How much money does it cost to start pouring my own plastics? Including molds, plastic stuff, softener, coloring, everything.

Also, is there a site where i can get all this stuff at?

Thanks Matt

also, how long will a gallon of the liquid plastic stuff last. (like how many worms can you make with one gallon)

that stuff is crazy expesive...

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/pouring_plastic_worms_supplies.html

Prices vary for plastic, glitter, softener, dyes and molds and it pays to see what each source charges for shipping. You can make many of your own molds for pennies from plaster of paris or get superb aluminum molds anywhere from $20-120 ea. Lurecraft.com has cheap silicone molds in hundreds of styles, which are adequate for the beginner. Fine salt costs 79 cents /26 oz. at the supermarket and a very important ingredient for weighting plastic.

The soft plastics forum on www.tackleunderground.com has specific answers to questions, contributed by some very talented fellows.

i'm thinking of making my own molds.

but i have a couple questions....

when you said:

"After the mold hardens and dries, remove the form and, for-one part molds, coat the cavity and upper surface with sealer."

What do you mean by "sealer"? like the stuff you use to seal ceramics?

and is there a store i can get plastic from? i'm guessing it is pricey to ship a gallon of that stuff.

Thanks

Matt

Lurecraft has everything you need to get started. http://www.lurecraft.com

Aluminum molds are the best available, but I also use some silicone molds.  

I'm familiar with the colored coat used on ceramics before placed in a kiln, but haven't heard of it being used on soft plastic molds. Might be a good idea if it's thin enough and detailed enough when dry. I use a wallboard coat by Valspar that is glossy, water soluble, dries fast, withstands 300 degree heat and doesn't peel. I'm sure craft stores might have something similar to seal stone, concrete and clay.

i just started getting into this and it has not been cheap.  it seemed like it was gonna be cheap but all the little things add up.  a more disciplined person could make some plaster molds, get a gallon of plastic and a couple colors and get going for like 50 bucks.  that was my plan.  once i got into it though i wanted aluminum molds and a lot more colors, glitters, and a bunch of odds and ends and spent prlly 300-400 bucks.  it is fun and my 3 year old son likes it so i dont mind but if you are interested in doing it to save money there are probably better ways to spend your time.

matt

After start up, this hobby saves some money.  However when you first start you are going to want lots of things (at least I did).  I have found that I enjoy this as much as I do fishing.  I know I'm probably in the minority saying that but I do, I find it relaxing and the more I have done it the more I enjoy it.  I get a kick out figuring out new baits, colors, salt ratio's and what have you.  So basically take this hobby as you would any, as something that's gonna cost something, give something, and entertain you as well.