Making a bondo jig mold - pics/ video

[STUMP HUNTER]

I have been wanting to try to make a jig mold out of bondo and I found a head that I thought would be a good one to try. I already had some bondo so all I needed to buy was a small plastic cup to use as a mold. Started off using 90 weight gear oil to oil the cup, mixed enough bondo with 1/2 the hardener that I would normally use in bondo and poured the bondo into 1/2 depth of the cup. Oiled the jig and pushed it into the bondo 1/2 the way in with the hook just going into the bondo, I also cut three wood dowels and inserted them for index pins. I let the first half set for two hours and then pulled the jig out and re-oiled and replaced the jig then oiled the top of the first pour of my mold. Mixed enough bondo to pour the top half of the cup with the same hardener mix and poured it into the cup. Once I had all the bondo in the cup I tapped the cup on the counter a few times to make the bondo settle around the jig.
Let the mold set over night and pulled it apart this morning. Cleaned the edges of both pieces of the mold and drilled a hole down to where the lead needed to pour. Cleaned out the area around the bend of the hook so a #2 sickle hook would work in the mold. Sprayed the two pieces of mold with a release graphite coating.

Here are some pics of my 1/8oz mold and a video of the first pour. The mold works very well and it seemed to work better the more I poured with it.

[Fatman]

Nice looking jig - glad it worked for you. I tried makiing one a long time ago and it just didn't work, and haven't tried one since. How long did you have to wait for the bondo to cure until you poured. Wasn't sure if it was like plaster of paris where you had to wait almost 24 hours for the moisture to get out of it.

[STUMP HUNTER]

Fatman, I waited over night before pouring the lead this morning but with the heat that bondo builds while drying I wouldn't worry about any moisture being in the mold after a few hours.

Here is a jig I just tied that was poured in the mold.

[NIMROD]

That is very interesting. Does that jig wobble?

[STUMP HUNTER]

Yes it is called a Wobble Head. I have never used one but as you can tell I think they will be a good jig.

[Redge]

That's cool and I like that wobble head I'd try one of those myself!

[Fatman]

Finally got the video to work - it looks easy enough, but I'd have to go buy everything and can't leave it out.

[Robdogg]

Good video, I got plenty of lead, but need a new pot(old one burned out). Maybe I can put in for a new one Christmas. I like to cast bullets anyway, so it wouldn't be solely for jigs.
BTW, what size is the blue jig? 1/8 oz.?

[STUMP HUNTER]

Good video, I got plenty of lead, but need a new pot(old one burned out). Maybe I can put in for a new one Christmas. I like to cast bullets anyway, so it wouldn't be solely for jigs.
BTW, what size is the blue jig? 1/8 oz.?

Yes the jig is 1/8. Hope to try em this week.

[Cray]

Good video, I got plenty of lead, but need a new pot(old one burned out). Maybe I can put in for a new one Christmas. I like to cast bullets anyway, so it wouldn't be solely for jigs.
BTW, what size is the blue jig? 1/8 oz.?

Rob, check out a company called Lurecraft. They sell the replacement parts for Lee pots and seem reasonable on pricing.