Making my own jigs. I have Questions?

[drop-shot fool]

I know what kind of molds and hooks i want, but i noticed some different ways to paint the heads. Is powder paint the best, or vinyl, etc. I noticed too for the powder paint, you have to bake them. Is this necessary. I would like to hand tie the jigs rather than use a skirt collar, so what do i need to do this? I also read that hard lead is harder to use than soft lead. Any opinions on this? Any tips or advice would be nice.

[Jig Man]

Is powder paint the best, or vinyl, etc.

I think powder is the only way to go. You can bake them or not. If you want the paint to last a long time then bake them. All you need for that is a cheap toaster oven. I got mine for $5 in a garage sale.  You will also need to put pins in the holes and glue the weedguard in after the heads are painted.  I even wait till the skirts are on before adding the weedguard.

I would like to hand tie the jigs rather than use a skirt collar, so what do i need to do this?

You need a couple of pairs of pliers and some copper wire.

I also read that hard lead is harder to use than soft lead.

Lead with alloys like antimony are harder and need higher temps to melt. They also need a good fluxing if you want smooth pours on the heads.

If you really get into this and powder paint you will be wanting a fluid bed before long.

[Siebert Outdoors]

powder paint is the best.  Get a toaster oven from wallymart for 20 bucks and some powder.  Vinyl paint sucks.

[cadman]

Powder paint is the easiest to use with no fumes. If you want durability than yes you have to bake the jigs. Harder lead is harder to pour but in my opinion the paint stays on better. There are a lot of variables with painting, pouring and so on. Most of this you will learn by trial and error. You will have many questions as you start. The biggest issue in all of this is safety of pouring hot lead. Everyone here that posted gave you excellent info.

[BassBandit35]

some copper wire.

What gauge? Never create a jig myself. Attempting to.

[islandbass]

Another vote for the powder. I put mine in a place where I wouldn't forget it and it's driving me nuts because I cannot for the life of me remember where in the garage they are and I have a lot of jigs to color.

One tip for your heat source. I know some folks use a lighter and it can be used well.  However, I prefer and recommend getting some cans of sterno. You get a bigger flame to heat more of the head evenly and it eliminates the need to waste one hand to hold the lighter.

You can practice on something like pencil lead until you get the hang of it so you don't waste good heads.

[Jig Man]

some copper wire.

What gauge? Never create a jig myself. Attempting to.

I don't know the gauge of wire as it came out of an old table saw motor.  I have been using it for about 15 years and it looks like I have another 15 years of wire left.

IB, I heat my heads 12-18 at a time in the toaster oven.  That is a lot faster for me and I don't have to mess with flames.

[cadman]

A lot of guys use 24 to 26 ga wire. I tie my skirts on with thread. It's a personal choice. I use a heat gun to heat my jigs and then powder paint them.

[ranger 361]

hi jigman, i don't know if if have asked you yet, but do you know who is the manufacture of rattles for jigs, i get them now from lure parts on line but the cost is high, or if anyone out there knows where stamlin or barlows get them i would like to know thanks  ranger361

[islandbass]

some copper wire.

What gauge? Never create a jig myself. Attempting to.

I don't know the gauge of wire as it came out of an old table saw motor. I have been using it for about 15 years and it looks like I have another 15 years of wire left.

IB, I heat my heads 12-18 at a time in the toaster oven. That is a lot faster for me and I don't have to mess with flames.

That is a great idea! If I start painting them on a larger scale, I will definitely go that route. I can see how nicely and evenly heated each jig head would be and you could use the same oven to harden the paint. 8-)

[Jig Man]

hi jigman, i don't know if if have asked you yet, but do you know who is the manufacture of rattles for jigs, i get them now from lure parts on line but the cost is high, or if anyone out there knows where stamlin or barlows get them i would like to know thanks ranger361

Sorry but I can't help.  I don't use rattles on my jigs.