I'm looking to start pouring soft plastics  what's a good way to start and a list of equipment

 

You need:

 

Plastisol

Colorant

Glitter

Molds

------------

A way to melt it (hot plate or microwave)

Containers to hold the melted plastisol (pans for hot plate or pyrex or nor por cups for microwave)

 

Gloves

Infrared themometer

 

Check out places like Bear's Baits, Lure Craft, Barlow's, Jann's Net Craft, etc.  Some of them have starter kits which will contain enough to get you started.  Then in a few years with dozens of colorants, many molds, and more baits than you can ever use you can look back and say to yourself, "that's where I spent all those hundreds of dollard".

If you want to do it cheap you can make your own molds and remelt your old or unused plastics. I started that way. Go on youtube and type in making worm molds, plaster of paris. You can remelt old plastic in a microwave but dont over do it, cause in can burn. Or you can buy a electric flat top burner from walmart, aluminum small pots and melt your plastic that way. The best is to do this in an area with plenty of ventilation and I always wear a paper painters mask for the fumes.

Go on www.howtomakebait.com. It helped me.

Just remember the paper masks painters use are not for fumes. Those are for particulates. If you can't do this in a well ventilated area or outside you want to invest in a Niosh approved respirator and cartridges for organic vapor.

I just bought a bunch of stuff from lurecraft to get me started.  I intend to melt some of my old plastics and use them in the molds.  I am making senko type worms.  I just need to know how much salt to add.  Anyone have a clue?

To match the fall of a real Senko add 4 heaping teaspoons of salt per cup. Use the finest salt you can. Pickling salt from Walmart is OK. Some powder the salt in a coffee grinder to suspend better but that makes the baits cloudy and opaque. Also add 2 tbsp softener as the salt stiffens the plastic. Make sure you stir frequently.

I use the soft formula from LC as well as their salt.

 

4 ounces plastic

2 ounces salt

1 ounce softener

 

If you are remelting old plastic and adding salt you'll just have to wing it I guess.

 

A respirator is a must.  I couldn't do it without it.

Felix, buy Diamond -"the finer salt" in the supermarket. It suspends better. I start out with 2 tablespoons per cup of plastic. If the lure is too light (but remember the hook adds weight), I remelt and add more salt.

 

You don't even need a mold to pour for the first time. Anyone want to know how, pm me. The lures produced are phenomenal!

 

(BTW, FYI glitter sold in craft stores will not withstand high temps and melts down to nothing and if metal based will start a fire in the microwave and smoke like crazy !!!!  The fumes are toxic and you can choke to death!!! Stay with gltter from lurecraft, MF or me.

 

Just PM'd you.  

Ventilation is a must.... Wear heat proof gloves and make sure you have protective clothing over your arms and legs and body. No matter how careful you think you are being accidents still  happen. 

Just PM'd you.  

X2

I am new to making my own lures...am wondering if there are any suppliers in Canada, of the liquid plastic that is used in making lure bodies??? Just less a hassle if I can buy more locally...

 

 Then in a few years with dozens of colorants, many molds, and more baits than you can ever use you can look back and say to yourself, "that's where I spent all those hundreds of dollard".

That's me with 3 years of jig making and there's more molds to buy.LOL

Rodney