tad Posted December 29, 2006 Report Share Posted December 29, 2006 Plastic got to thick to fast. It was also cloudy and had lots of small bubbles. Tried to reheat and my pan was catching on fire. All suggestions very much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
millsryno Posted December 29, 2006 Report Share Posted December 29, 2006 My suggestion is to ditch the pan, get a pyrex cup and a cheap Wal-mart microwave. It will cook your plastic faster and easier. Your total cost for a pyrex and microwave is probably $45. Also, the plastic will start in a milk color and consistancy, during cooking it will thicken up to a thick gel, then it will turn to a clear liquid the consistancy of a thick pancake syrup. Try to cook it without any colrant in it to watch it go through the phases. You can add colorant after it cooks. Bubble may be caused from not cooking it enough, after it goes through the gel phase and thins out, the bubbles will cook out. I try not to mix during this gel phase as it will likely trap more bubbles. I try to stir before and after it gels. Also, if you are using a wooden stir stick, it will likely add bubbles. Use a spoon or a knife or something metal. Hope that helps. Keep at it and you will master it in no time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diver466 Posted December 30, 2006 Report Share Posted December 30, 2006 Use a glass candy thermometer as your stir stick and you can watch your temp, and also no bubbles this way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassn1 Posted December 30, 2006 Report Share Posted December 30, 2006 Congrats...sounds like you just burned your first cup of plastic. Don't worry, it happens. If your using a pan and a burner it takes longer to heat. Use a medium setting and keep stiring. You will notice how the plastic changes as you stir. Best bet is to get a cheap micro and a Pyrex cup.....I've managed to burn it myself in a micro too.................. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tad Posted December 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2006 Thanks again for the help guys. The microwave made a world of difference for me. 3 or 4 minutes and the plastic was hot enough and thin enough to pour a 5" bait with a curly tail in a 2 pc plaster mold without an injector. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Predator Bass Baits Posted December 31, 2006 Report Share Posted December 31, 2006 Be carfull with the plaster molds, if plastic gets to hot it could crack the mold. I would like to see and hear how you poured a curly tail 2 piece mold, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tad Posted January 1, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 1, 2007 Tr21x I just followed one of the tutorials on this site for making two part plaster molds. The only thing I added was air release holes at the end of the curly tail. I drilled small holes right through the sides of both halves of the mold at the end of the tails. I don't have a means of posting pictures, sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...