Melting Lead

[bmkole]

I am toying with the idea of pouring my own jigs. I am going to start simple, regular ball heads and see how it goes. I'll probably play around with some powder coat and see how that goes as well. Before I get started I have some concerns. I have young children, and we all know that high amounts of lead can be toxic. What precautions, if any, do you guys take when heating lead and then shaving the flash? I was thinking, at the bare minimum, of some type of exhaust hood over the work bench. Thanks in advance for any advice.

[harshman]

In most cases hobby pouring puts off a very small amount of lead dust but you should at least have an exhaust fan in your work area that can carry away the amount of smoke that a single match can put off. make sure if you are in a enclosed enviroment that you have a sorce of fresh air coming in. I would also recommend using some type of cleaning wipes to clean up the area you are pouring in after you are done. As with most saftey precautions wear gloves and saftey glasses/goggles and long sleeves are preferable to short in case of splatter. It's kinda like bacon grease if you spill it it is going to go everywhere so use extra caution. These cautions should also apply if you are using paints , more ventalation the better espically around areas with kids. I know this adds alot of extras to your pouring but it is well worth it. Safety should never be compromised for easier work. You might also want to consider buying the heads already poured, it would he a little more cost effective up front and alot safer around your kids. I would be happy to assist if I could in any way, with places to buy or I'll even pour some for you.

Good Luck

Harshman

[bmkole]

Thanks for the tips Harshman.   It isn't really a matter of $$.  I live in NY and I'm just looking for a Winter hobby.   I figured it might as well feed my OTHER hobby.    Plus it think it would cool to catch some fish or maybe even win a club touney on a lure that I made.  I have been reading some of the other threads and visiting some other sites.   I looks like I could get started for around $100-$200.   The most $$$ going for the mold and the melting pot....a toaster oven when I am ready to add the paint.    I have browsed the major sites for supplies (jann's, Do-it, and basspro)....I have also been checking out Ebay.  Thanks again!  

[harshman]

Absolutely a great hobby to get into to help feed the bait monkey. No better feeling that catching a big fish on a home made. Good luck. Don't forget to show us some

[bassnleo]

Yep, it's cool to catch fish on stuff you pour. I'll pour stuff all winter, least it passes the time.

Advice though, if you do start, don't let your friends know, you'll be taking orders from them before you know it

[Siebert Outdoors]

Yep, it's cool to catch fish on stuff you pour. I'll pour stuff all winter, least it passes the time.

Advice though, if you do start, don't let your friends know, you'll be taking orders from them before you know it

Especially when they see your creations and you out fish them because you cant buy what you make.  Just remember on the water price is 10x's more LOL

[everettvet]

Word of caution for you.  DO NOT put wet lead into a hot melting pot of lead.  It will explode and go everywhere.  I know this from personal experience.  This happened to us while making decoy weights.  We were very lucky that serious injuries/burns did not happen.  As it happened I jumped to the other side of a freezer (hot lead missed me by couple of inches and my buddy jumped behind a lawnmower.  He got some bruises and scratches from the landing.  Just be careful!!!  

I know someone who pours his own jigs.  I am hoping he will show me some tricks!

[WCCT]

I highly recommend getting a small production type pourer for the lead.  I had one of the little hot pots(ladle) and it seriously burned my hand >.  Since I switched to the Lee Production pot, it has been smooth sailing