Artificial All The Way Posted March 24, 2008 Report Share Posted March 24, 2008 And man did I screw up. Not once, not twice, three times in a row. I made a plaster mold. 2 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pastorshane Posted March 24, 2008 Report Share Posted March 24, 2008 you don't want it to boil. You are looking for 280-325 degrees, in most cases. I think your problem is the old plastic, which I don't recomend. Its a differant grade of plastic, and its just junk to work with. Try 4 oz of plastic, heat it in a micro for a minute, check, heat another minute and check. Stir well, when its clearer and thicker heat it 30 seconds or so, just do it in short bursts so you don't burn it you want it to be a warm syrap thickness. Add color and pour. Give it a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legendary Posted March 24, 2008 Report Share Posted March 24, 2008 hey yea that really stinks usually you are supposed to heat the plastic for 2 minutes then stir it then reheat for 60 seconds that usual works for me. If it's still not the right consistince add another 60 secs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nova Posted March 24, 2008 Report Share Posted March 24, 2008 Microwaves can be tricky things. I wore out my origional and bought another. I had to learn to use i all over again. They all don't heat the same. I put my plastic in and heat the first blast for 1:30. I stir and heat again at 1:30; stir again. After that I heat at 1 munute, stir and any more heating is done at 30 seconds. This works for me; but it may not work for you. You will have to play around with it until you find your groove. Start with short times at first; then work your way up till you find the optimun time for your micro. Keep us posted. www.novalures.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tman2 Posted March 24, 2008 Report Share Posted March 24, 2008 I'm certainly not an expert, but did you toss the old plastics in whole? or did you tear them up in to smaller pieces? That could create a soft spot in the middle, and the harder outside.. someone correct me if I'm wrong, I'm just a newbie learning the ropes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nova Posted March 24, 2008 Report Share Posted March 24, 2008 It's been so many years since I've melted old plastic I'm not sure. All I remember is that it is very smokey; stinky and messy. I know that almost everyone has done it but take it from me; stay away from it if you can. Buy the proper plastic liquid and do it that way; you'll learn the hobby a lot faster. www.novalures.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickcalderone Posted March 24, 2008 Report Share Posted March 24, 2008 Have you considered buying a cheap hotplate ($10) from Big Lots or Wal -Mart? This might be a better route for you to try. In my opinion, it is more suited for someone who is just starting out. You will have more control over the exact temperature of the plastic and you will be able to almost immediately correct any issues (i.e. overheating) by simply removing the pan from the heat and stirring. *NOTE TO EVERYONE*Before I get attacked by microwave users, I am not saying that a hotplate is in any way, shape or form superior to microwaves...I am just trying to make a suggestion to help this member out. OK? Also, I am not sure how most people feel about this, but, personally I try not to use old plastic worms to remelt as you never know what is in them or if they will mix well with other old plastics...not to mention that they may not contain any type of heat stabilizer which would cause them to scorch easily. Please be careful and remember to KEEP SAFETY A PRIORITY! Wear protective eyewear and gloves when doing this especially using a microwave...and old plastic...in an outbuilding... You are in the right place and you will find nothing but genuinely kind and helpful people here! GOOD LUCK! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Artificial All The Way Posted March 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2008 Thank you very much everyone. I put a 1/3 of a cup in for a minute. Stirred. Another minute and stirred. It was clear by this time. I did another 30 seconds and poured. Very cool. I did think this stuff dried white. It Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nova Posted March 24, 2008 Report Share Posted March 24, 2008 No attack here Nick. I started with a Coleman stove. I use both micro and hotplate. They both have good points and bad points. www.novalures.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
