Jig Man Posted November 20, 2008 Report Share Posted November 20, 2008 I have been using hot plates for many years but decided to try micro wave melting. I really like the convenience and speed of it, BUT I am getting air bubbles. Am I cooking too long or what? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Prager Posted November 20, 2008 Report Share Posted November 20, 2008 Could be that. Try nuking 1 cup for 2 minutes on high (with color) stir and do 30 second blasts with stirring after each blast. Add flake and pour Also make sure your plastic containers are stored with the lids on tight. Moisture will cause bubble also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jig Man Posted November 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2008 I have been doing smaller quantities and starting with 1 minute then 30 seconds stir 30 seconds stir etc. to about 3 minutes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smallie Posted November 21, 2008 Report Share Posted November 21, 2008 I found my digital infrared thermometer to be invaluable to controlling my plastic temps in the microwave. Even though I have gotten a good feel for "how many seconds more' will get me to the temp I want, the thermometer gives you complete control against over heating. You can get one on eBay or other web sources for about 35.00 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pastorshane Posted November 21, 2008 Report Share Posted November 21, 2008 Are you using salt? Salt draws moisture. For me if I don't stir enough or to fast with salt in the plastic it will bubble. If you have bubbles just let the plastic sit until the bubbles are gone. Then reheat slowly and stir it well. For me stirring to fast or not enough has caused bubbles, besides your ocassional bubble here and there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jig Man Posted November 21, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2008 Are you using salt? Salt draws moisture. For me if I don't stir enough or to fast with salt in the plastic it will bubble. If you have bubbles just let the plastic sit until the bubbles are gone. Then reheat slowly and stir it well. For me stirring to fast or not enough has caused bubbles, besides your ocassional bubble here and there. No I am not using salt in this bait. This is a winter bait and several are rigged in advance for those cold windy days and I don't want rusty hooks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piscivorous Pike Posted November 21, 2008 Report Share Posted November 21, 2008 I found my digital infrared thermometer to be invaluable to controlling my plastic temps in the microwave. Even though I have gotten a good feel for "how many seconds more' will get me to the temp I want, the thermometer gives you complete control against over heating.You can get one on eBay or other web sources for about 35.00 This thread caught my attention as I have recently switched to micro wave heating only. I was heating virgin liquid plastics about 1 minute in a warm pryex cup to 1.5 minutes in a cold cup, sometimes with chopped up re-used plastic or just using re-used plastic until it will pour and then putting it into a 2 cup sauce pan on a glass top electric stove, I would bring the temperature up to 350 stiring it all the time (it scortched easy). I controlled temperature by stiring constantly with a candy thermometer. This always leaves some left over in the pyrex cup, naturally, and then in the metal sauce pan after the first transfer. The problems is the last pour you have double the waste to keep for a remelt or if you had a few molds to pour the metal pan cools off too fast. The pyrex stays at an even heat for a long time. The metal sauce pan also needed heat from 325 F to 350 F to keep pourable over a long enough time, I have problems with 2-piece molds and thin fins and tails which require vacuum venting/injection to fill out. Heat over 325 darkened my flourescent green and turned flo. pink into TOMATOE! I want PINK! I never thought about the infrared digital thermometer. Nor did I consider a thermistor! I have Omega scientific grade thermistors on 70 feet of cable I used before the digital submersible depth and temperature units that tell the temp at any depth electronically with a memory after lowering on a line came along. Here is the the best solution that has been under my nose and if it were not for this thread I would not have put 2+2 together. A DMM, digital multi-meter, that measures all electonic function, light, sound, humidity, ambient and probe temperatures. I have measured solder iron tip temps with it, why not Plastisol for under $30 with coupons and sales and such? Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices (search thermometer for all the stand-off tools, good prices and selection) Every time I come back to TU I learn something or am inspired. this is going to save me mess and time. I got good pours from my pyrex cup out of the micro wave at 230-250 degrees and it saved my PINK color too. For now I am all micro wave. I can keep more than one color and several pyrex cups going with the micro wave too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GB GONE Posted November 21, 2008 Report Share Posted November 21, 2008 Forgive me if this is listed in the posts prior but I just have a few minutes... Make sure you are stirring with something metal and not a wooden stick or popsicle stick. These will cause bubbles. In addition, if you store your plastic in a cold area, moisture can results from sudden temperature difference when heating in the mic and you will get some bubbles. Just thoughts... Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jig Man Posted November 22, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 22, 2008 Thanks a lot for the info. guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bojon Posted November 22, 2008 Report Share Posted November 22, 2008 When I heat the plastic in the micro wave,I do use a hobby stick to stir the plastic.There will be bubbles,but when you stir the plastic when it is in the pot(using the same stick)they vanish in a few seconds.I also leave the stick in the plastic to act as a heat sink.I haven't had a scorched batch,or a bubble in the thousands of tubes I have dipped for over 20 years.I instuct the many tube makers that have bought my DVD and Ebookto follow my adive,and have yet to hear of any problems.Only problems I have heard were by using craft store glitter,or remelts.Not the heating process.If there is anyone,who I have helped get started that has had a problem,I would very much like to hear from you all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crappieslab Posted December 3, 2008 Report Share Posted December 3, 2008 When I first started I started with a microwave and I have a little insite. 1st, cook times vary because of different wattages of microwaves, higher the watts = shorter cook times. (vary important) I use one I bought from walmart that is 1100 watts and for 8oz in pyrex cup it take about 2-2 1/2 mins.. 2nd, I use a flat brass bar about 1/8th by 1/4 inch that I bought at a ace true value hardware store and never had any bubbles in my solid body crappie jigs. Hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murray2104 Posted December 6, 2008 Report Share Posted December 6, 2008 Can I ask why people in general seem so concerned with air bubbles in a solid or hollow bait? Are the air bubbles causing structural problems? Ive never worried about it much personally, after all I am just shoving a tube jig weight inside and sending it to the bottom anyway. JM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pastorshane Posted December 8, 2008 Report Share Posted December 8, 2008 One reason is if your selling baits, the fish may not care if it has bubbles, but the customer will. Especially if they compare yours to the mass market brands. Believe it or not some guy's won't even give your hand pours a second look if they don't appear perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murray2104 Posted December 8, 2008 Report Share Posted December 8, 2008 One reason is if your selling baits, the fish may not care if it has bubbles, but the customer will. Especially if they compare yours to the mass market brands. Believe it or not some guy's won't even give your hand pours a second look if they don't appear perfect. I absolutely understand this!! I was just wondering if there was a reason other than asthetics (sp?) Just trying to learn more JM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pastorshane Posted December 8, 2008 Report Share Posted December 8, 2008 Not that I know of. I will sometimes keep and use some baits with air bubbles and small imperfections when I get them and they seem to catch fish all the same, as the ones I send to customers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
