I was looking online for shakyhead molds and noticed they all cost about 40 bucks. With a wife and 3 kids plus all the money already invested in fishing for this year that is out of the question. So I decided to make my own. I took two pieces of old aluminum that were about 1/4 inches thick in a 4inchx4inch and clamped them together. Then I took a shaky head and traced out several outlines on the top keeping the head close to the sides so the hook is outside the mold.. I then took a very small drill bit and drilled a small hole at the center of each head through one piece and in to the other piece. That created a guide so that both halves could line up later. I also drilled 2) 1/4 inch holes so that I could stick a 1/4 inch pin in and ensure they were line up perfect.
Then I took a 5/8 drill bit and open the mold using a drill press cut down half way through both half’s on every head. I took a drill bit the size of the hook shaft and put the mold back together with the 2) 1/4 inch pins in it. I turned the mold on its side where the hooks would be coming out of the mold and drilled in. The hardest part is drilling a hole for the hook eye. Open the mold back up and place your hook in the channel that you just created. trace out the eye and find a drill bit slightly bigger than the eye, making sure that the hole you drill doesn't touch the hole for the lead head. You will have to create the hole for the hook eye on both halves of your mold.
Then take a counter sink bit and open the very first holes you drilled through the outlined shakyheads. Don’t drill a hole bigger than 5/8 or you will have a uneven head. This will become your pour holes. When pouring lay the mold down and over fill each hole. When you over fill each hole you can take pliers and the break the lead flush with the mold. If you fill it up perfect and don’t over fill you will have nothing to grab and won’t be able to get the mold apart. Then get to pouring. You will have to file some lead once it comes out of the mold on the pour hole side .
I will post pictures of the finish product ones I get a oven and start powder coating!
Jay-
