Painter1

The M38104 is the prescribed hook, but I didn't have any and just used some of what I had. I am interested in finding a light wire hook for rigging a 4.5" centipede. Any thoughts? BTW, I also have a problem with my mold that I will be calling Do-It about. One of the cavities has a flaw that causes lead to leak out on one side.

Looks good, but then you knew that already, since it is obvious. I too had good luck this weekend keeping plastic hot without discoloring and am very glad I changed suppliers. I nuked it to 340 F as usual, and then put it in the Presto. It usually takes me 45 to 80 minutes to run out 12 cups. Nice to get almost caught up on the whites and light smoke colors finally. It is also nice to be able to reheat and add sprues back to the mix.

I received a new batch of Plasitol, from a different manufacturer, and have made Six (6) light or clearish colors this weekend. I used the same methods as I have before without any problems. Color me pleased.

DITTO

I have cut out and glued together a prototype creature bait that I would like to try in a few colors. It has some fine appendages so it will need to be injected. Is this something I should do with RTV silicone? I will probably want to make several of the same molds. As always, your help is appreciated.

Thanks for that info. I plan to contact them.

I still wish someone would tell me who makes the high quality heating pots that are better than Presto. I asked before but was answered with questions. To ALL of you who have helped me, and none more so than Frank, please accept my thanks and my gratitude. I continue to learn and find you guys on this forum invaluable. We may frustrate each other but I think that is just the nature of typed communication. It would be my privilege to buy the first round if/when we get a chance to meet.

Kajan, I love your (Bears) stir paddles. My color change was very quick and it turned more of a sickly green from pearl white.

I finished a making detailed plastic bait using heated tools and small knives. . How do I make injection molds to make more of these. It has some detailed Sci-Fi appendages, LOL.

I really am not trying to be a pain but must admit to being frustrated. At least Two (2) contributors have written of "better pots" and Rite Hete being one of them. Well then what are the other options? There are guys like Frank, laying it all out there and sharing. Please speak plainly if you know of something better. BTW, not very happy with my Rite Hete pot.

"The fun part, trying to figure out how to make money and make the lures"I Amen, brother.

Thank you, Frank. That is very useful information and I really appreciate your constructive and helpful post.

H'mmm, thought I saw a video with you using those dinner pots. Please share if you know of a better pot system.

Would that be a Rite-Hete brand pot? Thick walled, with heating elements on sides, bottom and spout? Or did you have something else in mind?

Yes, you slip them over the fiber weed guards and then bake the jigs. The problem, in my experience, is that the weed guards still deform. That's why I don't plan to use them again.

I have a bunch of the blue tubes that slip over the fiber brush-guards. You slip these over the guards and powder paint as usual. Give me your address and I will send you some.

Jeff, I ordered 5 gallons of your super soft, which is on the way already. I need to make colors like white, light smoke, light blue and light lavender. I have single and double (Bears Shooting Star) presto pot setups. I typically cook the plastic in the microwave in 6 to 8 cup batches and then place it in the presto pot. I need to keep the color stable for up to an hour. Any tips to prevent discoloration are most welcome.

Tonight I made a 6 cup batch of white - no flake. I heated it slowly at low power and stirred it a lot. It took me 21 minutes to empty the pot after getting the material to 312F. The plastic consistently took on a green cast that darkened by the minute. The first 24 baits are pearly and bright. The last 24 are a sickly pale green. I used this same CC plastic last winter without these problems. It is a poor mechanic who blames his tools or material but I can tell you I won't be ordering any plastic from CC again, any time soon. I have no idea what they changed but have another brand on the way.

"Not sure what CC is but of you over heat any brand you will get this yellowing, the pearl may easily be the problem and hot microwaves." I kept very good track of the temperatures (as recorded in 1st post) and never let the plastics get hotter than needed. Are you saying that the microwave is the problem? If not using a microwave how do you reuse the sprue and injector plugs?

I am having a lot of trouble with color change or "ambering". Please see example picture below. Details for this pour; 8 cups CC soft clear heated in microwave. Initial heat 10 minutes brought to gel stage. Two intervals of 1 minute each and One interval of 30 seconds brought temp to 312F. Added 2 tsp heat stabilizer and colorant (white pearlescent + violet hi-lite + black & purple flake). poured into Presto Pot (pre-heated to 200F) and turned on stirrer. 5-10 minutes temperature at 305F (I decided to keep plastic at the cool edge of usability because of previous "ambering") and I started shooting with injector. 1st color is the result and what I wanted. After demolding I heated the sprues and the cold plugs from the injector in the microwave to 310F and added it to the pot (approx 1.5 cups). 2nd round of baits was discolored & 3rd batch is what you see here. I got disgusted and stopped at that point. I did reheat the sprues and plugs between each batch.

Interesting idea. So if I understand correctly, 10 min @ 170, 10min @ 240 & 20min @350.

Thanks for that tip. I ordered the TJ's powder airbrush but they are back-ordered.

What about using a salt shaker to paint each side of the spoon a different color? Does that work or build up too much material?

This is a good tip and it works well. I keep a rag handy and wipe the partially cooled plastic away from the our spout after each mold.

Good stuff, guys. Many thanks