GB GONE

Thanks for seeing the true greatness of this forum Ryan!!!!!!!!!! I do ahve to say this though...I think pots help but I am still not sure that a pot or 2 separates the "men from the boys" in hand pours. I do have a Sta-warm but I will be honest, it doesn't seem the same making my baits with it. Do I use it...YES!!!! But only for single pours and simple bait styles. Everything else goes through the mic...cup...pour system for me. Check out some of Als Worms some time and tell me that a few pots are going to get you there....Pots help increase production, especially if you are doing sticks but "hand pouring" is an art. I have done some Aaron's magic sticks for a guy or some Armistad Specials (blue head, redbug body and chartreuse tails). There is NO WAY you are doing those with a pot or 2.... OK...off the soap box and back to the shop ! You truely have shown and told more than many would Ryan. Thank you from one hand pourer to another! Jim

Sweet job Ryan... How are the sticks you made??? Comparable to your others in the cups?? I am interested in the clean-up as well. I know that Sta-warm is now offering a deal where they will coat the inside of your pot with teflon for an extra $60. That may be the ticket for these Fry Daddy's as well. Just curious, do you do any other baits than sticks??? I am wondering if you can get a good thin flow of plastic for the small spots in the molds. Also is your flake staying mixed well or is it going to the outside of the pot as well?? Great job!!! Thanks for sharing your trials with us so we can be on the fast track for building one of these. Jim

Here you go small... Hey Jim, We are going to have a 20,000 minimum for printed zipper bags. Here are the prices. 6 x 6 clear 2.0 mil LDPE zipper bags printed with 1 color on 1 side. 20,000 bags $45.40 / 1000 bags Additional charges will be for printing plates and delivery. Lead time will be approx. 8 to 10 weeks from art approval. Above jobs are subject to industry standard over / under run of 10%. Take a look at the above prices and let me know how you would like to proceed. Thanks, Gregg Schwartz BagsOnTheNet.com 888 NET BAGS (638 2247) gregg@bagsonthenet.com When they like your Bag... Tell them BagsOnTheNet.com Jim

We could but it would look awful funny with my info on your baits !!! That was for a single plate design... Jim

I don't think so as I had bought some from them over the year and paid $32.78/1000 every time. If they did make a mistake, somebody probably lost their job :!: !!! Guess manufacturing costs have gone up!!! Jim

Ryan: Here is the equivalent to the 6 x 6 4mil bags from veripack.. Pricing is much better and the bags are identical!!! http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=USPlastic&category%5Fname=88&product%5Fid=15495 Jim

I was directed to a bag company from another TU member that found out this particular company would print on 4 or 6mil resealable bags... Got a great quote...$45.50/1000 bags!!!! Plus a little set up costs for the plates but not much. Now for the tough pill to swallow...minumum is 20,000 bags !!!! DARN IT!!! I don't have a grand to drop on that many bags nor do I really have a place to store 20,000 bags.... Back to the drawing board!!!! Jim

The company I am working with quoted me $1.54/patch for 100. That is full embroidered with iron on stuff on the back. You pay $30.00 for a sample but that $30 goes towards the amount you pay for your order should you go through with it... I have started the process and will post up my impressions when I get my sample.. Jim

I'm going to give the guys at M-F a ring and see what has changed (if anything). The smell will not keep from using the plastic as just an extra drop or 2 of scent masks it well. I'll report back... Jim

I only noticed it with the most recent batch Frank. I have had ZERO problems with yellowing in the year + of using M-F. I am wondering if there has been a formula change or something. The final baits are still SUPER SOFT!!!! Jim

I just opened my most recent 5 gallon container of M-F super soft plastisol. While pouring with it last night, I noticed a different, more "plastic" smell to the finished baits. Has anyone else noticed this? I pour everyday so I was quick to note the different smell once the plastisol was "cooked." The finished product is just as in the past but the hint of the plastic smell is much greater. Almost like the 3-G plastisol of years past. Jim

If you haven't check these out guys, you need to!!!! What a cool way to present your bait!!!! Jim

Thanks for the temps Del and James!!!! Jim

James: What is the overheat temperature???? Did Calhoun's give you a number in degrees?? I'm curious as I am sure many should be. I can say that I have some Calhoun plastic sticks from at least a year ago in pearl white and they are still pretty good...no significant yellowing or fading... Jim

They did go up significantly Ryan. Probably time to look at printed laminate bags!!!! I did notice the single track 6 x 6 4mil are a little less than the mini grip closure bags!!! If anybody gets a line on the printed poly or laminate bags, let me know!!! I'll return the favor!!! Jim

I was contacted by this company and am in the works of getting patches made.... Check them out...I believe they will do any quantity. http://www.transcope.com.sg Cornelius is the contact person and owner. Jim

Try here: http://www.swimbaitpaint.com This guy is a TU member!!!!! Jim

I'm not trying to bash any particular product or even suggest one may be better than the other. I can only give you my experience with M-F as I currently use it. Many others have experience with the other plastisols out there and can give you current info on the products they are using. Having the ability to exchange ideas and learn from others is what this forum is all about....we can't let anything get in the way of that ... Jim

I have discussed molds with Shawn. The mold I was looking for would be custom....set-up costs: $150.00 then go from there on the cost of the mold. One big advantage you may see from Shawn is that he will cut molds from lexan as well as aluminum. Pricing will be better and in a 2 part mold, you will be able to see how much of the mold has filled.... Jim

I can only comment on my experience with M-F currently. NO BUBBLES IN OVER 1 YEAR...NOT EVEN A SINGLE BUBBLE...EVER!!! Not sure if the other problem was resolved but I am sure Del can help you out if you are having issues. Jim

I apply salt to my baits after they have "cured" for 24 hours. Of course, I am adding salt directly to my plastic when I am making sticks.... Maybe you just got a bad batch of plastic...It happens.... Jim

dsmblack......try this for the zoom apple plum..it is really close!!! 8oz plastic.... 8 drops strawberry (LC), 8 drops maroon (M-F), 4 drops bright red (LC), 7 drops tomato (LC), 12 drops black grape (LC) 2 dashes + 1 pinch medium blue & 1 dash medium green + 1 pinch small green This one took me a while with all the different colors .... Jim

I have used M-F plastisol after switching from Calhoun's for over a year now. I have never had that problem but it sounds to me like your plastisol was not mixed wel enough. I would CALL Robert at M-F right away and talk with him about your problem. They will be able to answer you and also, they will make it right for you!!! I buy my plastisol in 5 gallon containers and always mix my plastic about an hour before pouring by just shaking the container left to right several times. I then mix it gently prior to retreiving any plastic out of the container. M-F does not settle like Calhoun's or M-F but not mixing it will allow the resins to sink to the lower portion of the container and give you a super soft, sticky bait. I never use worm oil on my baits just a little salt to keep them from sticking together. Jim

While the "sugar" does add to the cost of the sticks, I want something in my g-sticks that is going to set them apart from all the other "salt" sticks out there. I have had GY senko diehards switch over to my sticks after sound "on-the-water" beatings... Cost more...yes...better product...yes!!!! Thanks again Frank!!! Jim

Sorry it took me an extra day but here goes: I use 4oz of M-F plastic, 1 1/4oz M-F softener, 2 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon popcorn salt and 4 teaspoons of "sugar flakes"..... This recipe will make about 16 sticks in the 5 1/4" size...I add an extra 1/4oz softener when I make the 4" sticks as they seem to be a little more stiff without it.... Try it out and see what you think...At least it will give you a jumping off point and you can go from there. I have made some with more salt for a guy that was fishing some deep cliff banks (40+ ft) and I had to add more softener with those as well... Jim PS I usually stir between each stick and almost always will re-melt the first stick as it usually does not have enough weight to it....