Jig Head Molds

[KCNitro]

I am looking to start making my own jig heads. What are your favorite molds for making a jig head to swim a grub with? Shakey heads?

I was looking at the do-it molds from bps, any thoughts on these?

Also what type of paint do you recommend?

[Dutch]

That is a whole can of worms that you are fixing to open. There are lots of good molds. Do-It is the only company whose molds I have.

Things you will need:

Mold $30-45@

Lee Lead pot $50

Lead $2 per pound if you have to buy it

Hooks

Powder paint $6 for 2 oz

Fluid bed $100

Toaster oven $39

That is for the first jig head. After that one the cost seems to go down a bit.

Unless you get your hooks in 1000 quanities you will pay through the nose for them. Also if you only plan to use say 10 dz a year you probably could buy them cheaper.

That being said I like ball and minnow heads in 1/16, 1/8, and 1/4 oz.

Go to the Do-It website and see what all they have to offer. BPS only carries a smidgen of the total offerings.

[Kansas Fly Fisher]

Okay, my curiosity is up now. I think I understand the toaster oven; for the powder paint curing? But, the fluid bed has me puzzled or maybe I don't understand what you mean by fluid bed. Please explain.

Thanks,

John

[Dutch]

Fluid bed is what it is called when you have an air chamber with a paint cup above it. The air causes the powder paint to suspend and allows a good even coating with minimal use of paint. They are pricey but can be built for less than $40. They give a good even finish to the jigs.

http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/paint-dipping...6020000002.aspx

[shaker]

Look at www.barlowstackle.com they have a lots of do-it molds and everything else you would need. I use vinyl paint myself, I cast all of my jigs and use them as plain lead mostly, I don't paint that many and just use a few colors so the vinyl paint is much cheaper for me. If I want a special color sometime I'll buy some automotive touchup paint and use that.

[KCNitro]

Looks like there is some cost up front but I still want to do this. To save money I may not go the powder paint method just yet.

Thanks for the info!

[Dutch]

To save money you might go to pre painted heads bought from some small company.

[shaker]

One thing to think about if you have no experience with molten lead is that it is very dangerous stuff, ware safety glasses and protective clothing and clean hands and face throughly before eating, keep hands away from your face and absolutly do not allow any water around molten lead! One drop can cause a pot of lead to explode. I don't mean to scare you just be cautious and throughly research casting and pouring lead. I have been casting jigs and bullets for about 45 years and never had a serious problem, but there were a few serious scares involved, mainly melthing down old pipe that had touch of water in it. Whenever I do that now I do it outside, pour that into ingots and use those inside in a vented area. Again I do not mean to scare you off just be carefull. What I like about making my own is to use whatever style hook that I think that I might need to get the job done. I would be happy to help any way that I can.

[Dutch]

I have poured a lot of lead and only once had an accident. That time I watched some molten lead solidify on my thigh. It wasn't a pretty site and did smell quite a bit. When I wear shorts I am always reminded of those hard to pour spinnerbaits.

[loo10]

This is just my 2 cents.....

I don't think you need any $100 fluid bed.

Never even heard of such a thing & I've tied loads of jigs.

Pour the jigs,

heat 'em with a lighter,

dip them in the powder paint,

cure them in a toaster oven if you want,

& dress them to fit your preferences.

Heck fire, we're talking about JIGS here...

You might lose it on a stump the first time you cast it out!!!!

No big deal...keep it cheap & just tie on another one.