what plastic

[bassin101mg]

Where and what is a real good plastic to buy for making worms and swimbaits? I want a soft type like a senko. I have been recycling mine, but I want to start making them to save money. I have found a lot of plastic to buy, just not sure which is the best. Can you use a lee lead production pot w/a thermostat control to melt plastic if I keep it under 400 degrees? I have been using a microwave.

[Jared]

By either Calhouns of Bears Ultra. You can get them both here:

http://www.bearsbaits.com/Liquid-Plastics_c_1.html

Bears also has the best price per gallon you will find.

Tho hmm I dont see Bears Ultra anymore.. just Calhouns and Chemionics... both are very good. Though Calhoun is thinner which makes it easier for hand pouring.

[beer980]

They do make a Lee pot for plastic but I have heard mixed reviews on it. Things like leaky valve, not stable heat and hard to clean if I remember. You can buy soft, medium or hard plastic plus you can add hardener or softener to any of these. Most people use medium because you can adjust up or down with the additives if you want to go outside the box. Senkos add salt to their bait and that will affect your color a little. I am not a big fan of salt so I don't use it unless it is requested. For plastics there are several companies and most people settle on a favorite brand. Ask them for a sample so you can see how it compares from brand to brand. I prefer to use "Green" plastic so my favorite is from LC. Based on my experience I do not like M-F plastic at all.

[Jig Man]

I wouldn't try the lead pot for plastic. If you are going into production then you should buy a professional pot. If you are doing home pours like a lot of us then get a microwave and some pyrex cups. You can get a working micro in a flea mkt or pawn shop for under 20 bones.

I have been using Calhoun's medium for a year now and am satisfied with it except on light colors then I have to add heat stabilizer on reheats. I am getting ready to order a 2 1/2 gallon jug from Bear. His price is $68.50 and lots of places it is $55 per gallon.

[bassin101mg]

Im just doing my home pours. Not gone sell any. If I get 1gal to try and I want the plastic to be softer how much softener will I need? What im trying to say is does it take a lot are do you just add small amounts of it? the heat stabilizer on reheats. If not added will the plastic burn?

[Jared]

Ken I have a couple of the lees big plastic production pots. They work really nice... but you need to get the temp just right or else they can easily burn your plastic. It does work really nice though when you have top pour molds and you can get your plastic ready and your mold ready. Then all you have to do is line up the first hole, open valve, slide, second hold, open valve, slide, third hole, open valve, etc... I have a 10 cavity stick mold and with the pot and the mold, I can have 10 sticks poured in just a minute or two. Its VERY fast.

[bassin101mg]

Thats what Im looking for. speed. I dont have time to spend hours pouring baits.

[Jared]

Originally Posted by bassin101mg

Im just doing my home pours. Not gone sell any. If I get 1gal to try and I want the plastic to be softer how much softener will I need? What im trying to say is does it take a lot are do you just add small amounts of it? the heat stabilizer on reheats. If not added will the plastic burn?

You only need a couple tablespoons per cup... example would be the standard stick bait fornula is 1 cup plastic and 1/4 cup of softener then of course a 1/2 cup of salt is added. With this stick formula there is a 1/4 cup softener used to ofset how firm the salt will make the mixture. Without salt, a teaspoon or two of softener per cup would be fine.
You can use heat stablizer if you wish. It does help keep the plastic from yellowing... but if you monitor your temp and keep your plastic stirred you wont need it.. especially if you are only heating small quantities at a time.

[bassin101mg]

Thanks for the help.

[David_Cooksey]

I use Calhoun Medium

Dave