it. Not only is it not very safe but it's not that affective since you're only reducing the bubble size by just a bit more than half. A cheap pressure pot, that will take 50psi easily, would do you better. Nice job figuring out how to make the conversion though. I do like to upcycle something old. Thank you for sharing.

[@stripermanly]

Nice review.

[@EngineeredAngler]

Thanks!

[@davestrand5431]

I made a mold using the same but it seems tacky after a full day of setting. Used exactly same amount of both. What went wrong? Also what did you use to clean the Vaseline off the mold? Thanks, love your videos.

[@EngineeredAngler]

If it stayed tacky it probably wasn't mixed well enough or you got a bad batch. I clean the mold up with alcohol.

[@davestrand5431]

@@EngineeredAngler do I have to redo or can I try using it?

[@mipa6028]

Great video! Thanks! Would you ever consider making an actual lure out of silicone instead of soft-plastic?

[@EngineeredAngler]

yes...for the elastic properties but it would be some expensive soft plastic lures.

[@striperhunter-ic2wt]

Nice video today,

[@EngineeredAngler]

Thanks!

[@FreedomFishing]

Great video Franco! I enjoyed every tip, including making sure the form is level. Most important part! I've found that the seepage through legos is inevitable if using off-brand cheap legos. Have you tried the BBDINO 30A Silicone? It's what I have used for 2 piece injection molds so far. Very durable, some stretch, and sometimes goes on sale for 25 to 35 for 2.5 lbs total. Also says it holds up to temperatures of 450 degrees. I've shot 375 degrees through the material multiple times with no issue.

[@EngineeredAngler]

These were legit Legos just didn't press them together. I'll check out the BBDINO

[@Tam58851520]

I was thinking of using Alumilite's clear casting resin to make a lure with holographic foil on the center. I think you could still paint parts to finish it. Any thoughts or suggestions? Thanks I truly enjoy your channes, and the infor presented.

[@EngineeredAngler]

Yes I have done it....you can too

[@Tam58851520]

@EngineeredAngler Thanjs, is there a video?

[@ncoutdooradventures6148]

Thanks so much for the explanation of the shore numbers! Is there somewhere we can get a chart like that? And,, is your resin choice, and polyfill, in your Amazon store as well? What about the UV resin, is it linked too?

[@EngineeredAngler]

Yes I try to keep good links to everything in the Amazon store.

[@willm9868]

Franco, Learning great deals from your videos. I’d love to see that pro tip you talked about in a mold making video from 9 mo ago! Additionally, I’m experiencing a ton of cure inhibition with Let’s Resin silicone while using automotive primers and minwax polycrylic as master sealers. Am I missing something important to achieve a good finish product?

[@EngineeredAngler]

What is not curing, resin or silicon?

[@willm9868]

@@EngineeredAngler let’s resin platinum cure silicone. 30a to be specific! 😁

[@EngineeredAngler]

Sorry for the late reply, I would just switch to tin cure silicon. I have never had issues with it setting. The platinum cure is finnicky and I have had issues with it staying tacky for days.

[@alandarkam2993]

Thanks for the video and for sharing the silicon brand,etc... Just be careful with Platinum Silicon and items/object with sulfur, I had some trouble with silicon who not well cure while using some model of Plastiline, I also found that one of my mold made with Platinum Silicon is already good to change, compared to those with tin cure silicon... but it's maybe due to the brand or I also found that some Polyurethan resin are a bit more "aggresive" compared to some other... (I always put some talcum powder or sometimes PTFE spray inside)

[@EngineeredAngler]

Good points.

[@hookreelfishing]

Thanks for this video!! I'm so gonna drop the hammer on my first hard bait now.

[@EngineeredAngler]

Good luck!

[@rider660r]

I been thinking of making copies of my most productive lure and I only have 1 of them (I also have no idea where I bought it years ago or who makes it...think they may be cheap chinese) and also painting them other colors that works great on other lures. That silicone was 5A right? It seems a little flimsy,would 15A be to much or would 10A be best for that exact mold...as the lure I have is an almost copy of that one in your vid.

[@EngineeredAngler]

go with a A25 if you want a mold with a bit of body to it.

[@rider660r]

@@EngineeredAngler Will do,thanks

[@Senkomaniac]

Hi Franco. Just a question on resin lures. What primer is the best to apply before painting? I tried Rustoleum white primer+paint but it seems that the primer does not etch into the resin and that causes my paint and clear coat to flake off very easy. Thank you.

[@EngineeredAngler]

I usually just sand and clean the casting and go straight into airbrush paints. But if you don't give the resin a few days to cure it won't accept paint well. I usually bake the castings at 150 deg. F for an hour or two to hurry the process. Otherwise I let it cure for at least a week. But I have used Bin or Killz as a primer with good results.

[@Senkomaniac]

@@EngineeredAngler thank you very much. I will try that. Have you seen the latest trend where some glidebait builders are paint that they bake into the resin instead of having to use an epoxy clear coat? Any idea what type of paints that would be? Maybe paints used for ceramics or glassware?

[@basspro009]

Do you have another video walking thru your measurements to get volume? I feel like I missed something. I head 1.6x47x196 which I got 14739.2 cubic MM. Divide that by 1000 got me 14.739 CC or 14.739 ML.

[@EngineeredAngler]

Oh man I forgot to correct the video! I misread the ruler in the first take. I caught the mistake and calculated with the correct numbers but forgot to reshoot the measurements. I'll post the correct measurements in a pinned comment soon. So sorry to confuse folks.

[@EngineeredAngler]

So I confused everyone with my volume calculation and that's because the dimensions I gave were nonsense. I was reading from half of a broken ruler so everything was off. I corrected it immediately before I calculated the volume but forgot to correct it on video. The actual measurements were 96mm X 47mm X 10.25mm Sorry about that.

[@squirrel_choker1623]

Damn, currently unavailable. Great video.

[@dougsaroma]

I've been thinking lately that I would like to sculpt my own designs for soft plastic lures and mold them. Back in the day I had an acrylic worm mold, one-sided, that I bought somewhere. Is silicone used for soft plastic baits these days, or do you really need something harder?

[@Donuts_random_stuff]

Can you please make a lure with tools basically everyone has, I can’t afford some expensive or very specific tools

[@EngineeredAngler]

This might help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qanIg6lqndajhdk

[@caliyak_fishing]

for a person just beginning, would polyurethane be sufficient to seal a wood lure?

[@EngineeredAngler]

yes...use what you have. Better to get it done and learn as you go.

[@clintfulbright1596]

I got some similar silicone to make a mold of plastic baits... it reacted with the plastic and turned to goo. It was platinum cure, 30A off amazon. I have used the Alumilite 20a stuff from Hobby lobby before and it worked fine, it was also platinum cure. Any recommendation? Should I just order Tin cure?

[@EngineeredAngler]

Go with tin cure that's what I like to use. The only reason I've been using platinum cure is that I have been finding it at better prices. But I still think its a bit more fussy than the tin cure.

[@slingerbaits4199]

Is there an additive to add to the silicone lure mold mix to make it alittle more firm

[@EngineeredAngler]

No you just need to by a more firm silicon.

[@staalburger9811]

Simpler is always better. Getting too technical gets everyone confused. You're an Acclaimed "engineer", and you use a broken ruler? But I do like your videos.

[@EngineeredAngler]

Yes...I use a broken ruler😊

[@johneasler9967]

You're an artist! Always enjoy your videos. Can we get an update on how it's been going with Alumina?

[@EngineeredAngler]

Coming soon!

[@Drundel]

Ever casted clear lures? I was thinking about trying one for tuna with foil/glitter/glow in clear epoxy.

[@EngineeredAngler]

Yes I have

[@Drundel]

@@EngineeredAngler How'd it turn out? Is there a video of it? I looked, but won't swear I didn't miss one.

[@lakemonsterlures]

Curious what “category” do you list your videos as? Are they “how to & style?”

[@EngineeredAngler]

Yes...couldn't find a better fit. They should have a "how to & maker".

[@lakemonsterlures]

@@EngineeredAngler thank you! That’s what I had been listing my videos as. But it felt a bit off when selecting “style.” Haha 😂

[@Outerrythem]

I find that I get a lot of small bubbles when casting the polyurethane. Do you use a vacuum chamber to remove air bubbles prior to pouring? I just purchased a vacuum chamber, however I am yet to use it and I am wondering if there is any point worrying about small air bubbles as any exterior small bubble holes will be filled with the layers of epoxy.

[@EngineeredAngler]

The quick-set casting resin sets too fast to vacuum. Be sure your mold is well vented. Yes I have to live with some small bubbles on top...it's not too bad.

[@Outerrythem]

@@EngineeredAngler Thank you for your reply, that makes sense. On a semi-related note, would you or any of your viewers know whether a vacuum chamber would destroy the microspheres?

[@mikehodges802]

Do you ever use an open pour mold? I'm looking at creating my own paddle tail grub mold at some point as my first ever attempt. I use them quite a bit on spinners and they are getting more and more expensive. Any tips, especially visual, would be appreciated. Thanks

[@larrydonovan4052]

What molding clay do you use, and where do you get it?

[@EngineeredAngler]

you can find them on my Amazon store: www.amazon.com/shop/engineeredanglerlures

[@edboehl6186]

Where did you get your SUPPLIES?

[@EngineeredAngler]

There are links to just about everything I use in my Amazon store.

[@attila535]

I wonder if plaster could be used forl ure mold making? I'm only asking, because plaster is cheaper per kg where I live, than silicone.

[@lakemonsterlures]

Yeah, POP molds work, just have to make sure to put some sort of mold release (Vaseline).

[@EngineeredAngler]

Only if the shape of the lure has no complex shapes that need the flex of the silicon. The mold I made here could be done in plaster or any other hard material. Just need to use a good mold release.

[@michaelross5674]

What's the micro powder for??? I'm trying to learn how to make a mold..so I don't have to buy them

[@EngineeredAngler]

You should watch my video on casting lures

[@EngineeredAngler]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mIqrfHeaZZumY9U

[@michaelross5674]

@@EngineeredAngler thanks that helped

[@Raivoization]

Can I mold crank bib some how? Thx

[@EngineeredAngler]

Sure...but its a good idea to have the bib be a little thicker than your typical acrylic dive bib since the resin is not quite as strong.

[@davehall3475]

Cant find that silicone anywhere

[@markusfuchs4467]

Hello I also pour, a bait like you only I use wax-based release agent so that the molds last a lot longer Unfortunately, I do not know if it exists in the USA as well. Greetings from Germany

[@EngineeredAngler]

That is a good technique but I have had some bad luck with the mold release agent messing with my final finish...I guess I didn't clean well enough.

[@markusfuchs4467]

@@EngineeredAngler Hello I hang the poured baits for 30 min in the oven at 80 degrees Celcius and before painting I wipe them with acetone so I never had problems. Keep up the good work I love your videos

[@JB31278]

Ok now how would you be able to cast this to an aluminum master mold?

[@EngineeredAngler]

3D scan to a CNC machine to shape the mold....a bit beyond what I have the equipment to do.

[@JB31278]

Ok now what if I want a barrel swivel on bottom of plug? What modifications would you need in the mold so that it’s free swinging. Do you have any videos of making a plug with belly hook with a barrel swivel?

[@СлавокПоплавок-к9ъ]

Познавательно и 🤔 интересно

[@caseyhenderson8035]

I just wanted to figure out how to make a silicone mold, you made way more complicated that needed to be an added too much info to be using to be using Legos.

[@EngineeredAngler]

OK

[@thewarpsyrhead]

You making a batch of Fat Belly’s to sell to yours truly?😂

[@darrenpodolak6485]

Came here for a video about microchip fishing lures, leaving disappointed

[@firearms-explosives]

I'm casting a silicone elephant but curious what advantage you get by making your own lures. It Seems like a lot of work. I know nothing about lures. Are they expensive? Is it just fun to make them? I wish you'd cast this damn elephant for me. 😊Im not good at mold making. You are a professional. Thank you for teaching me your process. That is extremely kind of you. Why in the hell am I trying to make a silicone elephant you ask? Stop motion animation. It's nearly impossible my friend. I need someone like you to walk me through it badly. Anyway, thanks again sir. All the best to you and yours.

[@EngineeredAngler]

You should definitely check out this channel youtube.com/@TheCrafsMan