Thread: pouring jigs

Pre Heat the mold and do some test runs.

1 more heat
2 soft lead
3 flux

I just posted this in another thread in the jig and lure making section but it may help here also.


I melt, skim, clean and flux all of my lead in a 12 inch wide by about 4 inch deep cast iron skillet outside using a propane jet ( 88K BTUs) . The propane jet will literally boil 50 pounds of lead. It will turn a lead brick that weighs around 30 lbs to liquid in about 15 minutes.

I put all of my lead in this pot carefully making sure there is no moisture inside of it. I also keep a lid close by to put on top of the pot, in case I see it starting to bubble. After the lead melts, I will skim off the top layer and discard in a large metal can. This stuff if junk and not even worth your time to mess with. I will then lower the temp for a few minutes and then reheat. Again I skim the top of any slag that is left. I may do this a couple of times, depending on how dirty the lead is. I will then take either beeswax or piece of long candles and put into the pot. At this point the top of the lead is going to turn completely black. I skim this off a few times after the wax has completely melted and spread itself across the pot. The use of the beeswax or candle wax is also known as fluxing.

At this point, I will start putting the now very clean lead, into ingots. The lead should actually look like silver at this time. I myself prefer to use an 8 oz bank sinker mold for this. There are a couple of reasons I use the bank sinker mold. One it is an easy way to keep track of how much lead I have in inventory. 2, I can fit four of these ingots easily into my production pot at just about any time to start making jig heads, sinkers, or weights.

I use a Lee production pot for pouring my jig heads and sinkers. I know they say it is only good for up to one ounce sinkers but I have actually poured 8 ounce sinkers with this mold. I will leave the mold on top of the production pot for 15 to 30 minutes before I start pouring to preheat the mold. I have very little problems with having to repour due to either the lead being dirty or the mold being to cool using this process.

CAUTION AND WARNING. Always wear long sleeve shirts, jeans, and boots when playing with this stuff. It will burn you like you have never been burned before. I think the melting point of lead is somewhere around 600 or 700 degrees ferenheight (sp), I think it boils around 900 degrees. Also be sure to wear heavy gloves when handling hot lead as well as eye protection.

I hope this helps some folks out.

Bobo

Great post Bobo. That explains most questions for the newbie. I was going to comment but it's all been covered. I will add that using the production pot with dirty lead will also cause problems. The dirt seems to stick to the sides and clogs the pour spout, necessitating a full tear down and clean. That is occasionally needed but done much more often with acquired lead just dumped into the pro pot. Didn't want to spend the money for the first one but won't hesitate to buy another if I do much more than I do now.

Originally Posted by skeetbum

Great post Bobo. That explains most questions for the newbie. I was going to comment but it's all been covered. I will add that using the production pot with dirty lead will also cause problems. The dirt seems to stick to the sides and clogs the pour spout, necessitating a full tear down and clean. That is occasionally needed but done much more often with acquired lead just dumped into the pro pot. Didn't want to spend the money for the first one but won't hesitate to buy another if I do much more than I do now.

Thank you Skeet, I am also thinking about getting another production pot. I have found a really good deal here in town on one with a few molds. I just need to get the funds up to get it. Thanks again buddy.

Bobo

Thanks for all the advise . I guess i need to buy a pot . I usually do this outside so ventalation is not a problem . I figur emy biggest problem is i am not getting it hot enough . Thanks again .

If this is your type ladle take a triangle file and make sure you hit the V of the spout and make a straight groove, it will give you a finer pouring stream.