more basic basic questions

[bearwithfish]

seems that my other thread turned a bit off topic and i have a few more fairly basic questions so here goes.....

now when heating plastic to mold - from all i have read and watched at this point you either microwave ot pot melt. the question is will a standard electric single burner work for this? and about the pot can a simple cheapo work? like a single handle 2-4 quart that i can make a bend in the side for pouring...

for one part molds i have seen a number of ways to make them and think the POP rout is the way to go in my experimental stage..... in your estimation how many pours can you get from one mold? just a rough estimate is good tryign to look at the best way to save money while experimenting...

no keep in mind i am not looking for full kits, site recommendations, or a i am better than you kind of discussion... just some simple ideas... thank you all in advance.... better yet keep this thought in mind i am looking to learn and experiment with a bud get of about $50 or less is at all possible... (this is all i am willing to use at this time to play around with)

[biggun]

A fifty dollar budget is goin to be tight but you can do it, first get you a quart of plastic, a few colors, and some glitter, from whom ever you choose. You can go the pot and burner route but I wouldnt recomend it. You will also need an good infared thermometer you can grab one for like 30 bucks at northern tool, and a good pair of high temp gloves. I would go the pyrex route because you can take the microwave outside you dont want to be cookin plastic in the house! The fumes are harmfull! The POP you can get anywere wally world, lowes, home depot. Then you can either coat the mold after its cured with either an 50/50 mix of wood glue or I like to use devcon 2 ton epoxy just make sure you get the 30 min type or it will start to set up on you before you can finish the mold. Ive got a few POP molds Ive poured hundreds of baits through, I usually end up dropping them and thats that, you could also go the fiberglass resin route but if dropped they shatter. Aluminum molds are the best they cool faster then POP and resin and make very shinny baits, but then the price comes in. Like anything you pay for what you get. There is so many different ways to go to do this it would be almost impossible to list it all on here. Everybody has developed there own style of pouring that does this my ways and opion may be totally different then the next guy, and thus yourse would be also.

[SenkoSam]

now when heating plastic to mold - from all i have read and watched at this point you either microwave ot pot melt. the question is will a standard electric single burner work for this? and about the pot can a simple cheapo work? like a single handle 2-4 quart that i can make a bend in the side for pouring...

MHO - you're asking for trouble doing stove top with flame
Microwave cheapest, easiest, fastest, safest.

for one part molds i have seen a number of ways to make them and think the POP rout is the way to go in my experimental stage

Cheapest and easiest for one or two part.

in your estimation how many pours can you get from one mold?

Unlimited as long as the surface coating is adequate.

As far as buying plastic, melt down lures that aren't super soft in a small pyrex contaier.
Initial investment - less than a buck for your first set of lures.

[javelin225ho]

i tried the burner, it does just that....burns it....you'll waste more plastic than its worth....the microwave is a good route, but the pot is the most consistant.

[bearwithfish]

i was thinking electric burner not gas (i am slow and new not dumb and dangerous LOL) out side for fume issues and so far i think all your advice was 80% of what i came up with too...

[SenkoSam]

Burning plastic can be very dangerous once white smoke forms regardless of heat source - you can choke to death!   I have to stir metal-pot plastic a lot more to prevent uneven heat and burning. I'd rather partially or fully melt my plastic in a pyrex cup and then pour a few right away.  (plastic temp only has to be 280 degrees)

Once blackened even a little, it's garbage and stinks up the plastic after the lure is poured.
Worse is that it becomes much harder and less flexible after the curing process ends in a few days.

[bearwithfish]

thank you i had no idea!! this will change things a bit.. have to look for an old microwave LOL

[SenkoSam]

Just remember - zap and stir - zap and stir - more frequent as the plastic gets to a fluid consistency and  VENTILATION AN ABSOLUTE MUST!!!!!! (I use a small fan facing out of the window.)

Suggestion before you order plastisol : try it with some old cut up plastics and half fill a pyrex cup. Pour a lure inside a large metal serving spoon, tilted towards the front.  Repour the front for thickness. Once cool, cut with a safety razor blade or scissors. You've now made your first lure or trailer!

[bearwithfish]

Just remember - zap and stir - zap and stir - more frequent as the plastic gets to a fluid consistency and  VENTILATION AN ABSOLUTE MUST!!!!!! (I use a small fan facing out of the window.)

Suggestion before you order plastisol : try it with some old cut up plastics and half fill a pyrex cup. Pour a lure inside a large metal serving spoon, tilted towards the front.  Repour the front for thickness. Once cool, cut with a safety razor blade or scissors. You've now made your first lure or trailer!

wow get out of my head !!! LOL i waas saying this very thing to my better half this evening! no joke planning to make a jig trailer this way if not a spoon with a POP mold i am getting the POP next week and i am going threw all my old junk to find stuff to practice with....

[jesse1378]

ok under 50 budget....

craigslist/yard sale microwave (900-1000 watts is ideal)... 20-30 bucks.
pyrex cup.... 3
baits....remelts from your old baits...free  (make sure they are dry and no water is in/on them)
POP.... 12 ( i bought the bucket so i dont know how cheap the smaller one is lol.
or
Durham's Water putty... 8 ( i use this now...fries hard and easy to work with)
2 part epoxy to seal mold... 3 bucks
acetone to thin epoxy.... 8
cheap lil paint brushes..1 from 1 store


so 27ish if you go with the bucket of POP plus microwave price
less if you get the small thing of POP
or 23ish plus microwave if you go Durham's Water Putty. 

[theBaitBar]

I bought a cheap infrared thermometer from harbor freight for $19.  It allows you to get to the temp. you like everytime without guessing.

www.thebaitbar.com