Do it VS hilts?

[Airstreamfield]

Just wondering how people like Hilts molds compared to do it...I was looking on their site and it seems like their molds are pretty cheap, I am wondering what the catch is. :huh: How do you guys like them? Pros/cons?

 

[hookup]

I have one Hilts and about 14 Do It molds.

The ratio should tell you something, but I'd buy more Hilts if they offered what I fish with.

But what I really want is about 1/2 dozen of Shawn Collin's molds

 

[JSC]

I like most of the Hilts molds I have .. had them before the Do Its.
I think I have only one hilts that I have had a lot of trouble with.

 

[plateboater]

Have Do-it, Hilts.....no problem. 2nd collins but have been dumping money into Jacob's lately. For $50 quality is top notch.

 

[hookup]

Those Jacob's look nice ... that's for the suggestion

 

[plateboater]

Very clean.....but the ability to use different hook size without a mod......makes Jacobs real good right now

 

[Airstreamfield]

I have to mod my molds to use heavy hooks anyway so modding them isn't a huge issue with me. I am just wondering if they pour nice and clean mainly...think I am going to order one and test it out.

Those Shawn Collins molds are crazy...I think I seen some on Ebay for like 200$!

 

[Kdog]

I really like the hilts molds for small jigs. I now have 7 of them. Unfortunately they are limited to stock on hand and much of that stock is IMO overpriced. Jacobs has great molds for a somewhat decent price and Barlows or Zeiners have all the do-it molds at very good prices.

Hilts has a good price on the trout molds but not a lot of inventory and I think only has 1/32, 1/16, 1/8 and 3/8 left. The gate design could be better, hard to get a clean break w/o trimming but I only have 2 molds out of 3 dozen that break clean enough to use as is without touching up or cutting.

 

[Airstreamfield]

Thanks guys, got hilts coming so I guess I am gonna find out. The price is right, seems you can get them pretty cheap on Ebay too.

 

[LedHed]

With the Hilt's mold you will need to use very soft lead.

Do-it and Hilt's are both good molds. Hilt's have a cleaner cavity but the sprue holes are too big. Do-it's quality is suffering (IMO) in their new molds. Seems, to me, like the older molds were made with better precision - there are exceptions too. For what they charge for a new mold you shouldn't have to dress out a cavity (i.e. the minnowhead with eyes). The semi-pro and custom are good but if you are going to spend that kind of money - might as well get a Jacob's or even better - a Collin's...... If you are truly fortunate - might stumble across a custom Ament or a Howell (Robert at Crazy Angler).

 

[LedHed]

Ton of Lil Macs on fleabay too.

 

[Airstreamfield]

Thanks everyone for the info. I got them today...not quite sure what I think of them...for the price they're nice, I am still pretty new to pouring lead too, I think I might write up a small review. I prefer my do its to the hilts I just got but the do its were twice the price.

 

[LedHed]

You will be surprised on how fast you recoup the cost of the molds in jigs. Problem is - you take that money - and buy more hooks, molds, paint, etc.......

 

[hookup]

I pour jigs as a hobby & don't sell them. But do barter them & give them as gifts to those with 'real' boats who take me out.

I've been put on some nice honey holes because of this hobby.

 

[Airstreamfield]

Yea I am not really trying to market myself as a business but I do sell some of my work on occasion...I recently had someone request 100 heads which will help get me back some. I hate selling them though because I want to use them myself.

 

[JUNGLEJIM1]

What Hilts molds did you buy? I have several myself and the 1/32 trout jig mold actually weighs 1/24 oz. Paid $10 new for it and you can't beat that price for a 1/24 mold. I have two of these now and would like to get eyes pinned on one of them if I can get it done at a reasonable price.

 

[LedHed]

JJ - if you pin the mold, won't be 1/24th - probably (depending how deep you go) back to 1/32nd.

 

[Airstreamfield]

I just got the trout ones.

What do you mean by pinning Ledhed?