Melting Old Plastics - How?

[Bartableman7]

What's the best way to melt down small pieces I cut up to re-mold?  Small pot on a heater coil?  Microwave low?  I tried a pot, but it kept starting on fire.  What's the best technique?  Thanks for any guidance.  I just want to hand pour into an open mold.

[Fishingmickey]

Double boiler maybe?

FM

[J Francho]

Microwave 

[Bartableman7]

Using a microwave...on high?  50% power with longer time?

[Danika 327]

2 hours ago, Bartableman7 said:

What's the best way to melt down small pieces I cut up to re-mold?  Small pot on a heater coil?  Microwave low?  I tried a pot, but it kept starting on fire.  What's the best technique?  Thanks for any guidance.  I just want to hand pour into an open mold.

The way I do mine is get a pyrex 2 cup measuring cup and just put in the pieces and then put it in the microwave for 30-45 sec intervals mixing it until it gets to be about 350-400 degrees f but i found out that 360-375 degrees works best for me. 

[J Francho]

1 hour ago, Danika 327 said:

The way I do mine is get a pyrex 2 cup measuring cup and just put in the pieces and then put it in the microwave for 30-45 sec intervals mixing it until it gets to be about 350-400 degrees f but i found out that 360-375 degrees works best for me. 

Pretty much this.  It's a trial and effort deal.

[purpurite]

Use a little raw Plastisol with the old cut down plastic, and use a heat stabilizer. Microwave back up until it melts down again. Stir often.

[12poundbass]

Make sure it’s in the kitchen microwave! ??

[J Francho]

Lol, I use an old nuke designated for my workshop. 

[Jig Man]

400 is too high unless you want to scorch it.

[Spankey]

I know nothing about making plastic baits. Nada thing. But many moons ago I got hooked on a great color for my river smallie fishing. My most productive tube. The owner told me that the pattern was from mixing his scraps and recycling them and that’s how it came about. 

[Jig Man]

17 hours ago, Bartableman7 said:

Using a microwave...on high?  50% power with longer time?

I start on high for 1 minute.  I take it out and stir it.  Put it back for 1 minute take it out and stir it.  Repeat until it has melted.  Then I switch to 30 second cycles.  I check the temp with my infrared thermometer often.

[Munkin]

On 3/4/2022 at 7:12 AM, Jig Man said:

I start on high for 1 minute.  I take it out and stir it.  Put it back for 1 minute take it out and stir it.  Repeat until it has melted.  Then I switch to 30 second cycles.  I check the temp with my infrared thermometer often.

 

This is how I do it as well.  I stir with a metal thermometer so I know the temperature. 

 

Allen 

[T-Billy]

I too add my remelt to a little virgin plastisol + heat stabilizer. I use ceramic coated cast iron pots on a hotplate. Nice even consistent heat. No scorching ever.