Pour your own plastics - help

[Fishnngolfn]

I am looking to start pouring my own plastics for me and some church buddies, but I don't even know where to start. Some of my questions are below but I know I will have more once I get started. I know I will need a ventilation system similar to the one shown in the pouring lead thread.

What kind of pot do I need to melt the plastic and how hot does it need to get up to?
Is there any special tools needed?
Where do I get molds for worms and lizards?
Where do I get the plastic to melt?
Will regular table salt work for salt injected lures?
Where do I get flakes to mix with the plastic?
How do I make a two color worm or lizard (body one color, tail a different color)?

Will this really save me some money in the long run or is this something that should be treated like father/son time? Or both?

[chubs]

Fng,Delmart molds has what your looking for and theres a few others as well.

And for will this save you money!No probably not, but its the satisfaction of you made and it caught fish!

[Bender]

It will cost more, I'm pretty sure.
Start with a "Stick Kit" from Del-Mart, that has all you need to get started. Some people use microwaves to heat their plastic but I tried it at first and it didn't work too well. I use hot plates to heat it and stainless sauce pans and a steel tablespoon to stir.
http://www.del-mart.com/shop/home.php?cat=254

[Raul]

Video

As for molds, better invest in something good and long lasting: aluminum, they do cost an arm and a leg but Del Mart has the best and some pretty kool ones.

[BigBassin144]

www.jannsnetcraft.com

BB

[zooker]

i agree with bender get the kit... the trick is ya have to follow the instrutions to the letter or you'll end up with a mess...



zooker

[Bender]

I get a lot of stuff from Janns, but not their plastic stuff. Their molds are only for using with their injector and are dangerous, here is just one of the testimonials about this: www.del-mart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=529
I really like Janns for everything else, they have great customer service, ship quickly, good prices, etc.
For plastics: www.del-mart.com www.lurecraft.com www.fishingworld.com/M-F-Manufacturing/ www.ozarktackle.com just to name a few.
For aluminum molds try Del Mart and www.bobstackleshack.com , Lurecraft also has just started to carry some.

Edit: I forgot to say ebay, you can find some really cheap deals on mold every once in a while.

[Fishnngolfn]

Thanks guys. It looks like it will be something that I will invest in when I see that my son likes fishing. I initially didn't see any lizard molds at del-mart.

[Raul]

Lizard molds at Del-Mart

[Fishnngolfn]

Thanks. I haven't had much time to look around the sites a lot since you guys posted them.

[66KingFisher]

I used to pour all my own lead items and even tied my own flies for years, but like you i've been thinkin about pouring my own plastics recently. The best site i've run across that delt with making your own tackle has been www.tackleunderground.com

Check out their "how-to" section on soft plastics.....lots of great info for the do it yourself tackle builder.

[Fishing Fanatic]

Hey FnG,
You might want to consider starting out by "recycling" old plastics. Thats what I do. It will give you an idea of what its like to make your own. I save my used/torn worms and melt them down to make new ones. I made a 6 worm mold from plaster of paris and I use a portable camp stove to melt down the plastic. Real simple and it makes fairly good reproductions of my favorite worms. The plaster of paris is cheap stuff that you can find at Lowe's. Here are some 4" senko type worms that I made a couple weeks ago.

[Fishnngolfn]

I didn't think about that. I will begin to save my old torn plastics for melting.

[UltimateLunker]

Here is a good link on pouring your own plastics

http://ultimatelunker.com/forums/ubb...er=786#Post786