powerworm Posted June 3, 2011 Report Share Posted June 3, 2011 thanks for being understanding i wasnt trying to confuse anyone by any means Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red's Baits Posted June 3, 2011 Report Share Posted June 3, 2011 I do the same thing with mine PW set it to 400 and once the chemical change is made I back it down to the temp I like to shot at. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GB GONE Posted June 3, 2011 Report Share Posted June 3, 2011 i really wish someone could make us bait makers a CONSISTENTLY bubble free plastisol that is both microwave and pot user friendly out of the jug!! Not to hijack this thread but FINALLY, there will be that plastic. 2 weeks and it will be out. Many have tested it with great success in pots, microwave, on stoves, etc. No hard packing, no bubbles, clear when cooked, hard to yellow, low fumes/smoke, no oily bait when done, no bait set-up time, and no stinky plastic smell to bait when complete. I will start a new thread on this... Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolinamike Posted June 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 5, 2011 From what I'm reading on the bubble problem, half the people are having a problem, half the people are not. I personally don't microwave very much plastic unless I'm tweaking a color. I heat a half cup of plastic for around 2 minutes, I get no discoloration whatsoever. And yes I do get microbubbles, but I've noticed that if I let it sit for a few minutes, all the bubbles seem to go to the top. It forms like a small head on top, like the head of a beer but not quite as much, which are easy enough to dip off with a spoon. But recently when I was doing a color sample I got my plastic ready to pour and got distracted for a little bit of time, when I got back the plastic had almost set up so I put it back in the microwave to reheat and when the plastic had reheated the bubbles were gone. Now you've got to keep in mind, that I use the industrial formula, which has no de-airing at all. I was just wondering how you folks are mixing your plastic, are you shaking it or stirring it before you start? To me if you're shaking it to mix it up or vigorously stirring it, then you are incorporating the air bubbles into the material yourself. And considering it takes me around 2 minutes in a microwave to get a half cup at a good pouring consistency, for you guys that are doing it in intervals, are you stirring in between the heating intervals? After 1 minute I take the cup out, stir the plastic and heat for another minute. But for a price that is so much less than all the other plastisols on the market, and the highest quality of customer service you could ever get, plus the added perk of buying from a manufacturer and not a distributor, it seems to me if you are having a bubble problem that letting your plastic set up and then reheating would still be a whole lot more economical than spending twice as much money. I would much rather put a little bit of time into letting my plastic set up and reheating rather than doubling my cost over an air bubble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GB GONE Posted June 5, 2011 Report Share Posted June 5, 2011 Mike: I can tell you for fact I did not shake, jiggle or whatever to introduce bubbles. It happens when you heat this plastisol in the mic. Additional cooking manipulation is just extra time added on (=money). I aggree with you on the customer service however disagree on your assertion that it would be so much more economical. It takes right at 7 minutes get rid of the bubbles with a single 8 oz cup. I can have almost 2 cups completed by then with a non-bubbled plastic. If I take that out over a day, time waiting equals big money. Then take it out over a week, month year. Not saving any money at all. In fact, it costs more over the other brands. The other issue is the baits have a resulting smell that is far more stronger than any other plastisol. That equals more cost in scent or less customers as that will definitely turn off the buyer (probably not the fish). BTW, pourasoul is less ($128 to my door vs $168 LC) but ultrasol ($156 vs $168 LC) is the virtually the same cost as anything out there. I think my customers deserve the best baits I can make them and they trust me to decide on what plastisol does that. I stack them up side by side, list pros, cons, costs (including prep times such as scraping, mixing, etc). To each his own but the cost of the jugs to your door is NOT the total cost of use for sure! Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powerworm Posted June 5, 2011 Report Share Posted June 5, 2011 we have been using color tech's medium compound for over 2 years now and we have had some troubles with bubbles from time to time but for a small business that is pinching pennies every place we can simple reduction in heating temps after the plastic comes to pouring temp then bringing it back up to temp is a no brainer as while this is going on i can be doing other productive things around the shop. at first i considered it a nuisance and cussed it high and wide but for the price i was getting NOONE has yet to compare even within a few hundred dollars what we are paying per drum so why not come up with a way to make it work; which we did we just take into consideration the amount of time it is going to need to be usable and do other things to get ready or bag baits or make and return phone calls dozens of things and ALWAYS have amother pot cooking so your idle time is cut to a minimum. but for less than a grand delivered we wont be changing!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rixon529 Posted June 6, 2011 Report Share Posted June 6, 2011 (edited) I might be "all wet" here, but I did some web surfing and found something interesting (to me, anyway)... Spike-It doesn't give an address on their website, only a phone number and a "built-in" contact page. Note their phone number on their website. Then look at the contact page for the address and phone number for Color Technologies here. Things that make you go, "Hmmmmmmmmm"... Rick Edited June 6, 2011 by rixon529 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bass-Boys Posted June 6, 2011 Report Share Posted June 6, 2011 Rick, looks as if they are one and the same. Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bass-Boys Posted June 6, 2011 Report Share Posted June 6, 2011 From what I'm reading on the bubble problem, half the people are having a problem, half the people are not. I personally don't microwave very much plastic unless I'm tweaking a color. I heat a half cup of plastic for around 2 minutes, I get no discoloration whatsoever. And yes I do get microbubbles, but I've noticed that if I let it sit for a few minutes, all the bubbles seem to go to the top. It forms like a small head on top, like the head of a beer but not quite as much, which are easy enough to dip off with a spoon. But recently when I was doing a color sample I got my plastic ready to pour and got distracted for a little bit of time, when I got back the plastic had almost set up so I put it back in the microwave to reheat and when the plastic had reheated the bubbles were gone. Now you've got to keep in mind, that I use the industrial formula, which has no de-airing at all. I was just wondering how you folks are mixing your plastic, are you shaking it or stirring it before you start? To me if you're shaking it to mix it up or vigorously stirring it, then you are incorporating the air bubbles into the material yourself. And considering it takes me around 2 minutes in a microwave to get a half cup at a good pouring consistency, for you guys that are doing it in intervals, are you stirring in between the heating intervals? After 1 minute I take the cup out, stir the plastic and heat for another minute. But for a price that is so much less than all the other plastisols on the market, and the highest quality of customer service you could ever get, plus the added perk of buying from a manufacturer and not a distributor, it seems to me if you are having a bubble problem that letting your plastic set up and then reheating would still be a whole lot more economical than spending twice as much money. I would much rather put a little bit of time into letting my plastic set up and reheating rather than doubling my cost over an air bubble. I have used 15 gallons of spike and there is more bubbles in it after heating ( micro ) than in a couple other brands I have used but for the cost savings I make it work. Other than the bubbles I really like the plastic, Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powerworm Posted June 6, 2011 Report Share Posted June 6, 2011 they have always been the same for over 10 years that i know of....maybe longer no hiding it kind of like sears and the kenmore brand whirlpool, ge and several others make all those appliance for them. but color technologies is the owner of the lureworks and i spike-it brands I might be "all wet" here, but I did some web surfing and found something interesting (to me, anyway)... Spike-It doesn't give an address on their website, only a phone number and a "built-in" contact page. Note their phone number on their website. Then look at the contact page for the address and phone number for Color Technologies here. Things that make you go, "Hmmmmmmmmm"... Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GB GONE Posted June 6, 2011 Report Share Posted June 6, 2011 From what I'm reading on the bubble problem, half the people are having a problem, half the people are not. I have yet to hear from one individual that is not having bubble issues. Please tell me the half that is not having these issues so I can get in touch with them for how they heated. I am in no way discouraging others from using this plastic. To each his own. If you can deal with the bubbles, knock yourself out. I can't see using it and think that my customers will notice the change quickly. The reason there is choices in plastisol and other stuff is that we all get to make our own decisions. Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red's Baits Posted June 6, 2011 Report Share Posted June 6, 2011 I kinda think some of the big boys that's been buying from them is slacking off, and maybe they are trying to make up the short fall selling to us little guy's. GhostBaits I don't have an issue with bubbles at all in the presto pot. I shack up the buckets before each use. I start having an air bubble issue I got a vaccum pump to remove that issue. Thats all the do to the deaired plastic is pull a vaccum on it then drum it out. You can find vaccum pumps everywhere. Like refrigerator compressors or go to a pawn shop and buy a used freon vaccum pump. It will pull a vaccum on a 5 gallon pot quick. It doesn't take much vaccum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GB GONE Posted June 6, 2011 Report Share Posted June 6, 2011 GhostBaits I don't have an issue with bubbles at all in the presto pot. I shack up the buckets before each use. I start having an air bubble issue I got a vaccum pump to remove that issue. Thats all the do to the deaired plastic is pull a vaccum on it then drum it out. Sorry, I meant bubbles in the microwave. I don't get them in my pot either. I decided to keep the plastic rather than sell it. Just using it to test new baits/colors, etc. Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rixon529 Posted June 6, 2011 Report Share Posted June 6, 2011 they have always been the same for over 10 years that i know of....maybe longer no hiding it kind of like sears and the kenmore brand whirlpool, ge and several others make all those appliance for them. but color technologies is the owner of the lureworks and i spike-it brands I didn't realize there was a known correlation between the two. Now I do. Thanks Jon. My only plastic purchased to date has been from LC. Being in New England, they're the closest to me that offer 5 gallons, and even then, shipping is almost 1/3 the cost of the product (over $35 for 5 gallons)... That being said, I'm starting to look around at some alternatives at this point. When the difference in price for 5 gallons between Spike-It and LC is greater than the shipping cost to get it to me, I think I might try Spike-It and see how my bubble battles fare. If I find the bubbles too annoying, I can look elsewhere. Unlike Jim/Ghostbaits, I don't sell baits, so I don't consider time as money because the product will only be in my tacklebox - but I can certainly see his point of view. Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powerworm Posted June 7, 2011 Report Share Posted June 7, 2011 its kind of like a ford chevy thing some are ford and some are chevy same with plastisols!! and thats the way it was...and always will be Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GB GONE Posted June 7, 2011 Report Share Posted June 7, 2011 its kind of like a ford chevy thing some are ford and some are chevy same with plastisols!! and thats the way it was...and always will be LOL!!! Some plastisols are Cadillacs and Lexus as well. Don't be fooled as you can use less expensive and more expensive ingredients. Proof would be that Lureworks offers a more expensive product in the Ultrasol. Better, more expensive resins cost more. You do get what you pay for in most products. Plastisol is no different. I agree the middle guy takes his. So do we and everybody else that is in business. Try out all the brands. You'll settle on one or keep what you are using. Price is not everything for sure. Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basscandy92040 Posted June 7, 2011 Report Share Posted June 7, 2011 (edited) Ok, More testing/pouring with the Lureworks plastisol..... I poured up some 8 curltail worms for a guy...New customer, I thought I would try out a mix of Pourisol Soft and Hard. 75%-25% soft to hard. Hot Chocolate Blue Neon Vien with a chart tail...The bubble thing was not bad at all...The finish was good not tacky...I put a bit of anise scent but overall the smell of the plastic reminded of plastic worms back in the day... I also poured up some saltwater shrimp tails and 5 inch grubs. I used reverse mix of Hard to soft. 75%-25%....I noticed more bubbles even heating at half power for longer. I made Rootbeer gold glitter and Flor yellow with silver glitter. I waited short while for the bubbles to rise and they came out good... I think the hard stuff might be more sensitive to bubble/heating issue... I poured from Lee pots...LC color and glitter...LC molds. It will be interesting to see how it goes when I pour clear with glitter swimbaits for saltwater..... I will continue to use it for now.... Cliff So Cal. Edited June 7, 2011 by Basscandy92040 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GB GONE Posted June 7, 2011 Report Share Posted June 7, 2011 Looking good Cliff. I think the bubble issue has something to do with the hardener as I can cook the medium in my microwave with less bubbles than the hard version. Guessing the soft would be even less. I have gotten to where I cook an 8oz for 1 minute, then 30 seconds, stir, then 30 seconds, stir and then another 20 seconds. Add color and glitter, stir, heat another 15-20 seconds, let bubbles get gone and add scent, stir and pour. Still a little to much work for 1 cup of plastic. Also, be sure to get the soft pack settling off of the bottom of the jug well. It will affect your final baits. I do like how "quick" this plastisol cures! Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powerworm Posted June 7, 2011 Report Share Posted June 7, 2011 like i said its a ford chevy thing and i think the price is the selling point as i have a system that works for me to not have to wait for it to do its thing and along with the price and great quality baits it produces i believe its a rolls royce by far. others may agree or disagree and thats heir choice as is mine no one is wrong because its an opinion and we all have them!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basscandy92040 Posted June 7, 2011 Report Share Posted June 7, 2011 like i said its a ford chevy thing and i think the price is the selling point as i have a system that works for me to not have to wait for it to do its thing and along with the price and great quality baits it produces i believe its a rolls royce by far. others may agree or disagree and thats heir choice as is mine no one is wrong because its an opinion and we all have them!! i hear ya Jon....I got my additional molds from DELW and I just need to get some long pins and a quick clamp, presto pot and start banging out some stick baits.... Thanks Jim! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blanx Posted June 11, 2011 Report Share Posted June 11, 2011 I got my order in yesterday. they ship pretty quick. for testing i have a gallon of soft and a gallon of med. i did not see any setting in the plastic at all. a gentle shake out of habbit and i was ready to go. i started with 1 cup of plastic. using a microwave to heat it up. it seemed that it took a bit longer to heat than the bears plastic i was using. the plastic made it to the gel state in the same amount of time i typially get 300-325 degree plastic. No biggie for me. I heated for 2 minutes then another minute was added before i could add my color etc.. i used a hand injector to shoot brush baits, tubes and craws. it was a little to soft for these baits for my taste i will try it with the med next week. i used the sprues to heat down add salt to make sticks. perfect for sticks. the results were great. very few bubbles. the soft is very soft. i did not need any softner to make sticks. i did not use my mask today just to see how the plastic smelled etc.. i did not notice any smell unitl i added a sent to the plastic. there was a little smoke but no more than any other plastic i have used. i am headed to the water tomorrow where i may try the baits i made to see how well they work. as far as the heating and pouring side of this product im very happy with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolinamike Posted June 11, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 11, 2011 Glad to see that this is working out for some of you. I thought I'd let you guys know exactly why I'm helping Lureworks out. First off, they're not in the hand pour market because of the bigger fellows aren't buying as much. Also it's no big secret that Color Technologies, Spike-It and Lureworks are all the same company. The reason being for three different divisions is very obvious, they all cater to a different clientele in the industry. The reason that Lureworks is showing so much interest in the hand pour market is because for years now, Don and Bruce have helped set up many people in the plastic component business, teaching them how to make coloring user friendly, giving them all kinds of information pertaining to the industry, basically putting people in business. To have these people after a year or so of doing good business to go to a different supplier because of it being a penny cheaper here and there, it's real easy for these people that Lureworks helped put into business to forget all that Don and Bruce have helped them with and how they basically set them up. Like the guys said, they are tired of this. They are not going to put anyone else in business, in other words, no more middlemen. The reason I think this is a worthwhile company to help is because all that they have to offer for the hand pour guys that was never available before. They've got several new things in the works, that's really going to help out hand pour situations, especially people that need to up their volume some. Also what other supplier do you know of that if you need a color matched, you're going to get it. Yes, there may be a minimum order, but no one else can offer this and if they do, they're most likely going through Lureworks anyway. I get no discounts or anything else for saying this. I just know that if it hadn't been for the information alone that Bruce and Don have given me over the years, I wouldn't be in business now. If I have a problem and I just can't figure it out, all I have to do is call and I always get an answer. I might have to wait a little bit for someone to find out what I need to know, but I always get some kind of answer. To be able to deal with a company direct that is such a large player in the industry, I think speaks a lot in itself for these folks. Yes I do sing these folks praises and will continue to because of the help that they've given me and others. In this day and time, it's very impressive to me that some of the big boys would even consider helping the hand pour guys. I just kind of felt like this was something I needed to say. And if you're having a problem, don't hesitate to call Bruce or Don, they're always willing to help. You just can't beat good customer service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GB GONE Posted June 11, 2011 Report Share Posted June 11, 2011 Second person (Randy from Hawg Pours said soft was GREAT!!!!) I have gotten good info on the soft. Little bubbles and hardly any smoke/smell. Super clear. I will be interested to hear your take on the medium. As the "hardness" has progressed, the bubbles have gotten much worse. Smell/smoke also. Not sure what I am cooking off on the med and hard but it sure bubbles up lots. Thanks again for information. Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Posted June 12, 2011 Report Share Posted June 12, 2011 Glad to see that this is working out for some of you. I thought I'd let you guys know exactly why I'm helping Lureworks out. First off, they're not in the hand pour market because of the bigger fellows aren't buying as much. Also it's no big secret that Color Technologies, Spike-It and Lureworks are all the same company. The reason being for three different divisions is very obvious, they all cater to a different clientele in the industry. The reason that Lureworks is showing so much interest in the hand pour market is because for years now, Don and Bruce have helped set up many people in the plastic component business, teaching them how to make coloring user friendly, giving them all kinds of information pertaining to the industry, basically putting people in business. To have these people after a year or so of doing good business to go to a different supplier because of it being a penny cheaper here and there, it's real easy for these people that Lureworks helped put into business to forget all that Don and Bruce have helped them with and how they basically set them up. Like the guys said, they are tired of this. They are not going to put anyone else in business, in other words, no more middlemen. The reason I think this is a worthwhile company to help is because all that they have to offer for the hand pour guys that was never available before. They've got several new things in the works, that's really going to help out hand pour situations, especially people that need to up their volume some. Also what other supplier do you know of that if you need a color matched, you're going to get it. Yes, there may be a minimum order, but no one else can offer this and if they do, they're most likely going through Lureworks anyway. I get no discounts or anything else for saying this. I just know that if it hadn't been for the information alone that Bruce and Don have given me over the years, I wouldn't be in business now. If I have a problem and I just can't figure it out, all I have to do is call and I always get an answer. I might have to wait a little bit for someone to find out what I need to know, but I always get some kind of answer. To be able to deal with a company direct that is such a large player in the industry, I think speaks a lot in itself for these folks. Yes I do sing these folks praises and will continue to because of the help that they've given me and others. In this day and time, it's very impressive to me that some of the big boys would even consider helping the hand pour guys. I just kind of felt like this was something I needed to say. And if you're having a problem, don't hesitate to call Bruce or Don, they're always willing to help. You just can't beat good customer service. Well said and that is good for them. I think more players is more fun. I feel the same about the companys I use and wont change to save a penny. I have talked to Don and was real impressed with his down to earth answers. I cant wait to meet him at Icast in a few weeks. Frank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bass-Boys Posted June 12, 2011 Report Share Posted June 12, 2011 Not sure what this tells us ? but this morning I mixed 9 oz of Soft Spike with 7 oz of MF soft to get a 16oz batch the mixture was almost bubble free !! I have a lot of baits to get out this weekend I am about to go back out and try a mixture of the same products but use 12 oz of spike & 4 oz of MF and see what happins. Someone else needs to try this mixture and see what they get . Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
