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You can make an inexpensive mold out of plaster for plastics. Del Mart Molds makes aluminum molds and has worm making kits and supplies to make silicone molds. Should be able to get an idea how much it would cost by looking at the molds the have for sale on the site. They also sell the plastic to pour your own:
[url]http://www.del-mart.com/shop/home.php[/url]
If you are just doing stuff for your own use (i.e., don't need a production mold) you can make your own mold from bondo (same stuff that you use to fix holes in your car). If you are talking a production mold, similar to the Do It jig molds, it can get expensive. Probably $200-300 or more depending on how detailed.
Andrew
At one time I had a part time tool and die shop. I made aluminum production molds for several lure makers. A forty cavity soft plastic mold in todays costs would run about four to five thousand.
Steve
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If you want to get in to the mold making business I would suggest you make up a brochure with a list of your equipment and it's capabilits. List how much experence you have (flow molding, blow molding, ect). Include any products you have made even if they don't relate to fishing. Use pictures, lots of pictures. It doesn't have to be a slick production, just a cover letter with pictures off your printer will do fine. Then send it to as many lure companies as you want. Don't worry about them being local, shipping is not that bad (One of my best customers was in Califonia). One thing to keep in mind when talking to someone wanting to get in to the business. Some companies don't make their own lures. They have their molds made, then have the product run by someone else. There is a company in Alabama who runs a lot of the soft plastics you see around.
There are a ton of lure companies around ,and they are always changing their product line. The work is out there. You just have to get your foot in the door.
Good luck with it.
Steve
Be careful about copying someone elses lures. They have put a lot of time and money into their design and they won't take kindly to someone reproducing them. Some of the bigger groups will burn you, as in copyright lawsuits.
Just my 2 Cents worth.
Steve
I work for a company that makes prototypes i know the laws whem in comes to patends and copying another persons product.
i have made MANY molds for myself just wondering what it is worth to people if they could design there own lure and have a mold made for it or just to have a mold of one of their favorite baits.
yes you can make molds out of plastic but they are one sided molds.. you cannot make a sweet beaver, paco craw or any other complex mold with multiple cavities with that
how much money would anyone pay to have mold made of a lure of your choice it can be just something you thaught of..a certain jig you like or worm..spinnerbait what would you give for a mold?
I know of a guy whom sell the plasticizers for making your own lures