Super User Jigfishn10 Posted February 1, 2014 Super User Posted February 1, 2014 Hey all, I'm in the process of making a mold for a new jig head concept. It's a plastic jig head fortified by tungsten powder. The mix will bear an exact weight of the leaded jig head. The neat thing about it is you can add a colorant in the plastic/tungsten mix and it will be colored thru the head. I got some lead poison head jig heads from Siebert Outdoors 3/8 oz and 1/2 oz and currently they are in a rubber mold drying. I should be able to finish making the mold tomorrow and will be pouring some heads next weekend. Whatchya think about the concept? 2 Quote
JeziHogg Posted February 1, 2014 Posted February 1, 2014 So you're melting the plastic then putting the tungsten powder into it, then pouring? Quote
Super User Jigfishn10 Posted February 1, 2014 Author Super User Posted February 1, 2014 So you're melting the plastic then putting the tungsten powder into it, then pouring? Not quite, you mix an "A" part with a "B" catalyst part like you would with epoxy, then add tungsten powder, which comes in like a fine saw dust. Pour like you would lead and let set for 5-7 min before extracting from the mold. Add dye to the "A" and "B parts and you get a colored thru plastic. Specific gravity on plastic is 1.1 and adding tungsten powder in a 1:1 ratio will give you the density and weight of a lead jig. If you're wondering why? Lead ban on jighead less than an oz here in MA. Alternative, that's all. 1 Quote
JeziHogg Posted February 1, 2014 Posted February 1, 2014 I'm really intrigued, Id love to see some final product. Quote
Super User MCS Posted February 2, 2014 Super User Posted February 2, 2014 Sounds cool man! post up pics of the process. If it is anything like your other stuff it will be great. Sign me up for a couple 3/8 lol 1 Quote
Super User smalljaw67 Posted February 2, 2014 Super User Posted February 2, 2014 I want to see this also, great concept if it works. Quote
Super User Jigfishn10 Posted February 2, 2014 Author Super User Posted February 2, 2014 Just finish pouring the second side to the mold and the first side looked really good. If all goes well, we'll be able to cast our first jighead tomorrow. One good thing happened, the second side of the mold didn't take as much RTV product, so I made a mold for brake weights to my old baitcaster. I could never find the parts to it, so as I was pouring the second side, the idea came to me. 1 Quote
Super User Munkin Posted February 5, 2014 Super User Posted February 5, 2014 Getting the density correct is the hard part IMO. I have tried the 2 part epoxies and have made several shakey heads but getting enough tungsten powder mixed in to create a density equal to or greater than lead has been the problem. If you have this problem solved please post it because at $45 a pound tungsten powder is expensive to experiment with. Allen Quote
Siebert Outdoors Posted February 5, 2014 Posted February 5, 2014 The problems I've run into when trying this is the powder makes the resin brittle due to incomplete bonding. If you figure it out I'm interested also. Quote
Super User Jigfishn10 Posted February 5, 2014 Author Super User Posted February 5, 2014 Getting the density correct is the hard part IMO. I have tried the 2 part epoxies and have made several shakey heads but getting enough tungsten powder mixed in to create a density equal to or greater than lead has been the problem. If you have this problem solved please post it because at $45 a pound tungsten powder is expensive to experiment with. Allen I don't believe I paid quite that much and I know this isn't a cheaper alternative, but an alternative to comply with our laws. Plus it's just darn fun to experiment with plastics. I made lipless cranks last year using pretty muck the same process just not with tungsten powder. I'll get pretty darn close with the weight on a 1:1 mix ratio, but if you think of it, going less tungsten gives you different weights. The plastic alone still has a specific gravity of 1.1, so it will still sink. The problems I've run into when trying this is the powder makes the resin brittle due to incomplete bonding. If you figure it out I'm interested also. According to the manufacturer, you can use up to a 1:1 mix ratio and still have your plastic pour like water. Any more tungsten, then it's like pancake batter. Quote
Super User Jigfishn10 Posted February 5, 2014 Author Super User Posted February 5, 2014 Sounds cool man! post up pics of the process. If it is anything like your other stuff it will be great. Sign me up for a couple 3/8 lol You got it Bud! 1 Quote
Super User Munkin Posted February 5, 2014 Super User Posted February 5, 2014 http://s1187.photobucket.com/user/Munkin275/media/100_7400.jpg.html?sort=3&o=18 I have made crankbaits before using the process you are describing. The ones above I used a 1 to 0.8 ratio for the micro balloons so they would float. The orange bait has dye that was added to the mixing process so it is solid orange. I am good at building these but my painting skills are horrible. Allen 1 Quote
Super User Jigfishn10 Posted February 5, 2014 Author Super User Posted February 5, 2014 http://s1187.photobucket.com/user/Munkin275/media/100_7400.jpg.html?sort=3&o=18 I have made crankbaits before using the process you are describing. The ones above I used a 1 to 0.8 ratio for the micro balloons so they would float. The orange bait has dye that was added to the mixing process so it is solid orange. I am good at building these but my painting skills are horrible. Allen Came out great! I with you when it comes to painting...LOL...I made a 2 piece lipless crank mold and cranks last year as my first project with plastic. I gave MCS one and he went out and caught 2 bass on 1 cast. I thought about making jigs and adding colorants this time around, just waiting on some hooks to come in so I can start making them. Here's the lipless crank I sent to MCS last season: As you can see my painting skills needs work, a lot of work...LMAO! 1 Quote
Super User Munkin Posted February 5, 2014 Super User Posted February 5, 2014 Mine are solid bodies and I doubt if they can be broken. For a scientific experiment on durability I ran one over with my full size Yukon and it survived. Allen 1 Quote
Super User MCS Posted February 5, 2014 Super User Posted February 5, 2014 Came out great! I with you when it comes to painting...LOL...I made a 2 piece lipless crank mold and cranks last year as my first project with plastic. I gave MCS one and he went out and caught 2 bass on 1 cast. I thought about making jigs and adding colorants this time around, just waiting on some hooks to come in so I can start making them. Here's the lipless crank I sent to MCS last season: As you can see my painting skills needs work, a lot of work...LMAO! Thee bass thought it looked GREAT! Only complaint from them was it had hooks lol 1 Quote
Super User Jigfishn10 Posted February 15, 2014 Author Super User Posted February 15, 2014 Hooks finally came in, here's a simple black & blue craw: Some lessons learned that I will post later. 2 Quote
Super User MCS Posted February 15, 2014 Super User Posted February 15, 2014 Looks great man! Really digging it. That thing looks like it is gonna catch some nice bass. 1 Quote
Super User Munkin Posted February 18, 2014 Super User Posted February 18, 2014 Interested in what you learned and any other pics you are willing to post. I was going to try and make some of these this weekend but my part B of the resin is no longer good. Allen 1 Quote
Super User Jigfishn10 Posted February 18, 2014 Author Super User Posted February 18, 2014 Interested in what you learned and any other pics you are willing to post. I was going to try and make some of these this weekend but my part B of the resin is no longer good. Allen Just sent a message. Quote
Super User deaknh03 Posted February 23, 2014 Super User Posted February 23, 2014 John, none of this happened until you send me a sample. Quote
Super User Jigfishn10 Posted February 23, 2014 Author Super User Posted February 23, 2014 John, none of this happened until you send me a sample. ROFL...You got it bud! Quote
starcraft1 Posted February 23, 2014 Posted February 23, 2014 I'm really interested in your process. Out here in Calif. the same thing is going to happen as far as the lead ban. I make jigs for guys out here and would be very interested in talking to you. Thanks Bruce, Paradise tackle. Quote
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