pluraloffant Posted March 1, 2009 Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 Hey folks, I'm new around here but have become very interested in everything you guys do. Some of the stuff here is amazing. I am looking into getting started with pouring my own soft plastics. I have searched around here quite a bit but havent really found what im lookin for. What would be a decent bare minimum start up kit. Iv been lookin at the del-mart 2 piece aluminum stick bait mold. What I am not sure about is what plastic additives i will need. I know i need the salt for stik baits.. but if i get the calhoun plastic, will i need softener? I also would like to try to make my own tubes at some point.. from what i read i think i will need hardener for that? What about the heat stabilizer is that needed? Or will i be ok if im careful with temp settings? I plan to use somthing similiar to the presto pot rigs i see some people using. I will have very good heat control. If i need 350F it will be 350F. Sorry for the noob questions. But i couldnt really find any posts covering some of these basics.. thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zbass Posted March 1, 2009 Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 Welcome to the sickness plural! This is a very fun and rewarding "hobby"! The first thing I will tell you is that you should look up bojon on this site for all your tube making needs. The man has been making tubes for years and has all the info and stuff you will need. Great guy! As far as the sticks go, you may try to get a small sample of the calhouns and the lurecraft plastics. bearsbaits has calhouns and lurecraft will probably send you a small sample. See what works best for you. I use LC 536 and do not add softner, but I do add heat stablizer. Calhouns, you will need to add softner to the soft plastic, but the heat stabilizer is already in the plastic. As far as a starter kit, I think lurecraft has one that is reasonable. Del used to have a stick starter kit as well. Hope this helps Zbass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finfever Posted March 2, 2009 Report Share Posted March 2, 2009 I use calhouns and don't add softner, sticks come out soft and limp. If you start adding salt you will want to add softner. You will want to add scent to cover the plastic smell, at least i do. Yes del still has a stick kit and others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gone2long Posted March 2, 2009 Report Share Posted March 2, 2009 I am just getting started as well. Before I knew about this site I bought the lurecraft starter kit and was very happy with the results. They provide a pint of 502 and a pint of 536 so you get an idea of strengths. I threw their pour pans away, also for the amount you will be pouring with this kit get a pyrex measuring cup and do it in the microwave very fast and easy to do. Again as everone states here make sure you shake the daylights out of your bottle before pouring, with the kit it will be easy to indentify when your done because they ship the bottles on their side so you can see the settled material. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pluraloffant Posted March 3, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2009 thanks for the replies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macbor Posted March 4, 2009 Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 Hey, Del's starter kit, works great to get you going...I bought 3 of them..:-P Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
