Dual injector problems AGAIN

Put together some adapters for some Jacob's molds so I could use my dual injector on them and the adapters worked great. The Dual injector showed me I still have a problem with it. First, the baits did not come out like I wanted them to. No crisp clean lines on the laminates. They were smeared to marbled. some look fine on one side but the other side looked bad. this is not acceptable at all. I replaced all the O rings on this out fit and thought I had it solved but I don't. This thing is really starting to suck.

http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/...psunsa4akb.jpg

Not only did it not make good baits to my liking, it went and did this...

http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/...psydr3wpfa.jpg

http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/...psfu31z97b.jpg

http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/...psj0gx16x1.jpg

Now I have heard of core shots, but this is ridiculous. These are the plugs that came out of the pink side after the shot. They both filled the mold and then the black went up the pink side in the blending block and into the pink injector side and completely corrupted that color. It is a good thing I was using scrap plastic and just trying this out because that would have been a good 1/2 cup shot and useless. I am really disappointed with this injector. I had both cups filled with about the same amount of plastic. I don't have a thermometer so I don't know what the temps were but I don't believe it was that. Both cups were of the same consistency when I checked them and checked the stream off my stirring sticks. I have thrown everything but the kitchen sink at these things and have just about lost my patience with them. If anyone has ANY suggestions It would be VERY appreciated. This twinjector was a lot of money and I would really like to figure out how to make it work. I have some folks that have been patiently waiting for me to get this figured out and I thought I had it. It is driving me nuts. Thanks for any thoughts, advice, or opinions.CF

Making certain your two plastics are exactly the same temperature is my guess as to a solution. No thermometer? Get one. This adventure requires very exacting plastic temps and guessing doesn't cut it. And don't pinch pennys when buying one or this could be a common issue. I have a digital with a stick that I use to stir the plastic and take temp reading all at once.

Personally I'd start working with a dual injector using a mold for a larger bait until I had a good handle on it.

I'd also turn the adapter so I was shooting a bait with a top and bottom, not two different colors of sides.

Would the infrared thermometers be alright or do I need to get a digital on a stick?CF

Infrared thermometers read surface temps nicely, but you want internal temperature, hence the digital on a stem. If you go digital, do not read the temp with the stick[probe] touching the bottom or the sides of the cooking vessel. Keep the tip of the stick in the middle of the plastic mass. This is especially so if you use a microwave. I got mine for under 20 bucks and it sure has eliminated a mess of wasted plastic.

And once you know for sure what your temps are, you should try to do the laminates at about 320 degrees. If both plastics are, say 350, your line will become muddy.

I use the the twin all the time with no problems. When you are just learning how to use it a thermometer is very important! The viscosity of the two colors is more important than temps though. Some colors and additives like pearls are thicker and need to be at a higher temp than the other color. Once you've done it a while you can just tell how the plastic flows off a knife if the two will laminate well.

Quit wasting time and plastic and get the thermometer whether it be digital and infrared! :) if infrared just stir while taking temps. I've never scorched any plastic and been through several drums of plastic.

Have any of You guys with the dual injectors ever had the by-pass issue with Your injectors before and had one color run up the other injector?CF

Its been a while since I had mine but it looks like you had air in the injector
If there is air in the injector and you push to inject the air will compress and when you let go it will pull plastic back into the injector the pink side may have had air in it
I'm no expert that's just my opinion
If it did bypass there has to be a bad seal on the side it pushed into

One color is hotter than the other is what the deal on the marble look. And also 1 color going up the blending block into the other is due to one color hotter than the other. Want another neat effect kinda spin the injector while shooting.

I would truly love to use the dual injector to make a marble effect is if I can figure out a way to twist the mold why I am shooting I think it would be cool to have a marbling effect.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by snake River

I would truly love to use the dual injector to make a marble effect is if I can figure out a way to twist the mold why I am shooting I think it would be cool to have a marbling effect.

---

Have You tried taking the cross bar off the top and pump each injector independently? Short little alternating pumps on each injector might get the job done on small baits.CF

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JohnPaul

One color is hotter than the other is what the deal on the marble look. And also 1 color going up the blending block into the other is due to one color hotter than the other. Want another neat effect kinda spin the injector while shooting.

---

JP, I think Your dead on on my problem. the bypass happened on a second attempt without re heating which made the problem worse. I got a thermometer yesterday and tried it out this morning. I could not believe the range of temp I had been working with on the plastics. I want to thank everybody who has had to pound it into my hard head to get one of these as it is going to save me a lot of headache.CF

When you are in control of the temperature you'll find that your colors will be crisper and cleaner looking.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by crappiefarmer

Have You tried taking the cross bar off the top and pump each injector independently? Short little alternating pumps on each injector might get the job done on small baits.CF

---

yes you can only use the injectors individually we have done this quite a bit.