joelhains Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 I shot my first injection molded plastic tonight! It was a good experience and I am happy with how the baits turned out. I used Kosher salt in the plastic and you can really see it in the baits. I want to try a finer salt in the next batch I do tomorrow. I do have a question though. How many time can I safely reheat the plastic without using a heat stabilizer? I reheated 3 times tonight.. one time between each pour. I stil have a little left over from what I started out with so it will be heated again as well. is it OK to add tonights plastic with new plastic tomorrow? Should I cook the new plastic first then ad the old plastic as I reheat? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassinfool Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 On darker colors I won't use stabilizer unless I'm really going to do a lot of reheats but for my purples, reds, anything with white in it stabilizer is an absolute must. You can use a spice grinder or coffee grinder to make the kosher salt smaller or even powder it if you desire. The crushing of the salt crystals will produce a white dusty powder which you'll have to compensate for though. I prefer to use Morton's popcorn salt in my baits. They look great by the way! Keep up the good work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joelhains Posted June 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 (edited) So is the purpose of heat stabilizer more to preserve the integrity of the color? I thought It kept the plastic from burning or overcooking. Edited June 28, 2014 by joelhains Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gone2long Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 It does both but if your not concerned about color as long as you heat gently you can or should be able to use up the plastic before you experience any burning issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassinfool Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 Exactly what gon2long said. It is necessary for certain colors like white and some others that are more apt to turning even under gentle heating conditions. But for your watermelon, green pumpkin, blacks, etc you shouldn't need it as long as you hear gently and keep your plastic stirred. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joelhains Posted June 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 Good stuff. Thanks for your input. I'm only mixing 1 cup of plastic at this point and right now I'm reheating 3-5 times before its gone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patrick reif Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 Sticks are a great way to start. They build confidence in your abilities, and catch a butt load of fish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joelhains Posted June 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 (edited) Poured some craws today too! A few more of the sticks I got some flashing on these. Pressing down too hard on the injector I guess? I really like the color of these. A couple are deformed from removing them too soon from the mold http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p240/yakfish/Mobile Uploads/2014-06/IMG_20140628_133800960_zpsp6aewidp.jpg Edited June 28, 2014 by joelhains Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gone2long Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 Yeah the pressure that is produced with the injector's is insane but make sure you have a good clamp as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassinfool Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 Make sure you clamp down hard and only push on the injector until you feel resistance. That's some really hot plastic under a lot of pressure, not something you want shooting out onto you that's for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
