Hi there I have look through this area and found some good stuff that will help me start pouring my own plastices.  I am very interested in doing this over the winter as I get ready for next spring.  

What I could not find was using older worm as a souce of plastic.  I asume that this is possible but is it worth it, I have quite a bit of worms that I do not have confidence in and would like to melt them down to creat some thing new.  How do you do this, can you do this and is it a good way or at least worth a try for a first time pour.

Any information would be helpful thanks in advance.

I read some where just recently that you do have to be careful on melting down just any baits. I just can't find it right now. I'll PM you

This can be done,, use a microwave,,but there will be some fumes so you should wear some type of mask & use a micro that you will not be using for food.Get a used one at a yard sale.Should also have a vented room, fan to exhaust fumes or do it out in the garage with doors open or out side.Make sure you get a good measure cup. Glass by Pyrex or Anchor Hocking use these 2 only.They are the best and cheap ones can exsplode under the heat.

now cut up the worms into 1/2 " long pc. Then make sure you have the 1 cup glass measure cup at least 1/2 full with cut up worm pc.Then put in micro for 1 minute, then take out and stir ( some guys use gloves ) heat again for 1 minute & stir. when they start to melt drop the heat sessions down to 30 seconds. If you over heat these they will burn.So us short heat sessions & stir each time. Try to melt worms ( or other baits ) that are the similar color, if you mix a bunch of colors your not sure what color it will turn out.Also some brands do not melt as good as others.

if you would like more info.

 

Thank you for the good info.  8-)

You would be better off buying a small container of plastic from a fishing retailer.  Mostly due to the fact that there are less fumes in it, it is almost odorless.  Then some colors you prefer to play around with.  You can even add flakes, and pearlescent colors, to produce desired colors.  My brother in law does it for an on the side business, and it's not too overly expensive to buy everything you need.

Here is a list of what he uses:

pyrex container (don't use anchor, or other brands, as they could explode with heating multiple times)

He buys his plastic liquid from an online retailer (name eludes me right now)

molds (your choice) he pours worms mostly.

He melts his plastic initially in a microwave, then transfers it to a small lee production pot (which keeps the temperature

pretty consistent until he is ready to pour it.)

And his colors (which he buys from the same online retailer as plastics)

I think so far, he has spent 200 bucks, including the 10 gallons of plastics he has bought thus far, that includes everything except the lee pot, that he got from a friend.  Not too bad.    So it can be done cheaply, but it takes some practice, and knowledge about how to do it...  A lot of reading happened when he started!    Have fun, and work with it!

Thanks wickyman, I woud much rather use new plastics rather than used, but may give it a shot just to see what I can do.

Plus I am planning on making my own molds to start with, as I learn more I will purchase more.  Thanks for you comments I will be using your list soon.

I have and still use Anchor & Pyrex with no issues.

My brother in law had two anchor cups shatter in his microwave, might have been bad cups.  I don't know, I just prefer my pyrex cup.  

And you are very welcome, the info was free to me, so it's free for everyone else.  You like how I did that?!  haha  Just remember, when heating up old plastics, that the stench could, and might possibly cause health issues.  

I would do it in a shop, and not in the house!  haha  The wife might not like it...  I know, I don't like the smell...  And that you could possibly scorch the old plastics.  Do rotations of 20 second intervals, stirring it each time, for up to 1 minute and 30 seconds, give or take.  It all depends on the power of your microwave.  Good luck!

you cant melt most plastics, but aviod powerbait, it wont melt down properly

I personally don't mess around with old plastics, it emits the most noxious gas...  It smells like someone is melting down old tires that ran over a garlic/anise field...  It's horrible!  I bet it would cause cancer... haha  But what doesnt?

I have small children may be a child indangerment thing maybe I should think about this.  Spend the money on bottled palstic is a better idea, plus I am sure that once I melt the first batch of used plastic the wife will devorce me  .  Bottle plastic it is .

You can always mix a few of the worms you have in with the bottled plastic. use them up a few at a time.

That might be a good idea, waist not want not, or so they say

The best thing I can tell you is not to do it inside unless you can contain the fumes and get them vented quick! Remelts of store bought baits is an iffy proposition. I know that people do it, but i believe it is best to start with virign plastic. You can get about 400 senkos from a gallon of plastic.

www.bearsbaits.com

www.tackleunderground.com

Those are a couple of places that have a ton of info for pouring soft plastics. The forum sections are where some answers to your questions will be.

This is easier.