Deceiver

Thanks for the info and advice Nova.

Sorry, new guy here, but what is a "split cup"? I've seen both hot plates and griddles used in the videos here on the boards...is one better than the other, or are they both serving the same basic need? Thanks

I've found a 700watt microwave oven for $30 new. It appeals to me because it is small and I have limited space to set up a work area. Is 700 watta Enoch power to get the job done? If I start doing two or more colors, will I need more than one oven? Thanks in advance!

Thank you longhorn. You aren't kidding about the detail the POP shows. I would've never figure that it would be so sharp. There is a gill slit and an eye on the side of the bait that I don't think you can see in the photo. It is a very fine detail on the original, and reproduced perfectly on the one I poured...I was amazed! The bait is one of my favorites. I fish it in the salt here in California in the bays, harbors and along the beaches. It's slender profile matches well with local bait fish such as the anchovy, sardine, and smelt. I feel it gets bit better at times because it is a bit more subtle.

TF, Thanks for the tips, very much appreciated. Would be interested to know more about the cups you are referring to as well. Frank, Thank you for the kind words. I am beyond please with how my first attempt turned out...SO many horror stories out there, but I guess that shows the benefit of posting boards like this...you can get a big head start by learning from others.

Well, I've been combing through the forums learning all I can about pouring my own plastics. I finally decided to give it a shot. I was not sure if this would be something I would continue doing so I didn't want to spring for a mold. As such, I made my own POP mold using a tutorial from this board...and using POP "liberated" from my wife's stash of craft supplies. I chose a favorite, and now no longer in production, swim bait for my master. I pulled out the cleanest one I could find so as to make the best quality mold. I used some clear "blister pack" plastic for a form...it's a little bigger than needed, but worked just fine. You can see the double-sided tape shape in the finished mold! LOL!...Hey, it worked. For plastic, I dug into my stash of rarely used plastics and grabbed a handful to melt down. I heated them on the stove with extra ventilation provided via fans and open windows, etc. I melted the plastic in a small disposable baking tin...approx 3"x5"...which made it easy to bend a fine spout into a corner for pouring. The attached picture shows the result. Though you can't see it in the picture, the bait came out nice and shiny...no bubbles, etc. It is a little uneven on the back as I over-poured a little near the tail...easy enough to trim back I guess. Anyway, I'm very happy with this first attempt and now want to get deeper into this. I still have to learn to cook plastic from it's "raw" state and color, accent, etc...but I think I'll figure that part out. Oh man, my credit card is gonna start smokin'!!!

Hi Chad, I'm new to all of this, but it might help if you post/show the colors you are trying to replicate and let the experts here have at them. Just a suggestion.

Thanks for putting that together Brett. Great info for a new guy like myself.