Tiderunner

After trying other brands, I have almost exclusively used M-F through the years. I'm also on a quest for a quality plastisol Your question about a phthalate free plastic though had me doing some research. I did find that Do It and LureCraft both sell a "Phthalate Free" plastisol. A bit pricier than other suppliers but on par with what M-F prices were. With LureCraft their smallest container was 5 gallons. LureCrast's price for 5 gallons was about the same as Do-It for 2 gallons.

Thanks. The investment isn't outrageous, and a lot of places sell them. Lowes ,Home Depot, Wally World. Don't need one with all the sausage attachments. So I guess I'll give it a try.

It's the time of year when I get ready to amp up production to keep me sane all winter. After looking at the hand grinders, I'm guessing I still have to cut up the pucks small enough to go through. But once I start grinding, will the plastic go through the plate? The thing with the little holes? Or is there some sort of trick to this?

I plan to reply. As soon as I can figure out how to explain what I'm trying to do. Sometimes the ideas in the head don't always come out the way we visualize them.

The response from Lureworks. Yes, any of our colorants labeled as “dye” will bleed or migrate through out a soft bait regardless of any other additives. Depending on your laminate combination it may or may not be that noticeable. But the tint side will loose some strength over time as the dye migrates to the other side trying to reach even disbursement in the entire bait. Meanwhile the other side will take in the dye until there is equilibrium in the concentration of the dye in the bait. Unfortunately there is no way around this. If you let me know what your trying to achieve by adding the dye I might be able to give an alternate recommendation.

Been there done that.Had a Watermelon Green , white pearl laminate. After curing for about 5 days. Went to the work bench to bag 'em up. And the WM bled into the white. No indication the WMG was a bleeder until I check other bottle from the same supplier that had this after the color..NB. The one watermelon didn't have it. I guess I never noticed because I usually only made solid WM. Only combo I've ever had bleed. Been looking around on the internet comparing colors side by side. I have found some that are close. But not transparent. Then again, you can't trust a picture either.

Thanks everybody. I guess there is no sense in experimenting with that bait, unless I make small batches to use right away. And of course I probably still experiment. I've got nothing but time on my hands after the holidays. Gonna have to test different brands of plastisol, so it might be a good time to learn about dyes. What I can and cannot use then for, and the limitations. Never used them before. In the meantime I'll keep looking for alternatives.

The bigger question then is, to what extent will suck a tiny amount bleed?I have sent an email to Lureworks with these same questions. It's been a few days now. So I'll await their answer. The color in question is Cherry Red Dye 120

I know the difference between dyes and colorants. I know that dyes bleed, and some more than others. What I'm trying to figure out is If a dye is used to blend with a non bleed colorant. Will there still be some color bleed from the dye? There is a color I am trying to blend mostly made from a non bleed colorant but I need a dye to tint it a tiny bit. It is a laminate type bait. Will that tiny bit of dye bleed into the second color used? Anyone here have any experience using the dyes and colorants together? I'm wondering is the non bleed will encapsulate, so to speak, the dye to prevent bleed. I guess the best way to find out is to go ahead and make a small number of baits. A small investment. But if anyone can answer that. Let me know Thanks

I have ordered a few of the MF exclusive colors from Zeiners. MF is the only supplier that has a very specific color that I use almost all the time. The webiste is showing my color is in stock, so I may just go ahead bite the bullet and order a pint. I;ll report back.

I hate to revive an old thread, but I'm guessing MF is gone forever? I was able to get one order in, and haven't been able to get anything from them since February of 24. Website just shows pretty much everything as Sold Out.

And with the money you save, you'll be able to by more molds! And down the rabbit hole you go. Just like the rest of us.

I'm close to that same ratio. I'll use that amount to drop my MF medium to soft. If I'm adding salt or glass beading or even floating additive, I adjust from there. I'll even add softener to the soft blends when using additives. As far as using the same brand softener in like brand plastic, I wouldn't worry too much. I've been mixing and matching for years without issue. I don't want to keep buying more softener every time a manufacturer changes formula for their plastisol, and I change brands. I just use what I have whatever I have on hand. Example- I have almost exclusively used MF plastisol. But I can't get it anymore. I had also tried Dead On, and bought their softener to go with it. When I was able to get MF again, I just used Dead On Softener in my MF. No problems. Same with Bait Plastics. I used either MF or Do It brand of softener, no issues then either. Now I can't get MF again But still have at least a quart of Dead On softener. Don't know what platic I'll get to replace the MF, but I won't spend$$ for new softener. Same with Hardener. I've tried them all. I have LureCraft. I hate it because of the color and smell, so I tried Do It Crystal Clear. Worked fine in whatever plastic I was using. Others may have had different results. This is only my experience. Best I can tell you is, experiment And have fun.

Thanks you Sir! Saw your post and already ordered.

Much appreciated. I didn't find it there either.That's why I thought it might be the powder paint. If they no longer carry it, I can always try the Spike It brand.