'Best' Plastic

woodsac · December 2nd, 2004

We all know nobody can prove which plastic is the 'best', because what works for you might not work for everyone else.

With that said, let's try and answer the most common plastic question asked,
"What plastic should I buy, which one is the best?"

Feel free to leave comments stating why you believe the brand you picked is the best. But, try and be fair. If you have not used more than 1 brand of plastic, make sure you state the qualities that convinced you to return to that brand.

Here are some of the plastic providers:

Del-Mart/Calhoun Plastic
M-F Plastic
Lurecraft

There are other sources for plastic and supplies, but these seem to be the most widely used.

NJFishRGuy · December 18th, 2004

I'm a real newcomer to this but I've tried both the Calhouns and the M-F. Both seem like good products to me, but I favor the Calhouns a bit because it seems (to me, at least) a little softer and a little easier to deal with in the Pyrex between pours.

On the downside, my experience is that the Calhouns smokes more while heating it from its raw state before it starts thickening, although that seems to decrease after thickening to be about the same as the M-F.

I've only used the microwave technique.

Just my two cents...

RobShaw · December 24th, 2004

I found the results of this poll to be very interesting. Im curious if the majority of the respondents that favor Calhoun routinely purchase your plastic in the 1 gallon container?. When I buy plastic, it's either in a 55 gallon drum or at a minimum, a 5 gal container.

The 55 gallon drum of Calhoun that we purchased directly from the source was nearly as bad as Lure Craft (separation). For the last 10 years or so, Ive found that the M-F Super Soft (I have no affiliation whatsoever) to be the most consistent for me.

But as stated above...whatever works for you is the best. I am curious though about the 1 gallon container question...thanks.

woodsac · December 24th, 2004

Thanks Rob. Those are the kind of replies that will help out the new guy.

I have always purchased my Calhoun in 5 gallon buckets. The separation is there, but it's liquid and easily mixed with a drill. Where as the LC is a hard seperation that sticks to the bottom. Very difficult to mix up.

To me, the price of Calhouns offsets the mixing factor. I would rather take 3 or 4 minutes to mix as opposed to paying the high prices of MF.

siebler_custom_baits · December 24th, 2004

Thought i had posted before on this topic, Oh well.

When io first started i bought 10 gallons of MF and a ton of molds for 100.00 and sold moldsand then had 20.00 and 10 gallons. MF is great plastic but the price (unless you get deal like i did) is not worth it and i found it to burn easy. My experience with LC was great and i loved it price wise and quality. I am now onto calhorn. Cheaper and i like it although i preffer other 2 companies a little more. Even though its cheaper i think this calhorn plastic is good and i will continue to buy it from del, Only if it came in the gallon jug instead of bucket.

I voted calhorn as best because of the quality although the price is more. If you are a begginer i would say get LC or calhorn then move up if you enjoy pouring.

NJFishRGuy · December 25th, 2004

I purchased the Calhouns in a one gallon container and stirred it for 5 minutes with a drill-powered stirrer. I then poured a quart into a smaller container that I shake extensively before each use.

As I said, IMHO I feel both Calhouns and M-F are both great products!

bassbusta01 · December 25th, 2004

Well I have been using lurecraft for three years now and I love the stuff. One reason it does not burn. I have got it to burn maybe twice in three years.Yes it does separate bad but it mixes up really nice 5 minutes with drill and walla.You need to add a little softner well I do. I like super soft baits. Pours nice and sets up nice mixes well with softner. I have nothing bad to say about this product.on a scale of 1-10 I give it a 10. :P
I have not yet tried any other plastic at this time maybe all these comments may change my mind.

Joe S. · December 28th, 2004

I have used both the LC and Calhouns, I'm using calhouns now because I can pay through paypal and don't have to use my c.c. very convenient.
I like both of them, I did like the LC jugs better than the bucket, I just got a 5 gallon bucket of calhoun, I just pick it up and shake the crap out of it and it mixes very well for me, the LC did settle on the bottom if it sat for a little while even in the one gallon jug. I rarely have any settling from the calhouns so far.

vishezfish · January 13th, 2005

I LIke both LC and Calhoun....
Only problem for me is the gallon bucket for Calhoun mentioned before.....

Other than that its all good to me. Calhound and Lc were pretty eqaul to me on the smoke thing!!

Thanks

dtrs5kprs · February 2nd, 2005

Lurecraft. Despite all the above issues, some of which are 100% accurate, it hot pot pours well, and is consistent. Plus I have always had great customer service. Example: one time UPS blew up a 5 gallon bucket of 536. Dave called me to let me know & it was replaced, end of story. Some companies would have left me to haggle it out with UPS.

BTW, can you imagine being the poor UPS guy who popped that open. Bet you couldn't stand up in that big brown truck for weeks LMAO!!!!