What other metals could be used for jigs?

[Corker]

Several types of metal have been mentioned as possible alternatives to lead jig heads. Can we produce a list that would compare material cost, melting point, and sphere diameter for a typical jig (1/16 or 1/8 oz., for example)?

[GCD]

As I mentioned in another thread there's tin, and there's also bismuth.

Tin melts at 450*F, you can buy it here:
TIN Ingot form 99.8+%- Pure

Bismuth melts at 520*F, and it can be purchased here:
Pure Bismuth Ingot from Rotometals

There's also antimony, but it melts at 1166*F and may not be feasible for conventional lead melting furnaces. You can buy it here:
http://www.rotometals.com/Antimony-s/1.htm

All of these materials are much more expensive than lead per pound, but by being considerably lighter than lead you will get more jigs per pound... but your jigs will be lighter and you may need to increase the size of them.

I for one will be stocking up on lead, and if lead is outlawed... this outlaw will be fishing with lead!

.. btw, you can buy lead at Rotometals too. They have great service and free shipping if you buy a large enough quantity... I like the "Hardball" mix for my jigs.

[PanMan_VA]

Element, Melting Point °F, Density lb/in^3

Tungsten, 5432, .71
Tin, 450, .26
Zinc, 786, .26

Lead, 621, .41

An alloy consisting mostly of tin and zinc with just enough tungsten to raise the density may work as long as the melting point does not get too high. Lead, tin, and zinc are often alloyed to get different properties. Their melting points are fairly close together.

Brass or bronze may be a suitable substitute. The MP is around 1600°F and density is 25%-30% less than lead.

Gold is much denser but has a melting point of nearly 2000°F. Tungsten is as dense as gold but has a much higher melting point. Tungsten is our material of choice to balance our payloads. The high melting point helps for vehicles heating up due to high speeds.

The volume of a sphere is 4/3*PI*r^3 not correcting for the volume the wire hook occupies. I do not know the diameters of the jig heads made with Do-It molds so I cannot calculate the loss of weight when using less dense metals right now. I'll let someone else do that.

[crappiedoc]

Zinc is also on the toxic list
Bismuth- KS Board of Healing Arts vs. Dr. John Toth 2006 (I believe)
The good Dr. had his license centured first, then revoked and received a
32 month prison sentence for using "non-toxic" bismuth in the treatment
of Lyme disease which resulted in a patiences death from over exposure
of heavy metals. Truth is they use the phrase NON TOXIC, when in reality
it should be "less toxic". However they don't have the studies or timelines
needed to substanciate their claims. On the periodic chart Pb is 82 far ahead
of the non-toxics. Translation: it's more stable
Tungstun- another accepted non-toxic (BS) I'm not sure of the numbers,
but all metals with high melting points create large amounts of Mercury as
a "by-product" in the smelting process.

I hope this helps because KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

[Corker]

Here's what I'm getting out of this discussion.

1. Jig heads can be cast from non-lead metals--both primary metals and alloys.
2. DIY fabrication is limited to metals with melting points that can be reached using affordable melting pots.
3. Metals with melting points at or below lead are prohibitively expensive.
4. All molds will have to be replaced in order to cast items of a particular weight using metals with densities lower than lead.

What am I missing?

[Flatwater]

this is an excel file lets see it it paste correctly
Fusible Alloys
Bismuth Lead Tin Cadmium Indium Temp S.G. Notes
% % % % % °F
44.7 22.6 8.3 5.3 19.1 117 9.26 Cerralow 117
50 25 12.5 12.5 149 9.73 (4:2:1:1)
32.5 16.5 51 149 9.23 Field's Metal
50 26.9 12.7 10.4 149 9.29 Lipowitz's Metal, Cerrobend
50.1 26.6 13.3 10 158 9.76 Wood's Metal, Lipowitz's Metal, Cerrobend
50 26.7 13.3 10 158 9.29 see above
38.4 30.8 15.4 15.4 160 9.71
47.4 19.4 20 13.3 160 9.3 Guthrie's Metal
50 25 12.5 12.5 165 9.29 Wood's Metal, (4:2:1:1)
27.5 27.5 10.5 34.5 167 9.55
50 34.5 9.3 6.2 171 10.03
50 31.3 18.8 176 9.31 D'Arcet's Alloy
50 25 25 187 9.57
50 25 25 200 9.31 Rose's Metal, D'Arcet's Metal, (6:1:1)
50 31.2 18.8 201 9.82
66.7 16.7 16.7 201 9.31 (4:1:1)
50 31.3 18.8 202 9.31 (8:5:3)
62.5 37.5 202 9.34 (5:3)
50 18.8 31.3 202 9.32 Newton's Metal, (8:5:3)
55.6 33.3 11.1 203 8.83 (5:3:1)
50 25 25 203 8.87
47 35.5 17.5 208 9.92
50 18.8 31.3 208 9.32 (8:5:3)
50 30 20 212 9.31 Newton's Metal (5:3:2)
55.6 11.1 33.3 212 9.33 (5:1:3)
42.1 42.1 15.8 226 10.06
40 40 20 235 9.93
50 10 40 240 9.33
36.5 36.5 27 243 9.7
33.3 33.4 33.3 253 9.49
50 50 257 9.28
30.8 38.4 30.8 266 9.63
28.5 43 28.5 270 9.76
50 50 286 9.35
22.2 44.4 33.4 289 9.66
21 42 37 289 9.53
20 40 40 293 9.42
19 38 43 298 9.32
25 50 25 300 9.96
23.5 47 29.5 304 9.8
18.1 36.2 45.7 304 9.22
14.8 40.2 45 307 9.3
15.3 38.8 45.9 309 9.26
14 43 43 309 9.4
17.3 34.6 48.1 311 9.14
16 36 48 311 9.16
100 314 7.31 Pure Indium
16.6 33.2 50.2 316 9.06
10.8 43.2 46 318 9.32
13.7 44.8 41.5 320 z
11.2 44.4 44.4 320 9.38
10.5 42 47.5 320 9.27
10.2 41 48.8 322 9.22
10 40 50 324 9.17
13.3 46.6 40.1 329 9.53
11.4 45.6 43 329 9.44
11.7 46.8 41.5 333 9.49
40 60 334 9.34
25 75 334 9.36
33.3 66.7 336 9.36
12.8 49 38.2 342 9.61
12.5 50 37.5 352 9.64
33.3 66.7 360 9.35
37 63 361 9.34 Solder
11.1 88.9 392 9.38
25 75 392 9.36
100 449 8.6 Pure Cadmium
50 50 466 9.33
66.7 33.3 475 9.3
100 520 9.8 Pure Bismuth
100 610 11.37 Pure Lead
100 621 7.29 Pure Tin

This one is not toxic , no cadmium or lead, however it cost!!! 32.5 16.5 51 149 9.23 Field's Metal