Custom Baits - Forum
Soft Plastic Bait Making => Getting Started / Customer Support => Topic started by: Rex on 11/26/18 09:54 UTC
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Can someone tell me the difference?
I’m doing panfish/trout plastics, nothing big and not painting them.
Few more questions:
What does heat stabilizer do?
If I do the crystal clear will I need softener? Does that give the bait more “action” or just make the bait softer?
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The difference, in my opinion, is determined by experience using the plastic at all. Crystal Clear is an excellent plastic and is offered in 3 degrees of softness but it can have a learning curve. The Essential plastic is wayyyy more forgiving during the learn stages and is, again my opinion, far better to learn with.
The Crystal Clear soft formula need no softener at all. The Essential can use some softener if you feel as though a softer plastic is needed in smaller baits. The softener works in either plastic.
Heat Stabilizer helps make the plastic less likely to burn if gotten a few degrees too warm. The Essential plastic is more forgiving when it comes to cooking and will handle some higher temps without any stabilizer. The Crystal Clear products, as mentioned, have a learning curve that includes being able to closely monitor cooking temps and some stabilizer added to it can help eliminate problems but there is still a curve that only time and experience can provide. Should you decide either way, the stabilizers helps with heat issues in both of the plastics.
Nothing can replace a good digital thermometer like the one Do-It sells in their catalog. If you learn to use the thermometer religiously stabilizer can be nixed from the list of needs.
I make more small baits than large baits, primarily for panfish. I will soften the Essential on occasion making ice baits but I'm just as likely to use the Crystal Clear soft formula. I like both plastics. The Essential is by far the stronger, stretchier of the two plastics.
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Yeah I would go with the essential series as well it's what I have used. I just don't recommend you buying more than what your going to use to keep put back. I recently bought the 2.5 gallon and can't use it probably where I had setting for a couple months while in the closet so now I'm out 80 dollars but I guess we live and learn. I reccomend you getting the heat stabilizer also with your order and a good digital thermometer to keep track of temperatures.
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Shaun, take that box of plastic and shake the heck out of it. Set it down on the opposite adge or side for an hour and then re-shake the heck of of it. Let it rest so the bubbles settle down then use it. Nothing wrong with the plastic at all.
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Ctom I will try that but I can't for the life of me get bubbles out of it. I just finally got to that box this past weekend with my son and tried several batches of it and can't get that air out. I went and bought a torch to run across the top to pop bubbles but that doesn't even help much. I even loaded in some glitter to displace the air and a good bit of it and still the same thing. I haven't had problems anything like this before I'm assuming just probably where it set a couple months? I mostly make crappie panfish baits so a 2.5 gallon box goes far as you no. I bought that to have put back because at the time I had a little extra money. I really like the plastic it's good stuff and the only brand I have ever used but obviously frustrating. I'm just assuming probably where it set a few months ?
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Shaun....got a room with a dehumidifier running in it. If so, just barely crack the cover with the box upright so the plastic cannot leak and leave it in there a week, then try it.
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Yeah I can try that thanks for the idea. I wonder if this vacuum sealer canister would work? I have setting around just a idea came to my mind I'm not sure it would work or not? Thoughts?
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Try it. One never knows.
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DOes the worm oil go in with the plastic into the molds or is it added once they are bagged?
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Worm oil goes in bags when the baits are packaged. A little will go a lonnnnnnng way so go easy on it. In a 4X4 bag maybe three or four drops will be plenty.
If you're going to add scent to the bags, mix a little of the scent up with a half a bottle of the worm oil and add a couple drops of the scented oil in lieu of a couple of the plain oil.
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Shaun. Let the cup of cooked plastic sit for a few minutes and cool down and then heat again to bring it back and the bubbles should disappear.
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