GB44 Posted December 30, 2007 Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 Hello - First time here for me...... I'm a physcial education teacher and just recently started an Outdoor Education class......pretty cool 'cause I get to teach fishing! Anyway, I'm wondering if it's a good idea to teach pouring soft plastics to my students. The students are juniors and seniors. I think they'd get a kick out of it, but I'm not sure if it's too dangerous to do in a school setting? We have ventilated area's, goggles, and aprons, but I'm not sure if I want to risk having an accident?? We'd be using hot plates to heat the plastic. I've got the molds, plastisol, hot plates, colors, glitter, heat stabilizer, softner. What advice do you all have for me? Oh, I'm pretty new to all this too! Thanks. Grant Belisle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted December 30, 2007 Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 Grant. From your TU name, I am assuming that you are in the UK, why not take the time to fill in your profile, it will help people understand your situation better. I think it is really cool idea to make lures with kids. It would set them off in the right direction regards safety procedures. Your problem is going to be the education authority. They are unlikely to grant you permission, but you never know, their might be an angler on the board. Even before they grant permission, it will have to be declared to the schools insurance companies. Do NOT proceed without permission, you will open yourself to all kinds of problems should something bad happen. I sincerely hope that you do get the go ahead on this one, as some of the students will possibly take up pouring on their own and will have missed out on the safety aspects of the persuit. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KcDano Posted December 30, 2007 Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 If plastic pouring is determined not appropriate for school curriculum. There are less hazardous aspects of lure building such as constructing wood crankbaits provided that you use non-solvent based paints to finish the lure. Who knows you might even get the adminstrator of the site or some of suppliers who visit to sponsor you effort. It truly would be a investment in the future! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GB44 Posted December 30, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 My school said it was a 'go' Keep the advice coming!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
braveviper Posted December 30, 2007 Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 There are wood shops,metal shops in schools..why not.My High school had a plastic shop where we melted down plastic pellets to make pen holders and stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KcDano Posted December 30, 2007 Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 In addition, there could be some members of TU in your location that might come to your school and share their knowledge in the craft of lure building. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDC Posted December 30, 2007 Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 I would say yes as long as there is a very controlled environment and your class is not too large. I would think most juniors and seniors in HS would understand the consequences of getting 350* glue on them. I don't think I'd have it set up like a lab with multiple hotplates going at the same time, either. Maybe just one 'pouring station' that you could supervise closely. Sounds like you have already considered the PSE that would be needed. My son is 15, and I allow him to pour as long as I am out there with him. He has also seen what happens when it gets on you. Luckily, for him, it was on me. I think it would be a good way to introduce them to fishing and give them a sense of accomplishment to catch a fish on their own creation. If circumstances allow, you could have them pour a few of their own baits and then have a fieldtrip to the local pond. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted December 30, 2007 Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 That is great news, congratulations. Now, as you are new to pouring, you need to research every aspect of the safety. The members here are very pro safety. so, a search or two should get you the information. At the top of the plastic forum page is an excellent starting place, 'don'ts for newbies', three pages of valuable tips. I'm sure a few extra tips will be forthcomming on this thread too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDC Posted December 30, 2007 Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 Ya'll type much faster than I do. I forgot to add that they allow high speed lathes and table saws in the other vocational classes. Let us know how it goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted December 30, 2007 Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 Grant. Many thanks for filling in the profile, good man. I just wish everyone would. Many people are overly paranoid. When you get started with the class, take lots of photo's of the proceedings and the results and start a new thread. This could start a new trend that can only be good for the sport. You could even take the class through the whole process, each student could design a lure, mould it, pour it, fish it and if they catch anything, they will be hooked for life! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDC Posted December 30, 2007 Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 Grant. Many thanks for filling in the profile, good man. I just wish everyone would. Many people are overly paranoid. Filled mine in Vodkaman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GB44 Posted December 30, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 This is great guys (& gals if you're out there)! I've been reading old post's and threads....lots of great info! I'm keeping notes too! I'll do a search on safety next. Step by step instructions would be great if anyone has them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsworms Posted December 30, 2007 Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 Hate to play devil's advocate here, but I'm just glad you guys don't live in California. There is NO WAY a soft plastics class would be allowed here. All it would take is one kid to burn a finger and a bloody mess would begin. Students being sent home, parents suing teachers, schools, etc. Parents claiming their kids will be "forever distraught over such a horrible ordeal". Don't wanna get started on a political debate here, but my God.......California is so lame. ......And yes......we do have woodworking classes and such. It's just that this is something new, and the flaming ( ) here would never allow it! Wow......sorry for the flamefest. Didn't mean to do that. All you have to do is read my signature and you know where I stand on this issue. So my opinion on this subject? GO FOR IT.......(just not in California). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike-A-Pike Posted December 30, 2007 Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 Grant. There are any number of guides in Wisconsin that take time out to help promote fishing to kids and teens. In the Wausau area, there is a guide named Justin Gaiche who actively gets involved with Jr. High kids and actually had an Ice (fishing) Bowl between two schools. Do a search for WI Musky (or fishing) reports and it should pull up at least 20 different local area guides. Normally, you can count on them to give back to the community if you give them enough lead time. Another lure making area that might work pretty good is spinner bait making, the simple Mepps Aglia Long Plain Treble. Another thought, Mepps US headquarter is based out of Antigo, WI. shep@mepps.com is listed as there POC. The company is also tightly associated Mr.Twister these days. It may be a source for your class. In the spring, a day on the water or two might add to the to the experience if the students can catch a few fish on their baits and lures Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbroggi1 Posted December 30, 2007 Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 GB I think if you take normal precautions it wouldnt be any differnt than a home eck. Not much differnt than dealing with hot grease. I just did a demo at a recent Jr Bassmaster meeting and I find by using the Presto Pot it takes alot of the hot plastic handleing and transfer out of the equation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassnRandy Posted December 30, 2007 Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 GB44: I am a guide, tourny fisherman and of course i try to be a bait maker, plus between state associations and the tournament circuits I know alot of people. I am in Stevens point and might be able to help you out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolinamike Posted December 30, 2007 Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 GB44 - Sounds like a great idea. Keep 'em off the streets and on the water. Make sure all your safety aspects are covered including proper ventilation, that is very important. Remember hot plastic does not fall off, if you get it on your hand and wipe it off with your other hand, you got burned twice. Been there, done that and got a t-shirt. You really could string this thing out all year long though, if they design their bait, build a prototype, make a mold and then pour the end result, it should give them something to really look forward to. We need more classes like this. If nothing else, something to compete with the video game industry. There's a lot of different tools and a lot of different ways to make prototypes, one way that would be fun and easy for the kids is to get a couple of the small (2)AA powered braided fishing line cutter, all that happens is the tip heats up to cut the line. You can take an assortment of different plastic baits and take parts from these, use the line cutter to weld the parts together, then make POP molds of the prototypes. Sounds like they have a great teacher. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cullin8s Posted December 30, 2007 Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 Gotta be safer than Welding, and they let school kids do that, sounds like a great idea to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike-A-Pike Posted December 30, 2007 Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 Grant. As a former training developer, give a shout if you need any help laying out your plan of instruction. Factors that will need to be timed out will figure around melting time, how many students in groups, etc. I don't pour plastics, but it seems like melting it can take just 3 or 4 minutes in a microwave. I have never gotten a feel for how long to melt it via hot plate... The presto pot seems like a pretty smart way to go. I feel sorry for a scince teacher I had. After a long drawn out technical explination and detailed process and then it failed. As much as possible, make sure the objective is obtainable given time, equipment, and personnel constraints. MAN, WHY CAN'T I HAVE BEEN IN YOUR CLASS 35 YEARS AGO.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HookUp Posted December 31, 2007 Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 Why stop at plastic pouring? Spinnerbaits, crank baits, jigs ... if your system allows, the world is your oyster. Good luck and thank you for educating the youth of tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GB44 Posted December 31, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 Hey, I really appreciate the input! I really do have a good thing going here.....lucky guy. After making these baits, my next project (a different class altogether) is to build fishing rods. Kids sure seem excited about it. I like the idea of designing their own baits (many of my students start this class not knowing the difference between a bass - walleye - musky - bluegill!!). I'm sure the kids would put a lot work into them. Catching a fish on them later in the course would be icing on the cake! The Presto pot is a great idea! One or two locations of hot plastic sure sounds better than 10! Spike - I may take you up on helping with an instruction plan. Having the correct steps written down sure would be helpful! (I wonder what the bass will think when we drop a soft plastic worm down the ice-fishing hole!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmik26 Posted December 31, 2007 Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 Step by step instructions would be great if anyone has them? I think its great that your putting this together for the kids. Materials needed for this would be: Decent microwave that you can pick up for 25-50 dollars. Pyrex or Anchor glass measuring cup. Glove for handling hot measuring cups and safety. Safety glasses Mold Metal mixing stick Plastic manufacture of your choice. Colorant manufacture of your choice. Glitter of your choice. Salt Worm scent Heat stabilizer Resources www.lurecraft.com http://www.del-mart.com/shop/home.php http://www.fishingworld.com/M-F-Manufacturing/ http://www.shawncollinscustoms.com/ http://www.bobstackleshack.com/ http://www.barlowstackle.com/ http://senkosam.tripod.com/ http://zeiners.safeshopper.com/381/cat381.htm?123/ For beginners, one color that would be great to start off with is green pumpkin with black flake. LC, MF, and Delmarts green pumpkin are pretty closes to each other and it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickcalderone Posted December 31, 2007 Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 BRAVO GB44! I applaud you in your efforts! The kids today need a constructive hobby that doesn't involve drugs or guns...or sitting infront of a videogame! Sounds like you have a pretty good grasp on things, but we are here to help if you need us! Of course, I have to bring up the safety issue...YOU CANNOT BE TOO CAREFUL! This stuff is between 350 - 400 degrees F. (Believe me...it is no joke when it hits your skin) I got my 16 year old nephew into pouring and he loves it! He and I fish when we can, but when we can't, he always wants uncle Nick to help him pour new baits! My sister actually took the time to thank me over dinner one night for getting him into such constructive hobby. First and foremost though, before the first drop of plastic was ever even poured with him, I drilled him on any and all aspects of safety. I can't stress this enough. Kids will be kids sometimes and accidents do happen...heck, I can remember how clumsy I was at his age. Anyway, my hats off to you and a big thumbs up! Who knows, maybe you will start a nationwide trend...except maybe for California. (That was just a joke to those who are reading this in California) (*legal disclaimer...no reference was made that any activity conducted in California is less than or greater to activities in any other state...not all states will participate...see local government for details...some assembly required...batteries not included) Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basskat Posted December 31, 2007 Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 For the past four years I've gone to the local Boy Scouts camp and demonstrated the hobby of pouring soft plastic baits. There's somewhere in the neighborhood of fifty boys. The day after this they use these baits fishing in the thirty acre lake there at the camp that is stocked full of bass. On the average I'll have no less than five parents call after camp wanting to know where to get supplies and the how to of making soft plastic. It's a neat hobby for kids with minimal risks. Keep up the good work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GB44 Posted January 2, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2008 When using a Presto Pot, how long does it take to get the plastic up to 300-350? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
