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3d Printing Soft Plastic Molds

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I was surprised to see that this actually works!  I have a 3d printer that I use for just about everything, and I've been wondering if I could use it to create soft plastic molds.  I have no experience with injecting soft plastics, but on a whim I bought a 4oz injector off amazon and gave it a shot.  I have a bit of hobby level experience in 3d design.  I drew up my version of a senko and printed it out in 60%infill petg.  I used wood backing blocks when assembling the mold to give it some added stability.  Below is the result of my first try.  I have a ton to learn about plastisol, injecting soft plastics, etc.... but its a pretty cool proof of concept. Now I can essentially create any bait mold I can imagine up. 

senko1.jpg

baits.jpg

baits1.jpg

I tried this as well but found out pla isn’t the best. After 3 pours the mold started deforming. 

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5 minutes ago, spartyon8 said:

I tried this as well but found out pla isn’t the best. After 3 pours the mold started deforming. 

PETG seems to work.  I guess theres just enough temperature resistance.  No noticable deformation after 4 pours.  A wood backing on the mold also seems to help evenly distribute clamping pressure.  

  • Author

Made a few out of fresh plastisol.  I designed and poured quite a few ned style baits.  The plastisol I got my hands on seems to float without salt, so that works great for ned rigs and finesse baits.  Tried them out at the neighborhood pond yesterday and they work great!

  • Super User

That's pretty cool.

Thanks for sharing!  Pretty sweet.

  • 5 months later...

Did the mould last the test of time? I am curious as I would love to design my own soft plastics and if this works, it seems like the simplest method. I can also use the 3D printer to make positives and then make a silicone mould, but this would be one step.

  • Author
On 3/7/2020 at 10:46 PM, Roastman said:

Did the mould last the test of time? I am curious as I would love to design my own soft plastics and if this works, it seems like the simplest method. I can also use the 3D printer to make positives and then make a silicone mould, but this would be one step.

I have yet to melt or break a single mold.  I've printed about 15 so far...

  • 4 months later...

Can you post a link to the files so we can give it a shot?

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