JD Posted February 13, 2004 Report Share Posted February 13, 2004 Hi all, I'm new here. I've been doing alot of great reading from this site. Today, I finally got my LC supplies. I mixed : 4 oz total of ~35% salt mix with 35 drops black and 1/8 tsp green flake. I cooked in microwave covered in Saran wrap for 30 second intervals mixing well in between. But, I forgot to add the heat stabilizer. I poured 2 lizards, 3 sluggo-type baits, and 8 stick baits and let the remaining 2oz set up in the Pyrex. The problem was I couldn't get the plastic to flow very well into my plaster 2-sided stick mold. Was it the lack of heat stabilizer and/or not cooked enough? Thanks, JD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BumBaits Posted February 13, 2004 Report Share Posted February 13, 2004 Hello JD, Was it lumpy or REAL thick ? May not have been cooked long enough. The plasitc goes through a few stages as it is cooked and when it is ready to pour it should flow easily. I mostly pour saltwater baits which have quite a bit of hardner in them along with stabilizer and it takes it a good bit of heat to get liquified. One thing you have to watch is the burning. Using a microwave, as I do, gets you to the pouring temp, around 350 degrees, pretty quick but just a little bit over that can send you out with some smelly plastic. Good luck...practice makes perfect ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JD Posted February 13, 2004 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2004 Hello Bum, I believe it was past the lumpy stage and liquified somewhat, but I didn't seem to have very much time to pour before I had to re-heat. Do you stir with a candy thermometer? Thanks JD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BumBaits Posted February 13, 2004 Report Share Posted February 13, 2004 I stir with a plastic utensil my wife bought at a pampered chef party a while back...Works Great. When you get to the point where the plastic liquid and ready to pour you should be able to pour several baits before reheating. When you reheat make sure, depending on your microwave, you dont cook to long. It just takes some practice...You'll get there. I imagine some of the veterans on this site will chime in with some great pointers as well. Good Luck, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish_N_Fool Posted February 13, 2004 Report Share Posted February 13, 2004 It sounds to me like you didn't get it hot enough. It should just start to smoke when at the right temp. It is very hard to controll the temp. in a micowave. You are better off to heat it in the micowave to get it melted then pour it in a pot that you put on a burner to keep at the right temp. Hope that helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siebler_custom_baits Posted February 13, 2004 Report Share Posted February 13, 2004 I never cover my plastic with saran wrap or anything. I have had problems with my 2 piece molds too. try making the pour hole larger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delw Posted February 13, 2004 Report Share Posted February 13, 2004 Becareful coving it with seranwrap. you will get moisture in it. and if the water droplets hit the plastic it will explode. More like violent bubbling, moisture is a bad thing to mix with plastic. One problem you could have is that when you are pouring a 2 piece mold your covering the whole inlet hole, this wont allow air to escape, try pouring on once side of the whole slowly. Delw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southeasttexas Posted February 13, 2004 Report Share Posted February 13, 2004 Bum I like your mullet and fat jerk baits. I'm still in the study and learning process. Are your molds one piece or two piece? What material is your mold made of? Keep up the good work. I'll have to put my fishing buddies on your lure site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BumBaits Posted February 13, 2004 Report Share Posted February 13, 2004 Thanks for the praise southeasttexas. Most of my molds are Silicone with the exception of a few from del-mart which are aluminum. Thanks for letting your buddies know aobout my plastics. If you are a saltwater guy like me, Bum Baits should be making a pretty good buzz up and down the coast this year. I have over 30 guides fishing my new patterns and so far I have heard a lot of good things. Good luck and thanks for the comment ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
