alsworms Posted April 1, 2003 Report Share Posted April 1, 2003 I have been hearing about a "not so new" plastic company called Calhoun Plastics. I guess they are based out of Georgia and have been in business for awhile now. For some reason, I never heard of them. I hear their prices are unbeatable, which always brings more questions.......how is the consistency? softness? does it burn? smell? etc. etc. etc. Anyone out there use the stuff, or care to share their thoughts : Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsworms Posted April 2, 2003 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2003 I found out a little more on Calhoun Plastics. For those interested, their phone number is (706) 629-9077. They are supposed to be a leader in bulk plastics, and MUCH less expensive than some of the Big Boys. I'm gonna call them and see if I can't drum up some samples or a smaller order - just to try it out. Will gladly post and let you all know how it measures up. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercury Posted April 5, 2003 Report Share Posted April 5, 2003 Shoot yes. Im always looking for a way to save a few dollars. But I wont sacrafice quality for it. Let us know what goes on. And also the shipping charges as well. Inflated shipping charges can make up for less expensive product. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Celticav Posted April 5, 2003 Report Share Posted April 5, 2003 I wonder where they are based out of, they are in my area code and might go check them out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsworms Posted April 5, 2003 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2003 Hey Fellas, They are out of Calhoun, Georgia. Here's the address: P.O. Box 1295 Calhoun, GA 30710 I've got a 5-gallon jug coming and will gladly let you guys know how it works out. They run about 1.00 per pound, which is about a third what I pay now. BUT......I'm a little on the pessimist side here. Like Mercury said, I'm not about to sacrifice quality for price. I work with MF plastic now and I just can't find anything close to their quality. I used 3-G plastic for awhile, but was very disappointed. The consistency was terrible, the smell was awful, and it would burn in a heartbeat. I have a feeling this stuff might be the same Stay tuned......... Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsworms Posted April 5, 2003 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2003 Forgot to comment on shipping...... The guy I spoke with (Ken Parker) is sending this jug for free as a trial, but he said normally a 5-gallon jug ships for about 15-20 bucks, depending on where you live in the U.S. Not too bad if the product is worth it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basskat Posted April 13, 2003 Report Share Posted April 13, 2003 Any luck with the new plastic? I use about 5 gallons a year. Would save me a few bucks myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Celticav Posted April 13, 2003 Report Share Posted April 13, 2003 I need to get in touch with them, me and southstatesfishin are going to ride over and check them out, have you used their plastic yet, Al? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsworms Posted April 13, 2003 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2003 Hey Fellas, I just got that jug yesterday, and haven't tried it yet. I have a few more gallons to use before I put that one on the mixer. Hope to have an answer for ya in a couple days. So far, I can tell you this....... there's about 6 inches of hardener settled on the bottom, which obviously means it separates and will need to be mixed regularly. I've been spoiled with MF plastic. I normally don't have to do anything with their plastic; maybe just shake the jug a little or tip it side to side. If Calhoun's plastic doesn't burn or smell God-Awful, then it's a "Go" for me Stay Tuned......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercury Posted April 26, 2003 Report Share Posted April 26, 2003 Hey Al, i just got a email from robert ratcliff over at 3-G. They are say they can beat anyones prices and have good materials. Found me from the "other site" From what you say about this company, think I will be avoiding them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsworms Posted April 26, 2003 Author Report Share Posted April 26, 2003 Well they are right about one thing......they are cheaper than anyone else, but it sure shows in the product. I had a really hard time messin' with that stuff; very inconsistent and quick to burn. I also had a problem with deliveries. I buy in 5-gallon jugs because I don't have room for a 55-gallon drum, and sometimes I just got the feeling that they didn't wanna mess with 10 to 15 gallons at a time. There were times when I'd be waiting on an order, and they said they ran out of 5 gallon jugs 3-G sells to companies like Berkely and Zoom, so you can imagine how much quantity they move. A guy like me is just a drop in the bucket .....And speaking of that......now that I know a little bit about plastisols, I can sure tell it's 3-G plastic when I hold a Zoom lizard, and now I also know how Zoom makes money by selling those things at 19 bucks per 100 :!: About the Calhoun plastic........ I have been going back and forth between that and MF, and I've used about 3 gallons of Calhoun. So far, I would recommend it. I'm not having nearly the troubles that I had with 3-G. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercury Posted May 1, 2003 Report Share Posted May 1, 2003 just gave ken a call, and he has a sample on its way for me to try. The plastic still doing good for ya? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsworms Posted May 1, 2003 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2003 The first 5 gallons have worked out great! I'm still using both MF and Calhoun, but I can save a little $$$ along the way. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shmang Posted June 25, 2003 Report Share Posted June 25, 2003 Chris: Was interested if you had a more timely update on Calhoun Plastic? Your last report was on May 1 and I was wondering if you could add any more info to the quality since almost two months have passed. Thanks and take care. Shmang Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsworms Posted June 25, 2003 Author Report Share Posted June 25, 2003 I use Calhoun almost exclusively now. It's very similar in quality to Lure Craft (536 formula) at a third the price. In fact, I broke down and bought my first 55-gallon drum the other day. Don't have a clue yet where I'll put it.... I still believe that MF is tops in quality, if you can afford the price. The only downside to Calhoun is you've gotta keep it mixed. I use an automatic mixer set on a timer. Unlike 3-G plastic, Calhoun will not burn. I only use heat stabilizer when pouring with heavy salt. Also, depending on your preference, you might need to add softener to Calhoun's formula. I add about 1/2 cup per gallon. Hope this helps Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bass Tracker Posted June 25, 2003 Report Share Posted June 25, 2003 What was the cost for a 5 gallon jug? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsworms Posted June 25, 2003 Author Report Share Posted June 25, 2003 They are about 8 bucks per gallon ($1 per pound), plus 15-20 bucks for shipping, depending on where you live. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robalo01 Posted July 1, 2003 Report Share Posted July 1, 2003 I had used about four five gallon buckets of the Lure Craft medium before buying the 3-g and I have to say that at least the batch that I got (5 gallon bucket) was great. I can?t seem to burn the stuff in the mcrwv. I think it was a step up from the lure craft, and considerably less expensive. The service was great. I called it in and they billed me by mail. I had never had someone extend credit with nothing but a purchase order. I come to their defense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsworms Posted July 1, 2003 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2003 Maybe I was using the wrong stuff I poured their hand-pour formula and it burned like crazy, and I didn't like the smell at all. I added heat stabilizer and that solved the burning problem, but then the stabilizer made the plastic stink even more. I also had a problem with the plastic bubbling; had to add a "no foam" compound to stop that. Man I wish I could agree with you 'cause the price is unbeatable. Chris P.S. Calhoun also sends an invoice after the plastic is shipped, just in case anyone is curious. I believe Calhoun and 3-G are the only 2 companies that do that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robalo01 Posted July 2, 2003 Report Share Posted July 2, 2003 I heat 500 ml at a time. 3:30 in the mcrwv, then stirr, add color, zap for 1:20, wait about 2:00 for the bubbles to settle, zap another 1:00 and ready. I do think it takes longer to prepare that the LC did, but I think it stays liquid longer. I ordered the Hand Pour Medium. The bucket says "Hand Pour Soft", but it is a medium strength plastic. I suppose they just added hardener to a soft plastic and mailed it. The cost was $40 plus shipping for 5 gallons. $25 to Hidalgo Texas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delw Posted July 2, 2003 Report Share Posted July 2, 2003 I like the calhoon plastic.. Ive had it for quite a while now. Srplastics turned me on to it... would like to clear something up. it separates it doesnt settle lurecraft settles(hardner, hard chunks on the bottom) lurecraft is not as consistant due to the settleing problem even if you mix it. calhoon separates(into liquids much easier to mix) its very consistant and easy to mix. I use a paint stirrer on a drill it doesnt stink either. it mix's well with colors I find the colors are brighter & richer with calhoon. There is virtually no smoke with calhoon in the microwave and absolutely no smell in the microwave(thats why my wife lets me use her microwave ) M-F is great stuff no problems with it at all but the price is what keeps me from buying it .. 3-g well I ordered 5 gals over 4 months ago and told him I would pay for it. sent him an email to verify the phone conversation and to verify my address... havent recieved it yet. Delw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercury Posted July 16, 2003 Report Share Posted July 16, 2003 Back to Calhouns plastics. The ONLY drawback that I have found is that when fully cooked it is not as thin as lure crafts. I have some smaller baits to pour and with lurecrafts 536 it pours well when hot into the small detailed areas of the mold. Calhouns did not. But Chris and I are working this bit out. A side by side test of 356 and calhouns hand poured show verry little diffrence in action. But the actual softer bait was the 536. Going to add softener to the mix here shortly and see if that will thin it down to get into the smaller cavitys. Other than that the plastic does not smell anything like LC's, is cost effective, and good value. Oh one other thing. It is also clearest plastic I have used so far. With out scents applied, the pearl whites are brighter as well as the florescent colors than lure crafts plastics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tubeman Posted July 16, 2003 Report Share Posted July 16, 2003 Hi All, I too am using Calhoun and have worked my way through half of my first 55 gallon drum. Like Chris I had nowhere to put it, let alone get it off the back of my pick up (450 Pounds). I saved all the 5 gallon containers from Lurecraft and cleaned them out. I mixed the drum throughly and hand scoop it all out, messy yes, but now its easier to mix and work with. One interesting note about Calhoun is they will take a sample of a mix you have (raw) and duplicate it's durometer(hardness). I was always having to mix up formulas hoping for the same consistancy, now its the way I like and my customers do to. I deal with Chuck Ruth and he is very knowledgeable on plastisols. I would recommend this company to anyone. Chris is right about their plastisol, it stands up to heat well, floats salt and glitter much better (less stiring) and is way cheaper 290.00 for 55 gallons....give it a try, you'll be glad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haebar Posted July 19, 2003 Report Share Posted July 19, 2003 Al, Thanks for the info! You answered my question before I could ask it, that of whether I need to use heat stabilizer with Calhoun plastic. Chuck said they put it in the formula, but wasn't sure if it was enough for worm pouring applications. Is it really odorless like he says? (I haven't gotten mine yet). Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsworms Posted July 19, 2003 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2003 It has a very minimal odor, but everyone's senses are different. Some guys think Lure Craft has an odor, but to me it has none at all. MF has a kind of sweet smell, and 3-G has a terrible musty odor. Again, that's just my nose...... Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
