Since I dont have a melting pot what would be the best way to melt down old soft plastics so i can re-pour them into molds of other lures.

Pyrex measuring cup and microwave.

you will also need a mold of some sort.  If you are only doing this a little bit that would be all, but you may also want to invest in some heat stabilizer and perhaps some more plastic as adding some plastic and stabilizer will make a higher quality bait.  

Now that I think about it, as much soft plastic as I throw away I sure would save alot of money melting them.....Im seriously going to look into this

I will start my first pour tomorrow morning. My first question will be: Do I just leave what ever mixed material I do not use, in the container and just reheat when needed? :

thomas

thomas,

once the plastic is cooled you will be able to peel whatever plastic is left in the contain out if you wish in one false swoop.  It's not difficult cleanup.

Thomas I would recommend heating very slowly to start out.  Maybe heat for 15 seconds, stir, 15 seconds, stir, etc. until the plastic has fully melted.  I tried to use old plastics to pour some baits once, but the quality just wasn't there.  Also if you are pouring thing such as curly tail worms or lizards with small apendages, old plastic will be difficult if not impossible to use because it is so thick.

If you want contact M-F Manufacturing, they sent me a free bottle of their plastic...just had to pay S&H.

reelnmn,

Thank you for the information. I'll contact them today. I do believe I'm going to enjoy this little hobby.

thomas

It is really easy, I have been making my own tubes, lizards, and beavers now for about four months.  You need to find something to do to keep busy during the non fishing months up here in VT.  The only thing with reheating old plastics is the odor.  For some reason when you reheat old plastics, made originally by a name brand, the odor tends to be much worse than when you are just making them from scratch, so make sure you are in a well ventilated area.  Reheating old plastics also requires a much hotter temperature to be ready to pour than new plastic out of the bottle.  Feel free to ask me any questions, as I have made all the errors and am now pretty good at it.