robbor Posted November 30, 2018 Report Share Posted November 30, 2018 I shot some big worms in an aluminum mold for the first time a few months ago. Was using regular mf that had prob been sitting for a 6 months. I had an original shot by the mold maker who made my mold and used the same plastic. My worms came out no where as firm at all. Super stretchy. I used the microwave method and added stabilizer. Any ideas? I thought I stirred it up well also Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdhammah Posted November 30, 2018 Report Share Posted November 30, 2018 (edited) was there any sediment at the bottom of your container? I had some lurecraft medium formula that has separated and the bottom was caked solid. I bought it at a yard sale. was told that it was about 3 years old. I stirred, shook and stirred some more while digging into it. finally got a good mix and has been working ok. I have been adding a little hardener here and there. For $15 for the full gallon, I'm getting a lot of mileage out of it. I'm sorry. I digress. Ideas? make sure you got it mixed well. add some hardener. Edited November 30, 2018 by rdhammah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cole's Customs Posted November 30, 2018 Report Share Posted November 30, 2018 sounds like it was not mixed thoroughly. Try shaking that stuff up for a bit, could take a minute or two if it has been sitting. I don't think after just six months you would have to work too hard to get it mixed back up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bryanmc Posted November 30, 2018 Report Share Posted November 30, 2018 What temp did you heat it to initially? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbor Posted November 30, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 30, 2018 I stirred the crap out of it I thought.i heated in steps while stirring in big batch as my injector is prob 16-18 oz and doesn’t quite fill all 6 cavities on my mold. I was thinking of trying some hardener Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cole's Customs Posted November 30, 2018 Report Share Posted November 30, 2018 If you stirred it well yea all I can think of would be hardener. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bryanmc Posted December 1, 2018 Report Share Posted December 1, 2018 Still haven't said how high you heated it initially. MF likes to go to 350 degrees to convert fully. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbor Posted December 1, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 1, 2018 I don’t know exactly. But after a few shots I was on the hot side and almost thought I was smelling a lil burning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bryanmc Posted December 1, 2018 Report Share Posted December 1, 2018 You should get a thermometer to make sure your initial temp hits 350. Also, how much stabilizer did you add? A drop or two per cup is usually sufficient and I usually only add it to light colors on the second and subsequent reheats. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbor Posted December 2, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2018 I added stabilizer on first heat and prob a teaspoon full on 2 cups Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Posted December 2, 2018 Report Share Posted December 2, 2018 You need to know the temp until you get use to your microwave and heating cycles. You can’t even imagine the problems you won’t have if you get one. Knowing the temp is key. Dents, color changing,yellowing,sticky baits and many more. Adding heat stabilizer does not do any good if you over heat it. Plus when it is fresh plastic it is in there. The reason for adding it is to replenish it when burned off while keeping it up to temp. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basspatrol Posted December 4, 2018 Report Share Posted December 4, 2018 Yeah, that happened to me too... when i overcooked my mix :(. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbor Posted December 5, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2018 Will do a lil more reading and thermometer n try again in a few weeks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bass-Boys Posted December 5, 2018 Report Share Posted December 5, 2018 just make sure it is stirred up . scrape the bottom of the jug with some thing and if there is any thing at all that is stuck to the bottom of the jug - it just needs to be mixed better. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bryanmc Posted December 5, 2018 Report Share Posted December 5, 2018 7 hours ago, Bass-Boys said: just make sure it is stirred up . scrape the bottom of the jug with some thing and if there is any thing at all that is stuck to the bottom of the jug - it just needs to be mixed better. MF is really good about not hard packing. I've let it sit for months and a couple shakes was all it needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bass-Boys Posted December 5, 2018 Report Share Posted December 5, 2018 11 minutes ago, bryanmc said: MF is really good about not hard packing. I've let it sit for months and a couple shakes was all it needed. yes, I have used it . ( and like it ) and you are correct . But he said . I "think" I mixed it good . so just making sure . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlowFISH Posted December 5, 2018 Report Share Posted December 5, 2018 On 11/30/2018 at 11:40 AM, robbor said: I stirred the crap out of it I thought.i heated in steps while stirring in big batch as my injector is prob 16-18 oz and doesn’t quite fill all 6 cavities on my mold. I was thinking of trying some hardener Not much new to add to what others said - but "Stirring the hell out of it" people are talking about is stirring the cold plastisol in the bottle - before you even pour it into your container to heat. In reading your statement here I'm thinking your referring to stirring the crap out of it as it's heating.... that's too late... if you didn't stir up the product in the bottle - the mix will be off. You have to think of making baits like baking... if you tried making a cake by not stirring the mix right - then baking without knowing the temp in the oven - odds are your cake is gonna suck and no way you'd have any consistency the next time you cook a cake (or bait). Cheap digital thermometer will make a HUGE difference - and make sure to stir the crap out of the plastisol in the bottle before you start - those two steps will probably fix your problems.... I've made both mistakes when I started. J. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsworms Posted December 6, 2018 Report Share Posted December 6, 2018 15 hours ago, bryanmc said: MF is really good about not hard packing. I've let it sit for months and a couple shakes was all it needed. Exactly what I was thinking. Something else going on. I don't think I've ever had an MF jug hard pack. Then again, I used the super soft formula. Might be different with regular. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted December 7, 2018 Report Share Posted December 7, 2018 16 hours ago, alsworms said: Exactly what I was thinking. Something else going on. I don't think I've ever had an MF jug hard pack. Then again, I used the super soft formula. Might be different with regular. Al, I think you hit the nail on the head. Hardener is thick, so maybe it is what settles out when plastisol sits for a while. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
