How to get started

[Preytorien]

I'm interested in doing a bit of soft plastics recycling in my own garage. I use about 80% soft plastics throughout the year, so as you can imagine, I tear quite a few senkos, creature baits, and flukes along the way. I'd like to look into getting a mold and being able to melt down torn baits to make new ones.

What all is needed? I know I would need a mold, but I'm not really sure where to go from there.

Any direction would be great. Thanks guys

[soflabasser]

There are many premade molds you can buy online and you can make your own molds to make soft plastics the exact shape and size you want.

[Jig-Man]

First you need to understand that not all used baits can be melted down and reused.  Secondly if you mix up the colors of baits you will end up with brown.  Another thing is baits that contain salt are kind of a pain as the salt settles to the bottom.

Lure Craft, Jann's Net Craft, Bait Junkies, Bear's Baits, Barlows and many others offer molds.  You will need an open pour mold.  You will need a dedicated hot plate and pan or a dedicated microwave oven and pyrex cup.  You need some good gloves and something to use as a stir stick as the plastisol melts.

I want to warn you in advance that I started out the same way.  Now I have several hot plates, pans, microwave, nor por cups, pyrex cups, dozens of molds, several injectors, boxes of colorant and glitter.  I have no idea how much money I have tied up but I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Before you get to going on this please go to www.tackleunderground.com and read the Don'ts for Newbies.  It could save you serious injury and lots of money.

[Preytorien]

Wow it sounds pretty involved. I think I'll do some more research before I make the leap. Thanks Jig-Man

[Jaw1]

jig man has given you sound advice,all i wanted to add is that you can make molds out of plaster of paris(spray the mold with a sealer,or spray enamel to make your baits turn out smooth)  or bondo.  I decided to do exactly what you are comtemplating a few years ago and although i got quite a few usable baits out of my scrap it just wasnt something i enjoyed. Ill stick with pouring lead and carving but to each his own

[William Rossi]

Get a small microwave for a few bucks at a yard sale. Get a one or two cup size Pyrex measuring cup.

Lurecraft has many inexpensive open pour molds for cheap.

I use oven mitts from the dollar store.

All you really need to melt old baits and pour.

Also good advise from Jig-man.

Secret to reheating is short heat cycles on micro. 15-30 secs and stir stir stir. I use an old butter knife. It will burn easily. 

[IndianaFinesse]

Is there any reason that you can't melt it in a microwave that is being used for food?

[Team9nine]

9 minutes ago, IndianaFinesse said:

Is there any reason that you can't melt it in a microwave that is being used for food?

Depends upon your age and whether you are concerned with being able to successfully reproduce at some point in the future

Plastics tend to release VOCs (volatile organic compounds) when heated/melted. Cooking food in a microwave that has had these compounds released (and likely coating the inside of the microwave) isn't the brightest idea in the world...but then again, some people also eat fish out of the White River

-T9

[IndianaFinesse]

9 hours ago, Team9nine said:

Depends upon your age and whether you are concerned with being able to successfully reproduce at some point in the future

Plastics tend to release VOCs (volatile organic compounds) when heated/melted. Cooking food in a microwave that has had these compounds released (and likely coating the inside of the microwave) isn't the brightest idea in the world...but then again, some people also eat fish out of the White River

-T9

Oh.