Printable View
I used my new microwave today for the second time since i bought it. Tried some different things than first time used a 1/8 rod for a stir stick worked good, got my time more correct to keep my temp good. Did try it on some hand pours and was well pleased from what i had used in the past. I know these are not Crappie baits wanted to show them anyway. This is also a Crappie i caught a while back. Cub48
Nice crappie cub. I use 1/8th stainless welding rod bent at the end with vulcanizing tape wrapped around. The microwave I use is 1000 watts and has a 30 sec button which I find very handy.Those trick worms look great. I am still new at shooting plastic and enjoy learning new tricks. That plastic stinks and gives me a headache even though I have great ventilation. Thanks for sharing.
Welcome to the hobby. Have fun.
looks like you're doing a good job I definitely like the size of the baits welcome to plastics form I'm sure that you will find a lot good information on here.
Nice slab
That is another reason I have almost completely quit making baits. I have even tried it outside in open air with a mask and still can get a headache from it.Quote:
Originally Posted by ifish
Been doing plastic for a while, was using hot plate until now. this is the second time with the microwave the cup worked good with the hand pours, I injected some baby shad the first time scorched one batch but everything went well the second time. May try some two color hand pours next. Cub48
Get yourself a reliable digital thermometer and you'll almost eliminate the scorching issue. This is especially true with microwaves because things like to cook after they have come out of the unit. Microwaves have a learning curve and the thermometer will shorten that curve greatly. If you don't have stabilizer, get some. It too will save you a lot of bad plastic.
I'm really new to plastics but I'm just melting the endless tons I've acquired working on fishing boats, and using the jannscraft plunger built in molder. I've been getting hollow heads, but never had a scorching issue, should I heat it up more?
As CTom said get u a digital thermometer. I got mine at Home Depot. I heat my plastic at around 350 F. There is always a learning curve as what to do and not to do. First time i used the microwave i scorched a batch as i didn't check it after i got it liquid and over heated it. It was still usable just changed it from pink to salmon LOL. I was doing remelts on the batch i scorched. I don't have any stabilizer yet will get some the next time i order some plastic. I bought one plastic mold not the type u have, but it did not work good for me so i will stick with the aluminum molds. These in the pic were hand pours i have a 7" round finness worm and a baby shad injection molds. Wanting a creature bait mold but have not found what i am looking for. I am looking for one like the Rodent from Strike King also at a good price. Making plastics is one of my hobbies, I give more away than sell the ones in the pic's i gave away yesterday to a buddy of mine. Cub48Quote:
Originally Posted by nobles1995
Different plastic brands, different hardnesses of the plastics and differences in microwaves in power and minor little glitches make it imperative that a thermometer is used with any of the plastics. Timers and rheostats are only for ballpark guessing. Use the thermometer and you'll be a much happier camper.
The hollow heads mentioned are not a result of plastic that is too cool, but rather from air in the injector. Those built in plunger jobs are borderline useless because getting he air inside purged out before injecting is a mess.
I agree with the guys above one thing to remember is to not try to apply too much pressure when you are shooting another thing is improper venting of the mold make sure that you have proper venting also try to heat your mold it helps a lot.