Tutorial: How to make your own Tin / white metal spoons

Method for calculating the volume of silicone required.

Before smearing the the box with Petrolium Jelly (Vaseline)

Mock up the mould box.
Then place some rice or dried beans or anything sililar but clean in the box spreading it out evenly at the level you require it, which should be minimum 10mm above the plug.
Then place this in a measuring beaker/jug.
If it comes to 100ml add 45% and this will be the volume of silicone required by weight.

N.B. Water has an SG of 1 and Mould Max 60 has an SG of 1.45
 
 
Pouring in the silicone.

You have already thinned your silicone as previously mentioned. The following may seem tedious but we want to ensure as little air entrapment as possible.

Now weigh out the required amount and add 2-3% by weight of the activator. Silicone MM60 is sensitive to activator. More activator increases the speed at which it cures and we want a long pot life ideally allowing maximum time for air to escape.
I have tested it at 1% with a very accurate scale and it took a very long time but it did cure.

Ideally you want to use a large diameter container to mix in, not too deep if possible.

When mixing, don't do it too vigorously. Rather just use a "scraping" back and forth / side to side action but making sure you are thorough. You have loads of time, the pot life of MM60 is 40 min.

Pour into the mould with a light but steady stream from one corner. then you can follow the flow staying just behind the edge of the flow.

The silicone may feel cured and hard after an hour but it has only gelled at this stage. It takes 24 hours to cure 100%. You can however move onto the next step within 12 hours. Do not use the mould till cured properly.

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After 12-24 hours, carefully deconstruct the mould.

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Clean off any excess silicone and neaten up the mould.
Smear the mould thoroughly with the petroleum jelly before inserting the plug or assembling the mould box.

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Insert the plug and rebuild the sprew, this time including the second half. Hopefully you removed the previous sprew carefully.

Rebuild the box and seal the joints.
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Pour silicone as per previous steps.

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After curing for 24 hours, deconstruct the mould box.

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You can use a cloth damp with thinners to wipe out and greasy Petroleum residue.
 
What you need to pour a spoon.

I use WM90 which is 90% Tin. I will melt it in a soup ladle using a gas burner. This is a perfect solution for DIY guys looking to make maybe 5 spoons at a time.

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First place some Talcum powder in the mould, removing excess. This helps to lubricate the mould.

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Clamp the 2 halves lightly together using the 2 small 115X50X5mm boards. Note I have it sitting at an angle. The sprew at the point it meets the cavity must be the highest point.

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Simply melt some tin and pour. Sometimes the first pour doesn't go smooth. Kind of like making pancakes. The second one will be spot on.

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Drill hols if required. File sprew burs, sand with 200# - 300# - 600#

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Polish

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After some polishing.

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Next week I'll post the pic of the fish. ;)
 
Rigged and ready.

Soon I will do a complex silicon mould for those of you who want to use through wires.
 

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m4kes

Senior Member
This i want to see, damn this seems so easy.
Will probably only get to do at the end of the month or when i order the goods.

Thanks Bennie, looking forward to the next one!!
 

GOJ

Senior Member
Great tutorial as always Bennie. My original silicon molds are starting to get tired, so i will be looking out for your next tutorial with the through wires, soon hopefully^^.. to refresh the memory. Will stop at AMT one of these afternoons and pickup some supplies on my way home.

I collected my stick baits from the postoffice this afternoon and must say they look fantastic! Will be lashing the water with them up Vidal way this coming weekend :fishn
 

chokka 123

New member
Thanks for the effort Bennie! It is appreciated great tut and that spoon shines like a mirror !

Does it get dull after a while like lead ?
 

BigBen

Sealiner
SURELY THE BEST TUTORIAL AND SO EASY..

SAME APPLICATION CAN BE USED TO MAKE YOUR OWN SINKER MOULDS..

((goodp_((goodp_((goodp_((goodp_((goodp_((goodp_


RESPECT BRO!
 

willem wikkel spies

Moderator
Staff member
Bennie, Bennie boek wurm.

duidelik is jy nie die boekwur nie.
hy kon nie met sy hande werk nie.

baie mooi en goed gedoen Bennie.

ekt altyd plaster of paris gebruik.

good for a couple of moulds only.
also very rough etc.

one thing you always need in your tackle box is a tin spoon.

weereens
great post.
 
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