Soft Plastics Question

[NiceBass]

I am thinking about ordering the supplies to pour my own plastics. I was just wondering (so I know how much to order) About how many worms will 1 Gallon of Plastic pour.. roughly.

[javelin225ho]

i have found that if i re-use my trimmings, one gallon will produce about 380-425 finess worms.....now, that's remelting everything you trim off and scrape out of the pyrex.  Also, depending on how much salt and softener you add......

[NiceBass]

Alright, Thankyou  I was also wondering if getting a 2-piece (fully rounded) mold is worth the extra price rather than getting a 1 piece. There is about a 50-60 $ difference.

[Bassinkorea]

I'm interested in making my own worms also.
Looking forward to any good tips and ideas.

[SwampMan]

Alright, Thankyou  I was also wondering if getting a 2-piece (fully rounded) mold is worth the extra price rather than getting a 1 piece. There is about a 50-60 $ difference.

2 Piece molds are good if you need the other half.  If you like senkos, then you wouldn't want a 1 piece mold.  For trick worms or finesse worms one side is enough.  Also with one sided molds you can do some pretty sweet double and triple pours!  Take that 50 - 60 extra dollars and order 5 gallons of plastic, I guarantee you will be happier!  My first gallon was basically wasted on messing around.

[NiceBass]

Where do you suggest I get cheap plastic? Everywhere I looked it's been generally $30 or more for 1 gallon. Is that the cheapest I will find it?

[SwampMan]

yeah that's probably the cheapest for 1 gal, plus probably $9-$10 for shipping.  So it will basically be about $40.  You can buy a 5 gallon jug from MF Manufacturing for a little under $120 SHIPPED.  It's a much better buy if you have any spare cash laying around.

[NiceBass]

I am thinking bout ordering the SENKO STARTER KIT from Del-Mart.Com, than ordering some extra plastic, and some more colors. Then ordering some 1 piece molds from somewhere else. I will let you know how it goes. Thanks!

[SwampMan]

The Senko starter kit is a great deal!!  Make sure you get some of del's Rootbeer coloring, it's my favorite color of all. 

[NiceBass]

Yeah I was probably going to order the Rootbeer, One of the Watermelons, and a Pumpkin.

I like those greens and browns 

I'm going to be taking apart some baits and making custom molds as soon as I put in that order at Del-Mart.

[javelin225ho]

plastic.........go to www.del-mart.com last time i paid about 25$/gal plus shipping....not too shabby

[SwampMan]

Del does have the cheapest price on a single gallon, but he also has the most expensive shipping charges.  It is very good plastic though!  I currently use MF Plastic and get my molds from Bobstackleshack.  Bob ships his molds for $5 no matter how many you buy and he is very quick with custom molds. 

[NiceBass]

Before spending $150-$200 on everything I decided I'd test it out a little first. I just ordered a little starter kit from M-F for a little less than $30.

How many worms you think can come out of 1 pint?

I am not looking at making good worms for my first time, just experimenting.

[BassnG3]

Nice Bass, I have been pouring for a while and I started out by buying a gallon of plastic and making my own molds out of plaster of paris.  I now own a bunch of aluminum molds and buy my plastic by 5 gallon containers.  There are a few good resources out there and they all have their good points and their bad points.  The starter kit is the way to go but I will have to warn you as soon as you catch a fish on a worm that you made you will be hooked .    You will also need some pyrex cups and an old microwave to heat up your plastic and don't do it in the house.  I could go on and on....If you have any questions feel free to ask.

Scott

[NiceBass]

My brothers college stuff is sitting in my garage now and he's got an old microwave. What type of cup or bowl do you usually microwave it in and about for how long?

[BassnG3]

Use a pyrex cup and time will vary on amount of plastic and the microwave.  Start at two minutes and go in 30-45 increments from there.  Stir each time with an old spoon don't use wood anything to stir plastic.  Plastic starts out looking milky then goes to a clear gel stage then when done it is a thin hot clear liquid.  I add my dark colors after the plastic is hot and bright/lite colors I add before plastic is heated.

Scott

[coldfront]

This is a fascinating discussion...great question...

I too am thinking about this...any good molds out there for plastic jerkbaits?  Something along the lines of a Fluke?  One of the best colors I've ever used in the fluke is rootbeer/pepper (dark pumpkinseed)...see this some times for the saltwater guys...not so much for freshwater...

Then, also, the straight tail finesse worms (handpours) with multi-colors are great.  Really like what the guys in California are doing...

Finally, how much softener do you use?

[BassnG3]

Del mart http://www.del-mart.com/ makes both a Super Fluke mold and a Bass Assassin type mold, I pour the super fluke type.  Softener amount depends on plastic that you use and your preference for soft baits.

Scott

[NiceBass]

I got my first kit from M-F plastics. The first try pouring I messed up a little and had to re-melt the plastic. I found that it smokes alot more and smells alot more when you are re-melting, rather than making it from new plastic. I'm getting pretty good at pouring it and everything. I think i'm going to order the Senko Mold from Del-Mart and 2 gallons of plastic with the additives and whatnot.

[NiceBass]

Everything is going good except everytime I pour.. The plastic in my Pyrex cup will statr getting hard in 25-30 seconds so I need to pour very fast. I'm not sure if I need heat stabalizer or what. Anybody ever had this problem?

Anyway, here are a few of my first lures..

[BassnG3]

Now wait till you catch something on one that you poured then it really gets serious  

[ʇuǝɹq™]

What do you use to reheat your plastics?  A hot plate, or is there something special to use?

[pretjah]

What do you use to reheat your plastics?  A hot plate, or is there something special to use?

pyrex microwavable measuring cup is teh best bet i believe...

i only tinker with plaster molds and melting used plastics  and that's what i use and it works good.


i have a couple of molds i really like and i'm thinking of buying some plastic to try  but haven't committed yet

[bass1cpr]

   For small amounts of plastic the hot plate and small aluminum pots is easiest. I think you can control small pours easier this way. You do need a candy thermometer to watch the heat of the plastic.

   IT's best to add a little fresh palstisol to remelts.

[SwampMan]

Anchor makes cups just like pyrex, only a little more narrow.  They work really well for hand pouring and I seem to get more control with them.  I bought the anchor cups at walmart.  And if you want to dip tubes, I saw a 32 oz. Anchor cup!!!