Custom Baits - Forum
Soft Plastic Bait Making => Getting Started / Customer Support => Topic started by: Mike D on 07/30/13 08:48 UTC
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Hello all!
First off let me start by saying I am new here and just by taking a quick look around I can tell this is going to be a nice forum to be part of. Lots of helpful advice and seems like people take it easy on the newbies, not to common with online forums today! So thank you for making a comfortable atmosphere for us new to this hobby.
I first got the idea of pouring my own molds after bumping into a wonderful older gentleman while fishing one day with a good friend of mine and his son. I was talking to my buddy about the cost of plastics, anyone who fishes with a younger kid, or someone new to fishing can feel my pain of losing multiple plastics in a short amount of time. And he suggested I pour my own. We talked very briefly and I was intrigued immediately as I am very hands on and like hobbies. He said he was able to do it very small scale in his own kitchen, that's what really got my attention since I live in a smallish apartment.
So my main question is. Could someone doing this on a very small scale be able to do it indoors without a huge extraction hood and stuff(which I see mentioned a lot here)? Since I live in an apartment I can't really modify anything, outdoor space is very limited/non existent and I don't have a garage. So would I be able to do his very small scale with say the window open with a fan blowing out? I only plan on making a few baits at a time, enough for a weekends worth of fishing, say 5-7 finesse worms, few frogs and possibly a few salamanders. Nothing crazy or anything. I don't want the fumes to harm myself, my girlfriend or our dog so safety is a big thing for me.
Does my operation seem feasible with just the window fan blowing out and a small desktop fan blowing towards that?
Thank you for any and all help and suggestions its much appreciated
Mike D
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Hey Mike, welcome to the forum! There is definitely a great group of guys and gals on here. As to your question, I think you'll be fine but I'm by no means an expert. I pour in my basement with a fan and window open and I haven't had a problem. That's not to say the whole basement doesn't smell like plastic afterwards though. You could always try it out to see if it would work. You could just melt some old tore up plastic in a Pyrex to see how it would go. Hopefully this helps :)
Josh
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Thanks for your fast response! That gives me a boost of confidence to hear that someone else is doing it close to how I would like to.
What method do you use to heat your plastic? I am thinking of a small hot plate, seems like I might be able to control the heat a little better than a microwave.
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Originally I was going to use a hot plate because it was cheaper and I didn't have much money. Then I ended up going with a microwave and that works really well for how many baits I make at a time which is usually 15-20 every few days or so. I know other guys use hot plates so hopefully one or more of them will chime in on how they use it for their baits.
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The answer is yes...but with some "sort of's"....
1. Don't use your kitchen microwave. You should use a dedicated microwave for melting your plastic. Walmart has some nice, small cheap ones that seem to work just fine...maybe even better than fine because they are low wattage and don't heat the plastic too quickly.
2. You do need to ventilate as much as possible. Use fans. Use a good plastic like the Do-it brand that is Phthalate free. The "toxic" part is if you burn the pvc. You then have a "toxic event" and that is NOT a good thing!!!! Order the thermometer that Do -it sells (I've posted a dozen times why the digital is better than an infrared and why you need a thermometer so do a little searching on the site.). You need to get Do-it plastic to 350 degrees for it to completely "change state". Otherwise you will end up with sticky and/or cloudy baits. You will pour from 360 to 320 (give or take) depending on the mold. I heat 4 oz at a time in a good, new Pyrex cup (or a high temp Silicone cup). My first heat is for 2 minutes (dependent on the wattage of your micro) then stir, and depending on your wattage you need to heat one or two more times for about 20-30 seconds to get it to 350. Stir each time you measure your temperature, the plastic does NOT heat evenly. Yes...for small amounts you could heat the plastic on a stove....but an open flame source (like a gas stove) would make me nervous! The hot plate post is a good idea for small amounts of plastic.
3. You MUST wear some gloves (sold on the site or some leather work gloves) and I strongly recommend the 3M respirator masks like:
http://www.amazon.com/3M-Respirator-7502-Respiratory-Protection/dp/B008MCUT86/ref=pd_cp_hi_1
Also, Always wear pants and close toed shoes. No shorts and sandals!!!!! A long sleeve shirt is a good idea.
Read ALL the posts in the safety section of the forum before you start!! 350 degree plastic can cause serious burns!
Also...since you are in the kitchen...make sure you do NOT get water anywhere close to hot plastic! It will instantly turn to steam and cause a "steam explosion" splattering hot plastic all over the place. NOT a good thing!
Start slow, read the forum like crazy...there is LOTS of good information.
Welcome and don't be afraid to ask a question if you can't find the answer on the forum (the search is good...but only if you know what word to search for!).
This is a fun hobby if you do it safely. Go slow....think about what you are doing.
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get in on the cheap
I just picked up a great microwave from my local Freecycle.org, and checked out the local thrift store and picked up Pyrex (1cup) measuring cups for 99 cents each. Make sure they do not have any nicks or chips in them.
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Welcome to the forum, Mike. Great bunch of guys, except for Tom, Andy, Justin, Josh, Drew, Mo, Gary, Jerry, Jeff, Steve, Shawn and a couple dozen others. First and foremost, ask before you do anything that you're unsure of. This is a great hobby, but you have to be careful. Oh yeah, plan on buying a small house with a big shop because this hobby is also very addictive.
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Thanks guys! I am quickly learning that this hobby isn't one that you jump right into! Silly me for thinking it would be. I plan on slowly buying the things I need as I read into it. So I have lots of time to read and to educate myself about this. I might actually look at setting up a temporary shop at my parents house in a part of the attached garage just to give me some more space, I have a feeling I will be addicted very soon.
I plan on looking for a microwave or hot plate this weekend. I'm leaning towards the hot plate just because I feel like I will be using smaller amounts of plastic. And it's easier to store a hot plate as opposed to another microwave.
Plastic, colors, glitter and such will be bought right from Caney, they have the best prices I have found. And I have not read a bad review. Not to mention I sent an email to them yesterday and heard back in less than 3hrs. Now that's good quality customer service if you ask me. That's a big selling point for me. I'd pay extra just for the top notch service and that's actually how I found the forum.
Molds I have a few I made last weekend from plaster of Paris. They are open hand pour molds but that's ok. I didn't want to spend $50+ on a mold for something I'm not 100% sure I will like. So we will see how that goes and how well they work.
Thanks again I'm sure ill have more questions along the way!
Mike
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still go with the microwave - 65$ at walmart for a 1000watt model will do what you need - much smaller learning curve and much less likely to cause burning (bad).
I just started as well - it is addictive, but I kinda knew that from the start (its why I put it off).
Welcome aboard.
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Mike, Just curious but when you made your plaster molds did you seal them really well? If they're not sealed right your baits will come out dull and nasty looking. You can use a 50/50 mixture of Elmers Glue and water to seal them with.
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Yes they were sealed. I used 4 coats of a glue similar to Elmer's glue. And then I took it a step further and gave them all a few coats of high temp clear coat. So hopefully that will seal them up well enough to make some good baits.
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Mike. Welcome. I started this hobby ( now a way of life). I only thought I needed a couple molds. Now I have 13 molds. And have that many or more I want.
And if there is a mold you maybe interested in. Ask I bet someone here wil send you some. For the cost of shipping.
Ps Denny is a lawyer. ; )
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Welcome Mike D! I've been doing the plastics hobby in my kitchen for about 2 years. I have 12 molds and 20 different colors. Maybe 15 different colors of glitter. So, I think you could do a small scale hobby in an apartment. But beware! This is a hobby that grows. You will have 15 molds before you know it! Lol
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Happy to have you on deck, Mike. Welcome.
As far as small scale goes, it won't last long.
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Mike D welcome to the crazy house..
Everyone has given you sold advise so there is nothing new I'm going to add. Just a good old welcome to the board. There is a great bunch of guys on here with vast knowledge in this hobby.
X2 with Denny when he said "First and foremost, ask before you do anything that you're unsure of."
X2 with Justin when he said "And if there is a mold you maybe interested in. Ask I bet someone here wil send you some. For the cost of shipping."
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Thanks everyone for all the helpful posts. Really makes things easier. Did a lot of reading last night. Looked at some supplies. Going to hopefully make some of my first purchases this week.
Do any of you use the carrot molds? They caught my eye last night and might have to be one of my future purchases!
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I think a carrot mold would be an excellent choice for a first mold. It is easy to shoot and it definitely catches fish. You also have many sizes to choose from.
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The carrot molds shoot extremely well and are not at all finicky like some molds. I have the 5" skinny carrot and that thing just straight up catches fish. I've rigged it wacky, texas, and used it like a jerk bait and those all work really well. (The jerk bait presentation is my favorite though)
Josh
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100% agree with Josh.
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Glad to hear they work well. I'm gonna keep an eye out for people selling any of them before I buy the mold. Hopefully some show up soon. I saw a few molds for sale but they were already sold.
Getting excited to start. I saw a 700w microwave for sale at Walmart this morning for $40. Prob pick that up this weekend.
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Mike. You have to be quick on the draw around here picking up used molds. Denny buys most of them. I think he has two of each mold ccm has.
I don't see to many carrots for sell. I have the five skinny and could never part with it. It's my go to bait when things get tough. Goes well on a shaky head.
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Doesn't Grimp still have some 3.5" carrots for sale?
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Yup.....2/$85.00. Good deal right there.