Just bought my first mold, I think it is called open sided mold. My question is does it matter what wattage microwave I need to melt the plastic? I will be mainly recycling old baits. Any info or tips would be appreciated.

Low and slow. first round about 2 minutes, then 30 second increments stirring well! If you burn it, throw it out. Wattage shouldn't matter, just watch the temp of the plastisol. You get the best results if you put some fresh plastisol in with the clean recycles.

As long as the plastic temperature is less than 300 degrees, it should pour easily into open pour molds and even into injection molds.
But always remember - once plastic burns and produces smoke, IT CAN KILL YOU BY SUFFOCATION !!!!

Plastic isn't fully cooked until the temp reaches 350 otherwise you'll have a sticky mess. The wattage of the micro is important, using a lower watt (900) you can leave it set on full power whereas the higher wattage you will most likely need to reduce the power. Cooking in a micro if you're cooking 8oz should be 1 min stir 1 min stir 45 second stir bump 15 seconds. It's also helpful with a hand pour open face mold (aluminum) to heat it prior to use, it will make it much easier to get baits that you don't have so much flash to trim off. If you're using flake .035 or larger heat the mold so you can run your plastic at sub 350, this will prevent the heavy flake from falling to the top.
Since you're recycling better be prepared for the odors that you'll be creating some are terrible.

Thanks for the replies. Got my mold in the mail now I’m m just looking for a cheap microwave to put out in the shop.

You need to get a temperature gun, they got them at Harbor Freight or ebay,



For re-melt plastic add heat stabilizer, just a few drops per cup.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/254603208715?hash=item3b4788a80b:g:aqkAAOSwtVpexqKy

Heating plastic.
This will depend on the amount that you are heating & the power of your microwave. I use a 1200 Watt.
1 cup of plastic will heat pretty fast
1 minute stir
30 sec. stir
30 sec stir
20 sec stir & it's ready.
I heat to 325 to 340, do not overheat... If you burn plastic, you will know it. get it out of your shop.

Be well ventilated
ALL plastic smokes when heated...
Do not pour in shorts and flip flops, wear gloves & glasses. Be safe and enjoy your new hobby.

Good Luck,
Rube

Thanks for all the help. Hope to get started this weekend. All I need is a temp gun.

Agree with everyone except I used to use a candy thermometer to prevent my plastic from getting above 300 degrees and a bit lower for preheated plastic.

David follows the same method I do - heat until stirrable with a metal butter knife and then in increments until fully liquid. Don't need to use a thermometer anymore.
Injected plastic lures come out perfect (no bubbles) after the mold is heated by one pour which is never a problem with top-pour cavities.

900 watt microwaves are perfect for me. The slower you can heat plastisol to conversion temp (350 F) the clearer it will turn out. I use Dead on Plastics only just for this reason. It has given me the best results of all other brands I have tried