kendo Posted June 21, 2007 Report Share Posted June 21, 2007 Hello to everyone. I just got my molds in and I am pouring them with the microwave method.(Thanks to Del for the greats molds!) I wanted to know how do you keep the plastic thin enough to pour when pouring more than one stick. When I pour the first one everything come out ok. When I get to the second stick the plastic becomes thick and clumps clog the hole and ruining the stick. By then the plastic is cold and has to be thrown back in the microwave. I tried to heat up the plastic more than I am doing now and It burns. Any suggestions tips or help would be greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flying Fish Posted June 21, 2007 Report Share Posted June 21, 2007 Keep your plastic stirred well. If you see a few clumps of plastic in the cup, hit it for another 5-10 seconds in the microwave, remove, and stir. I pour my sticks with the plastic a tad on the cool side and I still don't have many problems with clumping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flabasspond Posted June 21, 2007 Report Share Posted June 21, 2007 Hey Kendo!! Like FF said ..SHORT 5-10 second burst, after your plastic gets close, and stirring after every burst, are the key. Most of the sticks I pour are two-color laminates and I HAVE to pour BOTH colors at 330-340F and I only pour 4 cavities at a time. I pour both colors with the mold closed and get about a 90% success rate. Remember with stick molds, it is impoertant to pour the CENTER of the hole. I like to think of it as the old water gun game at the midway....hit the clown in the middle of the mouth to win!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBC Posted June 21, 2007 Report Share Posted June 21, 2007 flabasspond, How are you pouring laminates with the mold closed??? I'm assuming you're pouring both colors at the same time but can't imagine how that would work? How do you get both streams down the center of the hole? Don't the colors mix where they meet? Now you have me wondering about this... Eric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flabasspond Posted June 21, 2007 Report Share Posted June 21, 2007 Hey Eric...no problem...I tried the pouring one cavity half way then closing the mold to finish the pour, and just DID NOT like the results. Perhaps it is just me - but the action on a stick bait is VERY SUBTLE...no matter how soft you pour it. I get my best action hooking the stick (I rig weightless, texas style 4/0 Gama SL WG...I'm in FLA remember) right along the seam...VERY IMPORTANT!! therefore that puts the laminate SIDEWAYS as it sinks. Probably no big deal to the fish, but it sure does bug me!!! SO... Heres how I do it...Molds must be warmed to almost hot...I usually pour 4-5 runs (all molds 4 cavity) of a solid color to warm the molds up. I ALWAYS must oil my molds (worm oil) between pours, it really seems to help. I warm up both colors to about 300 , going back and forth, which is when I then add scent, and my glitters. Yes, I am using 2 full TBLS. of popcorn salt to 4oz of MF SS I warm the first color (which is what I call the "belly color") to 330-340F when I take that out of the MW I put the second color cup in but dont start it yet.Stir first color well and pour a thin stream DOWN THE SEAM on one side of each cavity. I handle the mold with a leather glove so I can tilt the mold to pour at the easiest angle. I then start color two to warming right away and set the mold on its side to cool while the second color gets its warm up burst (about 15-20 seconds) When its hot enough, again 330-340F works best for me, I pick up the mold and pour the second color in a nice steady, steamy, thin stream RIGHT DOWN THE CENTER. I pour all four molds, wait a few seconds and then overfil all the cavities. If you want just the tails a different color pour a SMALL amout of the first color right down the center then follow as stated with the second color. I wish I could post some pics but the ancient computer I was left with when the kids moved out has no port to accept digital images, sorry. Colors like Red Shad, Tequila Sunrise, etc. are really easy to pour this way. I made some FireTiger last week with bright Orange belly and Chartreuse W/ big Black Glitter as the top (or dominate color) I KNOW if I can do this anyone else can, just a little practice is all it takes. I should tell you that my success rate goes down to about 70-80% when I pour six inch sticks (80% + with 5 inch) ....more volume I would guess...by the same token, it should work even better with a 4 inch stick....good luck, let me know how this works for you guys, I would never have gotten this far without the FANTASTIC advice I have gotten here at TU!!....Dave P.S. try this then I'll tell ya how I make a TWO -SIDED color with belly and top a different color!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kendo Posted June 22, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2007 thanks for all the help! its really good info to know. one last questions though. When you guys throw it back in the microwave do you mix the part that sticks to the the pour area of the cup? thats what causes me a lot of problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Predator Bass Baits Posted June 23, 2007 Report Share Posted June 23, 2007 yes peel it back in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nova Posted June 23, 2007 Report Share Posted June 23, 2007 You have to remember that each microwave is different. It will take time; and unfortunately plastic; for you to get used to using your micro. Some micros are much more powerful than others. Make sure the micro you are using has a turntable and you must set the pyrex in the center to get even heat. www.novalures.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
