Pouring My Own Jigs

[gwrightf150]

I just got into making my own jigs. I purchased a 20lb lead pot and a couple of jig molds and all the goodies. Made my first set of jigs a couple of weeks ago and all went well. I tried making more last night but I'm having an issue that maybe someone out here can help me with. I was making 5/16 and 7/16 round head, weedless jigs. The 7/16 poured perfectly, however, the 5/16 didn't go so well. The lead didn't seem to get down into the (not sure of the correct terms) base (the bottom of the jig head where the the ring is at). I've tried adjusting the temp, tried heating the jig mold, the pot seems to be pouring normally (no clog). I poured probably 30 times and only got 9 of them to turn out. Some would be missing half the side, some just a small portion. I don't see anything on the mold that's keeping the lead from getting to the bottom. I do pour them in my unheated garage, is that the issue? Any thoughts?

[Wayne SW/MO]

I've tried adjusting the temp, tried heating the jig mold,

That was my first thought. It still sounds like a cooling to fast problem. If you have a hot plate you might try sitting the mold on it. You could also let the mold set on the pot for a time, if you haven't already, to make sure its hot.

[denjac]

Might be inputities in the lead. Are you using odds and ends for your lead or are you using virgin doe run lead? Some lead products have zink in them and makes for hard spots or slag in the lead. Zinc needs 700- 800 degrees to pour well and most molds wont hold up to that. Whens the last time you emptied your melting pot and started with new? Dross or sedidiment will settle in the bottom of the pot, its like gooey mud or lava. Used lead spells trouble in the long haul.

[Sam]

You might just be pouring too slow. You've got to get the lead right in there while it's still liquid, and every winter when I pour jigheads I have to get the "feel" of it all over again. Until I do, I get partially-filled molds where the lead didn't make it to the bottom.

[Dutch]

I have poured 10s of 1000s of jigs. All molds and sizes withing molds are different. All lead is different. Most of it contains antimony or other stuff. Pure lead melts at 621°F. That being said you probaly don't have pure lead so higher heat will probably be needed.

Some things for you to do: Plug in your pot and put the mold on top of it. Put the hooks some place where they can get warmed up (base of mold, under a heat lamp, etc). When the lead if flowing freely, flux it with some candle or bee's wax. Try some pours.

If that doesn't work then you have two choices: smoke your mold with a candle or wait till warm weather. I have over 20 molds and have only had to smoke one of them. Usually heating everything up and fluxing fixes my pours.

[Wayne SW/MO]

It could be simply that you're not getting the mold warm enough. The mold around the 5/16 heads is thicker and needs more heat.

[gwrightf150]

I did buy 99% pure/fluxed lead so the seller said on ebay. The pot is new and has only had about 3 pounds poured through it this far. I will clean and flux it next time and get the sediment out when i fire it back up. I didn't even think about warming the hooks and I probably didn't get the mold warm enough and i will try a higher temp on the lead. It does sound like a heating issue and my lead is cooling too fast, i doubt my garage was more that 35 degrees and i did have all the hooks and molds sitting in the garage before i started. Thank you all for the input and i'll give it another try.

[Dutch]

I think you are making progress already. Report back and let us know how it goes.

[Fat Boy]

I pour more jigs in a yrs time than 20 men could hang and break off. After about 2 jigs take a old spoon and scrape the side of your melting pot. Pour a few more and repeat again. I have good lead that I pour these jigs and heads with down to 1/16 ounce and after I went threw these steps got it right , just pour and try,

[Rolan Duffield]

The first thing that causes this is that the lead is cooling too fast. Here's some things you might try.

1. Take an old (narrow) putty knife and occassionally stir the lead. Then scrape off the slag that forms on top of the melted lead. Any slag in the lead will hamper pouring results. Be very careful as the lead is probably 700 to 800 degrees.

2. Make sure the mold is hot before you pour the lead. Set the mold over the lead pot to heat it up. Lead will pour much better when the mold is hot. This is especially needed when pouring very small jigs.

3. Keep the pot very close to the mold when pouring the lead. Lead will actually set in a second or two thats why you need to be as close as possible to the mold. I prefer to use the electric "Lee Production Pot" which allows you to set and control the temp of the lead. It also has a small tip below the pot that allows you to place the mold almost directly in contact with the bottom of the pot. It also prevents most slag problems because the lead is coming from the bottom of the pot.

4. Make certain the throat of the mold is polished. Any roughness will hamper your efforts.

5. Take an old candle, light it and hold the sides of the mold over it to coat the mold surfaces with the candle black. This seems to help transfer the lead easier and helps hold the heat while pouring the lead.

6. Does the mold fit together too tightly? This isn't a normal problem though if it is, you may need to provide an air excape vent in the lower part of the mold.

6. Last resort-- check the size of the mold throat. Perhaps its rough or too small for your needs.

Hope this helps. Let us know about your results.

Rolan