Stirring In Salt And Flake Without Making Bubbles

[mark poulson]

I typically pour 4oz of plastic at a time, with an ounce of softner, and an ounce of salt, plus some flake.

I add the salt and flake after the plastic is up to 360+-, and stir them in with a thin blade screwdriver, which has a soft rubber handle that doesn't get hot.

If I stir very slowly, I get no bubbles, but I have to reheat the plastic before I pour, and I still have to stir it again to keep the flake and salt in suspension.

On fatter bodies, like Ikas, it' not a problem, since the bubbles typically rise up through the hot plastic into the sprue hole.

But on thinner worms, sometimes they get trapped.

Is there a "secret" to stirring plastic without creating bubbles, aside from buying a mixing pot with a built-in stirrer?

[Richard Prager]

I typically pour 4oz of plastic at a time, with an ounce of softner, and an ounce of salt, plus some flake.

I add the salt and flake after the plastic is up to 360+-, and stir them in with a thin blade screwdriver, which has a soft rubber handle that doesn't get hot.

If I stir very slowly, I get no bubbles, but I have to reheat the plastic before I pour, and I still have to stir it again to keep the flake and salt in suspension.

On fatter bodies, like Ikas, it' not a problem, since the bubbles typically rise up through the hot plastic into the sprue hole.

But on thinner worms, sometimes they get trapped.

Is there a "secret" to stirring plastic without creating bubbles, aside from buying a mixing pot with a built-in stirrer?

On the re-heats, get it nice and hot so the plastic gets thinner. You can stir the bubbles out prior to pouring. The thinner plastic will allow the bubbles to stir out and come to the top. Then pour. Some guys "skim" the bubbles off the top or take a mini torch to it. I always just stirred them right out. You'll find what works for you, but you do need to remove the bubbles prior to pouring.

[mark poulson]

On the re-heats, get it nice and hot so the plastic gets thinner. You can stir the bubbles out prior to pouring. The thinner plastic will allow the bubbles to stir out and come to the top. Then pour. Some guys "skim" the bubbles off the top or take a mini torch to it. I always just stirred them right out. You'll find what works for you, but you do need to remove the bubbles prior to pouring.

I find that, since I have to restir the plastic after reheating to get the salt and flake resuspended, there are still bubbles, since I'm always in a race to pour before the plastic cools too much.

I just ordered a hot plate from Lurecraft, and that might help. Being able to have the plastic sit without cooling should give it time for the bubbles to rise and burst, and for me to restir it as needed, but more gently, without making more bubbles.

Fingers crossed.

A side question.

Do you guys who pour, and who use a hot plate for keeping the plastic hot, use some kind of a metal plate over the electric elements that you sit your pyrex cups on, or can I just put the cup directly on the hot plate

Edited September 26, 2010 by mark poulson

[powerworm]

pyrex or anchor is not made for direct heating only indirect like in a microwave.

[Romeo D]

I find that, since I have to restir the plastic after reheating to get the salt and flake resuspended, there are still bubbles, since I'm always in a race to pour before the plastic cools too much.

I just ordered a hot plate from Lurecraft, and that might help. Being able to have the plastic sit without cooling should give it time for the bubbles to rise and burst, and for me to restir it as needed, but more gently, without making more bubbles.

Fingers crossed.

A side question.

Do you guys who pour, and who use a hot plate for keeping the plastic hot, use some kind of a metal plate over the electric elements that you sit your pyrex cups on, or can I just put the cup directly on the hot plate

Mark,

I use a pancake griddle from Walmart. I use to use a hotplate but I like the temperature control on the griddle better. It has a lot of room for many things. I originally used it to warm up molds as Richard suggested in the past. then switched over to keeping my anchor 1 cups warm when pouring or injecting as well as the injectors and tips.

Romeo

[mark poulson]

Thanks for the heads up. I'll be looking for some kind of a metal plate to put on the electric elements.

[Frank]

Thanks for the heads up. I'll be looking for some kind of a metal plate to put on the electric elements.

A cheap pot should work for you.

[mark poulson]

A cheap pot should work for you.

Hahaha. Nothing in this addiction is cheap!

Are you talking about a metal pot like Lurecraft sells? I think they call it a pouring pot, and it's a small metal pouring pot with a long handle. They do recommend it with their hot plate, but I was hoping to be able to set my Pyrex dish onto the hot plate between pours, to keep the plastic hot, without having to "decant" it into another pot.

[Vodkaman]

Mark, as discussed a few times recently, as long as their is not a big temperature difference when you place the pyrex on the hot plate, their should not be a problem.

Take precautions.

Dave

[mark poulson]

Mark, as discussed a few times recently, as long as their is not a big temperature difference when you place the pyrex on the hot plate, their should not be a problem.

Take precautions.

Dave

Thanks for the advice, Dave.

I'll wear a raincoat.

[Frank]

Hahaha. Nothing in this addiction is cheap!

Are you talking about a metal pot like Lurecraft sells? I think they call it a pouring pot, and it's a small metal pouring pot with a long handle. They do recommend it with their hot plate, but I was hoping to be able to set my Pyrex dish onto the hot plate between pours, to keep the plastic hot, without having to "decant" it into another pot.

No really a pot from say a mart type store. With a plate like that maybe a two quart one with a non stick coating so it cleans easily. A handle is just some thing that will be in the way so no handle is a good thing. Frank

[The Dutchman]

Salt will draw moisture. Try putting the salt in before putting in micro first time and stir with a spoon.

[Smallie]

Salt will draw moisture. Try putting the salt in before putting in micro first time and stir with a spoon.

I went to Walmart and bought cheap butter knives to stir with. The plastic that cools on the knife is easy to peel off as well.

[Smallie]

I went to Walmart and bought cheap butter knives to stir with. The plastic that cools on the knife is easy to peel off as well.

There is also something called a heat diffuser that you can put on top of the hot plate to spread the heat out.

http://www.boncui.com/irwg1869.html

[nova]

Salt will draw moisture. Try putting the salt in before putting in micro first time and stir with a spoon.

I take my salt and put it in a pan then on the hotplate to make sure the moisture is gone before I put it in the plastic.

www.novalures.com

Edited October 9, 2010 by nova

[bojon]

There is also something called a heat diffuser that you can put on top of the hot plate to spread the heat out.

http://www.boncui.com/irwg1869.html

I had used this type of diffuser in the past.It works very well.I really had a hard time finding one,or even telling store people what I wanted.Seems to be a rare item here in the states.Nice to see it on line.

[mark poulson]

Thanks for all the info.

[Fish Candy Bait Company]

The LC pots are small enough that you can fit 3 on their hot plate at one time. You can crowd 4 of them on it but not sure of the results. Medium low seems to be the best area to keep it warm based on my initial test. I got the 5 pan price just so I would have some extras. Next step is to make a divided pan. They are 4 oz pans so think of them like a soda can with a handle. I suppose you might tinker with a can to see if you could use it to heat and pour with but the cost of these are not too bad.

[bojon]

The LC pots are small enough that you can fit 3 on their hot plate at one time. You can crowd 4 of them on it but not sure of the results. Medium low seems to be the best area to keep it warm based on my initial test. I got the 5 pan price just so I would have some extras. Next step is to make a divided pan. They are 4 oz pans so think of them like a soda can with a handle. I suppose you might tinker with a can to see if you could use it to heat and pour with but the cost of these are not too bad.

Gee it is nice to see a clean,undented pan.I use the same pans,but mine look like they went through a war zone.In the later years I sprayed the pan with a light coat of Pam,inside,and out(not the bottom).Just using a paper towel to remove excess on the inside then using the same towel to wipe the outside ends,and edges.This is a real major improvement for me.By bringing my plastic to the correct temp in the microwave,then pouring into the pan on the hot plate.I always add my salt to the cold plastic,and stir with a DRY wood stick(hobby stick),and then after pouring from the Pyrex,gently stir the plastic using the same stick that has been in the Pyrex cup thoughout the heating process.Salt disolved,and no bubbles.Works for me.

[Fish Candy Bait Company]

Gee it is nice to see a clean,undented pan.I use the same pans,but mine look like they went through a war zone.In the later years I sprayed the pan with a light coat of Pam,inside,and out(not the bottom).Just using a paper towel to remove excess on the inside then using the same towel to wipe the outside ends,and edges.This is a real major improvement for me.By bringing my plastic to the correct temp in the microwave,then pouring into the pan on the hot plate.I always add my salt to the cold plastic,and stir with a DRY wood stick(hobby stick),and then after pouring from the Pyrex,gently stir the plastic using the same stick that has been in the Pyrex cup thoughout the heating process.Salt disolved,and no bubbles.Works for me.

Well those were fresh out of the UPS box so they will never look like that again.

[mark poulson]

I have one of those metal pans, and it pours really badly. I get runback, with the plastic running back down the face of the pan, instead of pouring out into the mold.

Any suggestions? I am thinking I need to make the pour notch deeper, more like a spout.

[nova]

I have one of those metal pans, and it pours really badly. I get runback, with the plastic running back down the face of the pan, instead of pouring out into the mold.

Any suggestions? I am thinking I need to make the pour notch deeper, more like a spout.

The only thing I've come up with is to don't go over half full and they will pour better.

I just use them doing delicate pours.

www.novalures.com

[Smallie]

I have one of those metal pans, and it pours really badly. I get runback, with the plastic running back down the face of the pan, instead of pouring out into the mold.

Any suggestions? I am thinking I need to make the pour notch deeper, more like a spout.

Like Nova said, start with the pan half full. You will still get some drooling but you can pour a plastic pancake with plastisol and wipe the outside of the pan off after each pour.

[mark poulson]

Like Nova said, start with the pan half full. You will still get some drooling but you can pour a plastic pancake with plastisol and wipe the outside of the pan off after each pour.

Thanks. I'll try the half full method, and see if that helps.