Need Help Starting a Newbie Up for Christmas!

[kdoverly]

I came across this hobby a few weeks ago and really want to get my husband started up for his Christmas gift.  This is the kind of thing he would love to do but he would never ask to start a hobby he sees as expensive initially.  

I'm trying to figure out, quickly so I have time to order!, what I need to get him.  Are injection molds or free pour molds better for beginners?  I have seen some starter kits, but they seem really basic and not fully inclusive.  What I need to know is which style mold you think would be safest to learn with and absolutely everything I need to make sure I get for him to be able to start (i.e. don't forget the measuring cup etc.)

Thanks all!

 

[Canga~]

worlds worst fishing just made a (pretty long) video on getting started, its pretty good, gives you an idea of what you will need, as well as some instruction on how to do it. i personally started with injection, its more expensive to start but i prefer it over hand pouring.

ill probably forget something but the list for hand injection includes (no particular order):

1. an injector, and some injector lubricant (worm oil, or basstackle sells injector oil). should probably order a set of replacement o-rings from the place you get the injector, just to avoid having to order them later, shipping adds up!

2. molds, you (or his) choice, something he will use alot.

3. plastisol

4. colorants/ pearls

5. glitter

6. additives (i suggest some heat stabilizer and softener to start, maybe some scent)

7. pyrex/anchor measuing cups, i use the 2 and 4 cup anchors.

8. a thermometer, either a quick read or infrared, i use some Weber grill thermometers from walmart, work great.

9. utensils. something to stir with, can use butter knives, the thermometer, i use a couple frosting knives for decorating cakes! small set of measuring spoons for pearls and glitter. also a pair of scissors to cut the scraps up, can also be used to cut the baits from the sprues (not necessary) 

10. a microwave (or presto pot) something to heat the plastisol with, micro is pretty easy to start.

11. safety. gloves, a respirator, long sleeves, pants, closed shoes.

12. space to work, dont want to do this in your house, it can stink (depends on the plastic you use, some smell more than others) a 72" workbench is about the smallest i would want, mine is 60" and there isnt enough room sometimes.

13. some cheap cookie sheets, and bowls. this is what i put my injector on while im pouring so the plastic doesnt get everywhere, as well as my stirring utensil, also on a different sheet i put my baits to cure. the bowls is where i put my scrap plastic, just between pours/remelts.

14. clamps. 6" bar clamps work great for holding multiple mods together. irwin makes a good one, walmart (hyper tough) is a decent alternative and MUCH cheaper, this is what i use and have not had any problems.

im sure i am forgetting something, but that will get you started. a word of warning, this hobby can get expensive. you can get started for not too much, but you will be buying molds, more colors, more glitter, more plastic, etc etc etc very soon! i started with 2 molds, bought another 2 a week later and now after 6 months i have 12 with another on the way, have probably 30+  colors, 30+  glitters, at least 10 pearls/hi-lights, 8 pyrex cups, it goes on and on!

[BuckeyeFishing]

Canga has a good list

I just started about 6 months ago. I bought most of my utensils and such at walmart. Anchor measuring cups, cheap 3 pack of cookie sheets, gloves, cheap butter knives, couple cheap pot holders, and some clamps. I bought my microwave from a used appliance store for $10 (do not use the one in your kitchen!)

I started out with a handful of colors and glitter from lurecraft and also bought a couple of their open pour molds. Personally, I found out I do not like hand pouring but they didn't cost much ($8 or so a piece) so I wasn't out that much. I have since bought an injector and a few injection molds (2 artificial stone molds and 2 aluminum basstackle molds). The stone molds aren't bad but I like the basstackle molds a lot better. Basstackle.com has some very affordable molds and they are  good quality, depending on what  baits he uses most. 

I also just bought some more plastic, I started out with a quart, should have bought a gallon. My last order I bought a couple gallons plus some more color, glitter, and hi-lites. 

The absolute basics to get started are plasisol, some colors, some glitter, heat stabilizer/softener, worm oil and some molds (an injector if you buy injection molds). Utensils and safety equipment  can be bought at a big box store, and he can add extra colors, glitters, and hi-lites/pearls over time. If he gets into it, he will want more molds and more plastic, he can just order additional colors and such then.

[Elf]

For basic bass colors make sure you get blue and black in both colorants and glitters. You'll also want watermelon and green pumpkin as colorants. Base colors like red, yellow, blue, white and black along with a color wheel would work also. Get 2 or 4 oz in the colorants and glitters, no sense spending a bunch on pints or quarts yet since you don't know for sure if he will enjoy this hobby or not.

If he fishes for panfish, (bluegill, crappie etc,) look at panfish baits at someplace like Bass Pro Shops or Cabela's to determine the most popular colors of colorant and glitter.

 

Canga and Buckeye both have good lists.