3D model description
This is a 5 cavity Mini version of my Fishing Tube Bait Mold.
This mold allows you to make a complete tube baits in one shot. The legs are formed during the injection process and there is no need to cut them afterwards (just carefully peel them off the insert.) This makes for a tube bait with near perfect duplicate legs. The finished lures are about 2 3/8" long.
Each mold half requires about 6.5" x 3.75" of bed area to print.
A printer with high tolerance is recommended or you may not achieve the proper results if the insert doesn't fit correctly in the mold halves. Even with a good printer some flashing may result.
(I have a single cavity test mold of the larger tube bait also available on Cults if you would like to test that out first before attempting this 5 cavity mini version)
There are two inserts included although the insert with more legs are harder to remove without tearing the legs so I recommend using the insert with fewer legs.
The First image shows the Mini Tubes compared to my larger tube baits.
This is a 3D printed plastic mold so you have to be careful with your temps and injection pressure. I printed this mold in PLA+ and try to inject my Plastisol at or around 300Β°. (I use Dead On Plastix's brand of Plastisol) You also need to use very little pressure on the injector when shooting these types of mold. If you use a lot of pressure when injecting a 3D printed Mold... you can/will blow through the mold. Start light and work up with the pressure if you do not get a full injection or you have bubbles. It's better to have a misformed bait or two than ruin the mold.
The Video link below shows How to Inject a 3D Printed Mold, I'd recommend watching before purchasing my molds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FeUszxAK8s
Video of this type of mold in action can be seen at https://youtu.be/WSCQe7MVScA
https://www.theneverendingprojectslist.com/fishingprojects/3dprintedinjectiontubemold/
NOTICE - My files and designs are all Copyrighted Β© and are exclusively for private and personal use. Even if you purchased these files that Copyright means you are NOT allowed to sell the model or any derivative of the model for economic or financial gain. For example, you cannot sell the digital model, a derivative or adaptation of that model, nor can you sell prints of the model. I do however grant permission for persons who purchase any soft bait molds to sell the rubber soft baits you make with one of my printed soft bait molds.... but again you CAN NOT sell the actual models of the baits.
3D printing settings
I print this mold in PLA+ with the following settings
(You'll have to experiment with what material and settings work best for you.)
Layer Height = .10mm
Top Solid Layers = 15
Bottom Solid Layers = 3
Outline/Perimeter Shells = 4
Supports = Not used
Infill = 25% (for mold) 80% for Insert. (an 1/8" steel rod can be inserted into the Tube Bait Insert piece and mold halves to help keep them from warping from the heat of the injection plastic.)
Worm oil on the insert before injection is also recommended.