Cleaning lead off hooks and wire frames

[scaleface]

I have  spinnerbaits and buzzbaits molds . When an in-complete pour happens  , how do you salvage the hook and wire to   reuse ? 

[Jig Man]

I dip them in the lead pot and melt it off.  Then I let it cool and scrape with an old knife blade.  I have high school fishing team kids making baits at my house a lot so we are often doing this.

[cadman]

I do something similar  to what Jig Man does. I dip bad jig in pot, however once I pull it out of the pot, I take the hook and wipe it thru a pair of old jeans. The lead comes right off and the hook is clean for next time use. You can do the same with wireforms.

[scaleface]

I'm having a hard time getting a perfect pour on the buzzbaits. I have some useable baits  but there is always a flaw somewhere .  I might have to shorten the wire form ever so slightly .

[cadman]

29 minutes ago, scaleface said:

I'm having a hard time getting a perfect pour on the buzzbaits. I have some useable baits  but there is always a flaw somewhere .  I might have to shorten the wire form ever so slightly .

Is it the keel buzzbait from Do-It? If so, they are a P.I.T.A to pour. If you need help with that , I can call you to discuss all of your options.

[scaleface]

1 minute ago, cadman said:

Is it the keel buzzbait from Do-It? If so, they are a P.I.T.A to pour. If you need help with that , I can call you to discuss all of your options.

No, its the one called buzz-spin . 

[cadman]

2 minutes ago, scaleface said:

No, its the one called buzz-spin . 

probably the same problem as the keel buzz bait. Do you have some pics we can see to assess what is going on? Some things to try:

 

Coat mold with Drop-Out. (90% of your problems will go away).

Make sure hooks are hot along with wireform

If the hook eye or the wireform are sticking out of the sides, get a smaller hook or move hook eye over center of lead body.

[scaleface]

46 minutes ago, cadman said:

Do you have some pics we can see to assess what is going on? Some things to try:

Here is one of my better results , but the wire form is still showing . 

 

46 minutes ago, cadman said:

 

[cadman]

4 hours ago, scaleface said:

Here is one of my better results , but the wire form is still showing . 

 

Crimp the wireform over the hook eye so it is flat. Then move the connection closer to the center of the cavity body. You will then get good pours.

[scaleface]

15 hours ago, cadman said:

Crimp the wireform over the hook eye so it is flat. Then move the connection closer to the center of the cavity body. You will then get good pours.

Thats what I  was   thinking   .  I''ll have to shorten the upper arm  , as they are as far back in the groove as they will go . Being they come from Do-It I figured  they   would   come   at  the correct length .

[Munkin]

I dip them back in the pot then hit them with a wire tooth brush which seems to work.

 

Allen

[scaleface]

I bought some Drop Out , sprayed  the mold . Made sure the hook and u-bend were in the middle of the cavity . Poured three  without the hook and wire to heat the mold up and got three perfect pours . Then tried to pour six buzzbaits and every single one did not fill in the collar . Should I spray a second coat of drop Out in it ?

[Jig Man]

I used to have a spinnerbait mold that caused similar problems.  My best cure was to place everything in the mold then run a propane torch over the hook and wire form connection.  Then pour the lead quickly.  I also had to run the pot very hot.

[scaleface]

I finally got some good pours and when I do get a unsatisfactory one , I immediately redip it   , melt the lead , slap it back in the mold and re-pour . That second pour with the hot hook and wire always poured nicely . Then after the session was  finished i just re-dip the hooks with lead  to clean them off .  Now I want to paint. Thinking about getting some powder paint at Harbor Freight .

 

 

[Jig Man]

Powder paint is the way to go.  Next you will be wanting to build yourself a fluid bed.  ?

[cadman]

On 8/20/2018 at 10:28 AM, scaleface said:

I finally got some good pours and when I do get a unsatisfactory one , I immediately redip it   , melt the lead , slap it back in the mold and re-pour . That second pour with the hot hook and wire always poured nicely . Then after the session was  finished i just re-dip the hooks with lead  to clean them off .  Now I want to paint. Thinking about getting some powder paint at Harbor Freight .

 

 

I would try to find another source for powder paint. Harbor Freight powder paints are poor in adhesion in my opinion. You have a PM