Thinking Of Starting To Pour Jigheads...

[Blues19]

Im thinking about getting a lead melting pot and some Do-It Molds to create some of my own jigs, but I'm not sure yet.  Have a few questions and figured yall are the best place to go ask.  First...  I live in a 2 bedroom apartment. No Garage and no basement.  Those would be the typical places I would consider putting a lead melting pot.  Not sure if it would be safe with fumes or lead dust floating around the small apartment.  I am also not sure if that is an issue or  not.  Is it a possibility to go outside and plug it in and do it on my porch, then when the lead all dries bring it in and put it in the spare bedroom?  Also, I was going to use the powder paint.  So to cure it I was thinking it would be best to get a little toaster oven and put it in that to cure, rather than use my food oven.  Are those feasable ideas or should I wait until I have an actual garage and a home of my own?  Just trying to be safe. Thanks in advance, fellas.

[smalljaw67]

Not having a dedicated work area is going to be a problem, the lead will melt at around 650 degrees or so and that is very hot, any kind of carpet it touches will ruin it. Outside is fine but it still has to be a place that is going to be ok when molten lead drips on it, so while it is possible I'd wait until you have a dedicated place to pour. If you have any friends that have a garage or basement try enlisting them to help, maybe you can go in 50-50 with someone on the molds or the pot or you can get the stuff and let them provide the place to pour, that would be better.

[MikeJames]

I don't know anything about melting lead but I do a bit of powder paint. Do not use an oven you cook food with. A small toaster oven will work just fine. I have a kitchen oven and toster oven in my garage. I use the toaster oven for smaller pieces so I don't have to heat the bigger oven for a small item.

[Mr_Scrogg]

You want good ventilation. Small apartment, I would say no. But, you can find jigheads already poured at a cheap price, paint and tie yourself. That's how I started till I bought a pot.

[Jig Man]

Have you considered buying jig heads already poured and painted?  You could pick your head style, colors and weights then have them made up.  You could then add the skirts to customize them the way you want.

 

Seibert Outdoors or Cadman may make you a good deal.  You can pm them on this site.

[cadman]

Ataris take all the information above to heart. Safety is #1 issue. You must have a stable bench to pour on along with a lot of ventilation. Pouring lead must be done over a covered area. What I mean by this is, do not pour outside in the open air. If you get any water or a bug lands in your hot lead, the moisture will make the lead explode and you will get seriously burned. You must be very aware and diligent of your surroundings when you are pouring lead. Powder painting inside the house or apartment is not an issue as there really is no smell. Also like mentioned have a dedicated toaster oven only for powder painting.

[Munkin]

Have you considered buying jig heads already poured and painted?  You could pick your head style, colors and weights then have them made up.  You could then add the skirts to customize them the way you want.

 

Seibert Outdoors or Cadman may make you a good deal.  You can pm them on this site.

 

This is what I would recommend to start.

 

I pour outside in a garage and have a $15 toaster oven I bought at Ollies just for powder paint.

 

Allen

[Siebert Outdoors]

I agree with all above.  Pouring lead in your place is not a good idea. 

[einscodek]

Id spend all the time and money involved instead on buying some good jigheads on sale esp on clearance end of seasons or big holiday sales and spend the time fishin and getting better at that instead

Its real easy to buy quality jigheads thez days and put yer own skirt on or rearrange skirts from other jigs and spinnerbaits and add yer own trailer.

just my 2 cents

[Blues19]

A friend of mine has lead melting pot. Hes done some of his own, so Im gonna use his at his place.  Thanks yall.  Im gonna get a toaster oven and  do my own powder painting. Thanks everyone.

[Bassun]

It looks like you nailed down a good place to work.  The two of you working together should be a ball - you guys can buy and share molds and learn together which is always fun.  I would suggest looking into buiding a cheap "fluid bed" for powder coating.  While it may not be "necessary"  somethings just work better and ultimately the finish may look better.  Well worth exploring since the solutions are pretty cheap.