Pouring Jigs

[Bobbyblue396]

When I'm pouring my jigs I have to keep my mold really hot. If not the jig doesn't pour all the way. I have watched YouTube videos and what I have seen nobody is having to get there molds that hot. I'm wondering if there is something I'm doing wrong.

[Ozark_Basser]

I do the same thing. I set the mold on top of the melting pot while its warming up. By the time the leads melted it's good to go. It keeps your first couple from pouring incomplete. I got that tip from smalljaw I think.

[Bobbyblue396]

I have tried doing that even use a heat gun to heat the mold. Once you start pouring do you have to keep heating your mold?

[Ozark_Basser]

Never. You might need to get your lead a little hotter. Which pot do you have?

[Bobbyblue396]

I have a Lee pro melting pot.

[Ozark_Basser]

Turn your dial up a little bit. If you have it on 4 or 5 turn it up to 6 or 7. The hotter it gets the longer it will take to solidify so it will be easier to fill the mold before it starts to harden because it will be less viscous. Don't get it too hot though. Also put your spout as close as you can to the entrance of the mold. If that doesn't work, something's up.

[Bluebasser86]

Do you flux your lead and do you put Drop Out on your molds? Those two things helped my pouring go much smoother. 

[Mista bass]

Do you flux your lead and do you put Drop Out on your molds? Those two things helped my pouring go much smoother.

I know what fluxing is but what do you mean drop out?

[Bluebasser86]

[smalljaw67]

Once your mold is hot and your jigs come out complete you should not have to reheat the mold. I put my mold on top of the pot when I plug it in and by the time the lead melts the mold is hot enough to pour, if you have to get your mold so hot that even the wood handles are warm then you have a problem. Normally it is scrap lead, most guys use old wheel weights or other scrap that has a high amount of antimony and lead like that needs to be hot as it "freezes" faster than pure soft lead. I get my lead from Roto Metals, I get both pure soft lead and 5% Antimony lead, I break the ingots down in a ladle pour furnace or pot and then I use my ingot mold to cast smaller ingots, the pure soft lead is cast into 1lb ingots and the 5% antimony lead is cast into 1/2lb ingots, this allows me to keep them separate without getting them mixed up and it allows me to make my own alloys. I use a 70% soft lead and 30% antimony lead for spinnerbaits, swim jigs and bladed swim jigs, and bottom contact jigs 1/4oz and under, and then I use a 60% soft lead with 40% antimony lead for all my heavier 3/8oz and up jigs. Making separate alloys isn't something you have to do but when I go with the 40% antimony, my pours have less problems when I heat the mold longer than I do for the lower concentration of hard lead.

[Bobbyblue396]

Thanks. I'm going to try all of these suggestions when I pour again and see if that helps me.

[Chad L]

i have been using Arsenal Drop Out for a few years and I get the complete pour on even the smallest jigs. Recommend cleaning your mold with thinner or alcohol to remove all old residue from candle smoke ect. Then spray a coat of Drop Out, the let dry and start pouring.

[SFL BassHunter]

Hey guys seems you have quite a bit of experience with making your own jig heads. Does this actually save money? I know initially it wouldn't because you would need to buy the equipment but in the long run what does making a jig cost you guys per jig. Approximately.

I like the entire concept of making my own stuff to use. Even pouring plastics has crossed my mind. I keep all my torn up stickos just in case some day I decide to make my own lol.

 

I already paint my own lures and rarely buy the stuff at the stores unless I see some color I just have to have that I know I can't make since I hand paint my lures with a brush. 

[Canyon explorer]

When I'm pouring my jigs I have to keep my mold really hot. If not the jig doesn't pour all the way. I have watched YouTube videos and what I have seen nobody is having to get there molds that hot. I'm wondering if there is something I'm doing wrong.

BB396, I use a propane torch on the inside to jump start my molds. Works like a charm.

[wnybassman]

I will pour several blanks before I start putting a hook in.   This heats up the mold faster than anything.

 

I don't start pouring as soon as the lead is melted.   It is still heating up and I will wait another 20+ minutes before pouring.

 

Softer lead pours easier and fills tricky molds better.    I have a stash of hard lead that I use for the easier to pour molds.   Hard lead will have a duller finish to it, and soft lead will have more of a shine.

 

I got into pouring my own heads because I dragged A LOT of tubes for smallmouth.   When you drag a lot, you loose a lot, sometime 40 or more a day.   Pouring these greatly saved me money and more than paid for my whole set-up.   Dropshot weights are like that now.   Other molds I have not recouped my money on, but over time I might.