General Newbie Questions on Molds and so forth

[CGL PITS]

I'm in the process of starting to pour my own plastics and have some general questions to help me start off the the right direction.

1. Aluminum or plastic molds for Senko's style baits which is better for detail to minmic Gary's baits the best for fall, action and size (Taper ends)? I mainly use the 3", 4" & 5" sizes for smallies.
   
2. Types of plastic, just looking for opinions on what you guys like and don't like. Thers are so many different type of plastic don't know what to go with. I know it's probably like beer but just figured i would ask.
   
3. Microwave or stove top?
   
4. I'm also looking for a fluke style bait the doesn't have the slit in the bait for the hook. The ones i like to use used to be that way and they all seam to have the hook slit. I have found that the whole body holds up better for me.
   
5. Thermometer candy or point and shoot lazer for temp reads.
   
6. Tips on pouring lam's. I have looked over several threads that states a heat gun is the way to go. I don't want to be rushed to get the second color in and i think from you guys the heat gun method would be the way to go for me and my son. I have also seen some swirled senkos in the gallery and was wondering how you guys pull that off.
   
7. Any other tips and tools you guys can share would be great.

I have some of the tools and just need to finilize a list so that he and i can get started and have something to do this winter when it snows and there is nothing better to do. If i need to steel my wife Microwave and get her a new one i don't think she will mind. If the burner is the way to go then thats i another story. I was also wondering how it's done in the MW. If you have to sture the plastic constantly then how can you do that in a MW the way you could on the stove top. Just looking for some help and advise.

[BassnRandy]

You can find alot of the info you need in the first three threads of this forum. Alot of what you use is going to be based on personal experience. We all have our favorite plastic and molds ect. I love Aluminum molds but have a few plaster molds That I think pour a better bait. I use M-F plastic but buy it 5 gallons at a time. You might want to start by getting your supplies at Lurecraft. You can buy plastic in smaller amounts and everything else you need with out breaking the bank to start. they mave molds from $9 - $12 average that make great baits. I use the stove top for multi color pours, the microwave for general pouring and I just got a lee pot for mass producing sticks. You will have to find what is best for you. I never use a thermomitor. Learned my microwave andwhat the plastic looks like and pours like. If you add salt it all changes as salt will thicken it up and change the boiling point (DON"T BOIL YOUR PLASTIC!) which changes heating rates slightly. Be patient and do lots of searches in this forum. As I learned and am still learning this is not an overnight sucess story.