IS THERE AN EASIER WAY?????????

[nbarnych]

This is how I make my baits....long story short version.

Two color
Heat two separate cups of plastic, stir, pour bottom color,close mold, heat other cup for a few more seconds,stir,inject,empty extra plastic out of the injector,open mold, cut extra plastic off baits, put extra plastic back in cups,remold, then reheat plastic for the next round...etc,etc,etc,etc.

It doesn't look like it here but there is a lot of microwave time and stirring time here. I only do a few single cavity molds at a time or one five cavity mold at a time(sticks).

My point is, I am constantly REHEATING my plastic vs having my plastic stay CONSTANTLY heated and it seems very redundant and very time consuming for very few baits.

If you understand what I am saying here, is there an easier way?

Any opinions will help.

Thank you

[Underdog]

Absolutey, there is a better way.For my big runs I use a presto pot, you can get a real nice one from bears baits. It comes with a mixing device and has a pouring spout on the bottom for hand pours. For my smaller runs or when I'm pouring two color croakers I use the pouring pans from lurecraft and I also use there hot plate. What I do is put my pans on the hot plate, cook my plastic in the micro, then dump the plastic in the pans on the hot plate. that way I'm only heating the plastic once. I put my sprus in a separate cup and reheat them later with new plastic added.


Hey how about uconn lunker?

[Jason]

There are many ways.  Below are some of the options.  You can mix and match to best meet your needs.  I'm sure others will share what works best for them.

Heat source options:
Microwave, griddle, electric or gas burner (single or double burner), presto pots, I'm sure there are more...

Injection methods:
Hand pour then inject, blending block (inject both at once), some use foil between the mold, etc...

Molds:
The more you can inject at one time, the less you will have to reheat.  Doing one mold at a time is very time consuming.  Even if they are different molds, do as many as you can at one time.

I have found high temp silicone bowls hold heat better than pyrex.  When not injecting if you are using a microwave put it back in there to help hold the heat.

If using pyrex, some set it on a hot plate to keep it warm - I have never done this but saw a video Frank made and it looks like it works well.

For the most part I am testing molds so I am normally shooting quite a few at once.  If you are serious about shooting laminates you probably need to look into a blending block system (http://www.caneycreekmolds.net/index.php?topic=116.0).

Next would be your heat source.  You may have to experiment with the different options to find what you like best.

Lastly, try and do as many molds at once as you can.

Hopefully something in all this helps.

Jason

[nbarnych]

Thanks for your replies guys.
Jason, used your molds for the first time, awesome!!

Underdog, do those systems keep the plastic at injection/pouring temperature or do they just keep the plastic hot? If it does keep it at injection temperature, does keeping it that hot that long burn the plastic/glitter/salt (not overheating the plastic, but just maintaining that high temperature)?

Would you recommend the way you mentioned?

[nbarnych]

By the way underdog, the only thing lunker about me is my stomach.....as of late anyway, keep them coming.

[Underdog]

By the way underdog, the only thing lunker about me is my stomach.....as of late anyway, keep them coming.

LMA

Yes both the systems will keep the temp at inject/pour level. If you dont have a infra red temp gauge you can get one at lowes, home depot this has helped me alot. Anyway with only a few molds you will be fine with the pouring pans and hot plate from lurecraft. Just keep your temp between 330 360 or so, some molds shoot better hot some better cooler. If you find your plastic is burning you could ad a little heat stabilizer to fix that, and for glitter just keep an eye on it. I always ad that last after my plastic is up to temp.I find not using the mirco alot more relaxing I dont feel rushed.

[Frank]

I use this setup to help keep up the heat after the first micro session. The two in the middle are for the new plastic, the ones on the outsides are for the sprues. When you get a few sprues in there just reheat those and add them back in the first cups to boost the heat a little. For me this system works and I never reheat the first cups again unless I pause way to long. As you draw it down the side will get an edge that you can peel off and put it in the sprues cups. With the sprues warm it only takes about 30 sec in my micro, so you can pour it back in. It is actually a griddle with high sides. Frank

All filled up with big cups

[five@atime]

All of these are great suggestions. One thing that I would caution against is the use of a gas burner to heat with. It can be done but is VERY dangerous as the plastisol is flammable. Yes, this is the voice of experience. Hot plates, micro's and prestos are the best options IMO. I use a dual presto set up for large 2 color pours and hot plates for the smaller ones.

[shockley32]

Frank,

I noticed your blue in the picture looks like a lighter glossy blue mixed through out the blue plastic.  Is this an effect that you created or is the camera playing with my eyes?

Thanks,

Brad

[Frank]

The blue is pearl powder and two drops of blue colorant. Just the way it looks in the cup. Pearl does that. Frank