smallmouthaholic

There are many variables to an exhaust hood and or booth..I went through the same calculations w/ an HVAC specialist and yes,mine is adequate but i wish I had more CFM's when the application calls for it.. I prefer not to work w/ a mask and @times ,still get some aromatic vapors from various products used on the edge of the booth. A large,open range hood would need more CFM depending upon the distance from the work area and the size.. I would prefer an exhaust system w/ a variable rheostat ( if that is compatable w/ the fan I choose) for my next exhaust system.

You continue to assume and criticise. I've correct ed some of your assumtions concerning me in the past yet you never state "I stand corrected." It takes a real person to admit when they are incorrect.You're the man- the B.M.O.C.(in your own eyes) Statements from Gangel are worthless rhetoric concerning a business and successful business philosophies.He threatened so i took him up on it. You use this as ammunition against me? I'm not going to continue w/ any further,personal attacks. It simply serves no purpose.

You keep picking and poking away. Kindly stop! You're dealing w/ an experiencedself-employed business man w/ 37 years experience. I do not sugar coat business advice since the business world is cruel and un-fair. I gave the tennager enough prudent advise concerning his future. I am not in favor of a 15 year old working w/ hot plastisol w/out direct supervision from experience people.I'm not about to waste my precious time detailing saftey items only to have some of the self-appointed experts on the board discredit them. Many on here work w/out an exhaust booth and/or adequate range hood w/ a 1400+cfm exhaust fan. There was just a discussion about the toxidity of molten lead fumes. Most,if any never used a digital pyrometer w/ an imersion probe to check lead temperatures. Attention to detail is paramount to success and ones' personal safety. i wish i had purchased better equipment from the beginning. Some on TU have ridiculed my statement of 2-4 k to get started in the injection business w/ a shooting star -2 color system and muliple CNC injection molds- or even a hobby for that matter. Respect the detailed advice i'm willing to give and plan your financial willingness and capabilities before you dive in and then have a forced fire sale. I'd be really careful sending a teenager equipment that can possibly harm and injure him in today's,litigious society.

Mike, I've started, owned and operated 3 succesful businesses in 37 years. I've had my neck and Ba*** out on the chopping block many times but always managed to come out ahead- raising two sons and going through a divorce. Hard work ,knowing your limitations and re-investing is paramount to ones' success. I read these comments of those who claim they can operate a succesful,small tackle business w/ a minimal investment for a full time business?? With all due respect, I'd like to see the schedule C part of their tax returns and the current amount of debt they owe. I've witness more then a few hot-air ballons come and go in the business world. They all talked a great tune, create a "flash and splash" scenerio but hurt some good folks financially w/ then went they went out of business and didn't pay their debts. I still believe the 15 years needs to be taught by someone experienced. Breathing plastisol fumes is very harmful and dangerous to ones' long term health. Kudo's to those willing to send materials and a pot to the young man but he needs someone to show him Safety 1st, production techniques 2nd. Most of us,including myself) started w/ hand pour molds and Lee pots.That said, one soon realizes injection w/CNC molds is the way to go( if they stay in the business long enough) There is plenty of used molds and pots for sale in the classifieds and on Bear's site from those who thought making baits was a profitable enterprise. Most would take a defensive stand against the large investment I have but like i stated before, I have no intentions of copying everyone else,purchasing a Zorn machine and moving up to the next level even though i have the capital and shop to do so. I had enough hedaches w/ various employees in the contracting business for 30 years and will not go that route now. Payroll taxes and benefits would kill you in a small tackle business operation- plain and simple. This is a good ,informative thread that will ceratinly open the eyes and close the wallets of some thinking this is their path to financial freedom. It's healthy to disagree as long as it remains civil.

Go a head and jump on it - I can handle it. BTW- the sun still rises in the east and sets in the west. Go ahead and argue w/ the 10% excise tax not being precise. Successful entrepreneurs in a legal tackle manufacturing business pay it. Those who are not successful or-never owed a tackle manufacturing business continue to spew worthless rhetoric An entrepreneur is an individual who organizes and operates a business or businesses, taking on financial risk to do so.

The in-experienced make statements beyond hilarious. but somewhat entertaining 1 coat vinyl paint w/ a brush-LMAO!. At least you won't have to worry about depositing your earnings in a business account. FYI- excise tax is already figured out the precise way- 10 % due on gross sales every quarter via form #720

I'll throw my 2 cents into this discussion- 1-Close the distance between the upper arm wire and the lower wire attached to the head and hook when you want a faster retreive. Open the distance for slower retreives. 2- i only use Worth willow blades since they have the best"tight to the shaft '' revolutions and start faster then other willow blades. A wide,wobbling rotation of the willow blade may throw your bait off balance. 3- Looking from the end of the hook to the line tie eye, make sure the wire is straight exiting the head ( in line w/ the hook) to the line tie eye. 4-Looking down on top of the spinner bait- make sure the top wire is in alignment w/ the bottom wire- directly underneath 5- Use a Worth or Sampo ball bearing swivel.The much cheaper ,foreign made B.B. do not rotate as well. You get what you pay for. 6- Make sure any plastic trailer is straight and not too big for the spinner bait. 7- Use .040 S.S. wire diameter for best,sustained results. I have no problem w/ #5 Willow blades on a 3/8 oz. spinner bait Edited for spelling

Surely you,if anyone can do so. So kindly explain what the business is and how you can continue to grow w/ a starting investment of $5.00. The world is full of entrepreneurial dreamers- a few succeed but most talk about shoulda.-coulda-.wouldda. Any busines that produces a good,sustaining income (after taxes) requires continuos monetary investments.

Hang them vertically for 24-48 hours after pouring. Try a 10'' bag and stack them horizontally,alternating the paddles tails to each side. The 1st swim-bait goes upside down,the next right side up but place the tail to the opposite side.

Good luck w/your surgery and a speedy recovery

Chris, It's just a difference of opinions. Any successful and legitimate business , that is going to produce a viable income ( after taxes and expenses)requires a substantial and continuos investment which far exceeds the cost of a Lee pot and hand pour and/or POP molds. Edited for spelling

It's pointless to argue or even repeat my advise to him - you seem to have all the answers for a lucrative,start-up,small plastics business w/ hand pour molds and a Lee pot.. It's 2013 -not 1995

i never took offense to your 1st quoted statement.You just assumed i was and to assume makes an a$$ out of you and me! Please get off your stubborn horse and carefully read exactly what i have written in this entire thread.I gave him specific advice based upon 37 years in my own business. Give the 15 year old prudent advice. Who's buying the equipment for him, explaning the caveats while showing him how to make soft-baits safely? Oh wait a minute- a small Lee pot and some hand pour molds from Lurecraft and he's good to go-P-L-E-A-S-E! A small ,soft-plastics business is much more financially involved then $2-$400.00.( add a 0 in front of the decimel point) He should be studying hard and applying himself in school. Futhermore, just how is supposed to turn a profit while attending high school? It's a shame he doesn't live in S.E.Pa. I'd offer him a summer job and let him get a real taste of a small tackle business.Most 15 year olds don't have excess $ to throw around. Some O.J.T. would ceratinly give hime the opportunity to make some money and gain hands on experience before foolisly spends hard earned money on equipment ,molds and plastic.

You're welcome. I have recorded accurate temps. of 1025-1095( in a smaller Lee ladle pot), especialy w/lower lead levels.i have molds that pour well @ 725 ,some @ 870 and 1 P.I.A. that pours well @ 925. Those who skirt the precautions necessary while using molten lead are kidding themselves.

This thread went south since you decided that-no one else. Now that we cleared that up,I stated I gave a way plenty of free baits my 1st two years in business and then wasted my time ,effort and money donating product to local,pro wannabees. I still give free samples w/ orders-get it?? I've never denied that one doesn't have to give free baits as a promotional expense. I'm not intersted in becoming the #3-4- or even 100th ranking.soft-bait producer. I'm a small ,custom manufacturer and will stay that way w/ no plans to move up to the next level.The numbers simply don't add up and i don't want any more pressure. I have 30 years of self-employed contracting business experience and read people very well- especially the gimme,el cheapo crowd.They're a dime a dozen and most come out of the same mold . I'll stand by my advice I gave the 15 years old. Education and /or a professional trade 1st.. Once established, then dabble in lure manufacturing. Possibly it may develope into a good retirement type of business.Someone would have tp be willing to invest 1K (for him to basically get started now )and knowledgable/experienced to explain the dangers associated w/ plastisol , lead and the proper safety requirements. Since you brought it up,I'll deviate a bit from the topic BTW-not all Pro's get all the free baits they want and paid to use them-the top dogs get a percentage of the company's net profits. Small to medium size lure companies would go broke quickly if they gave copious amounts of free product and paid all pro's and pro wanabees to use their baits.If being a Pro Bass Fisherman was so profitable, they why do they have to drive their BM&T rigs around the country themselves? Look into the Ranger boat sposoring program and find out how it really works.Very,very few Pro's reach the top of the financial rainbow.Those that do may receive somewhat of a lucrative endorsement(s)- but i don't see any of them owning a Tiger Woods Yacht Large lure manufacturing companies cannot afford millions of $ handed out to Pro's and that's business fact!

i use a calbraited,digital pyrometer w/ an imersion probe to check molten lead temps . It's very easy for a Lee pot to exceed 900 degrees.

The complete reference to the statement you quoted is- "i gave out plenty of baits when I fished tournaments from '89-'91- including the Red Man circut. A stone cold,waste of time,effort and money" There were other circuts where I gave out dozens of spinner baits and jigs over a 2 year period.. I don't speak w/out the data and experience to back it up. Again- a stone cold,waste of time ,money and effort I currently provide samples w/ orders only. My business model works well.

They use chelation theapy to remove excess lead from your blood.

Your statement is absolutly incorrect. Go back and re-read my post #27. you missed the 1st sentence.

Lead posioning from fumes is a stark reality that can happen when melting lead w/out proper ventilation.

Somehow these tournament anglers think they deserve a bunch of free baitsI Free baits usually end up in the bottom of their tackle box unless they read about them in FLW and/or Bassmaster. since most of them are followers. Give them one or two baits then offer them a discount to purchase more. Most of the time they come down w/ a severe case of the "broken arm syndrome" reaching for their wallet. Edited for additional content

Hold on there- some kitchen fan hoods do not vent to the outside.

Respectfully Mike, My advise to the 15 years old is to apply yourself in school and study if college is not in your future/affordable, then learn a trade/profession- Electrician,HVAC,Insurance. Learn and study your preferred trade and learn it well. Once you're established and making a good living,then dabble in lure making as a hobby. The money you'll spend on education learning a trade will result in a good income and will far surpass the small income and aggrevation from a lure manufracturing business.You'll be hard pressed to even begin supporting a family w/ all asssociated expenses from a small,lure manufacturing business. There is a fine line between producing quality vs. quanity and the fixed expenses of a legitimate ,small manufacturing business accumulate quickly during which time,sustainable profit is basically non-existent.Re-investing the profits for 5-7 years may lead to your success but there are ceratinly no guarantees in the business world- especially the cutthroat tackle business. You'll need a main source of sustainable income to have the extra $ to invest and develop your own tackle business. It's healthy to dream but please understand ,reality and the lack of financial capital can quickly ruin one's self-employed business dreams. You may wish to consider taking an evening course in small business to fully understand the intricacies of starting and sustaining a small business.

I gave out plenty of free samples for almost 2 years.The gimme,gimme crowd is 95% cheap and 5% reaspectful that will eventually buy your baits.i gave out plenty of baits when I fished tournaments from '89-'91- including the Red Man circut. A stone cold,waste of time,effort and money i get e-mails all the time from tournament teenagers to Pro-wanabees wanting me to sponsor them. One line that stands out from the rest is and appears in all of the e-mails is-"I love your baits" My reply,"if you love them so much then why isn't your name on my customer data base?" I only give limited soft-bait samples w/ orders- it has paid huge dividends w/ loyal customers who truly appreciate the samples.

Sally Hanson's works well but you'll need to give the threads 24-48 hrs. for the solvent smell to disapate. Try Pro's soft bait glue 1st,then coat w/ Sally Hanson's for an impenatrable,extremely durable finish. Component systems makes a one step seal coat. I cannot speak for its effectiveness on jig threads