Tom,
Mike used a silicone tube that was split lengthwise so it could be opened up for the pouring process - then the silicone tube was sandwiched with 2 halves of pvc, capped on the ends and a ring for support in the middle. After it cured - he just pulled the pvc halves away and the silicone tube peeled away like a banana peel - this left a core with the mandrel in the center and an 1.25 in ID core - it looks like a pretty good process - of course looks can be deceiving ! Haha - I want to try both processes and see which one I like the best. As I said above - I think the pvc shell part of the mold is pretty straight forward - just trying to figure out the silicone tube part. I have been thinking about trying to cast the tube with liquid silicone rubber like what is used for mold making. Again I don’t want this to become to complicated but trying different ways to achieve the same result is part of the fun of rod building to me.

Jon Hood

Hello all.

Yes the mold split down the length and the silicone part wares out after a while (I now use the pan method Tom speaks of).

Tight Wraps & Tighter Lines.

Bob,

New Bern, NC.

Rather than pouring your own foam core, why not start with a foam block, bore a hole in the center and turn it to shape / size? I have used Divinycell composite foam cores for numerous projects including an UL (52lb) 8ft CF/Kevlar boat. Aircraft Spruce and Specialty carries thicknesses from .125in to 3in in sheets ranging from 6in X 10in to 48in X 96in in densities of 3lb/cu ft to 6lb/cu ft. As a cost example; 6 X 10 X 1in, 6lb/cu ft = $11.65, that’s less than $1.50 for a 6in grip core. Divinycell was designed for composite sandwich applications and is well suited for epoxy, polyester and vinylester resins and hence will be right at home with a CF skin.

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

Thanks Mark!
Another option to test!

Jon Hood

If you are going to pour enough cores,you can mix densities to get what you want. I make my own 6lb density by mixing 8 and 4 together. I have used all 3 methods for cores and have bought mud hole and Pacbay’s cores. I liked using Mike’s mold but the silicone dries out after awhile and tears or pieces tear out inside and I also seemed to get more air bubbles than the pvc or baking pan. I like the pvc but sometimes the cores won’t come out. The baking pan works well if you have multiple mandrels and either a bandsaw or tablesaw to cut down to a square hole centered stock. Mudhole cores are nice but I like mine a larger diameter and Pacbay’s are heavier.