I heat my molds on a single burner electric hot plate. Mold gets hotter a lot quicker than placing it on top of the melting pot. As for hooks I really don't worry about heating them as I live in Florida, but when I lived up north I would place the hooks on an old heating pad and then fold it in half over the hooks
I believe they were a special run that Barlow's had Eagle Claw make for them. They were available in 3/0, 4/0, 5/0 and 6/0 but are no longer being made. they are the exact same hook as the reg 635 hook but with a black platinum finish
Tyvek is FREE. Go to the post office and get the PRIORITY MAIL ENVELOPS , cut them to fit , either glue them to the bottom of cups or hold in with a test cap (with center knocked out )
Yes it states that you must let it cool down to 160 degrees before unplugging it. This can take upwards of an hour or more. It comes assembled with the base plate attached. There as a nut attached to the leg under the base plate, but you can not see how it is attached to the unit itself with out taking the whole thing apart.