Thinking about pouring

[gridiron]

I'm thinking I would like to pour my own jig heads. Want to use sickle hooks and make jigs 1/16-1/32oz. What are the "popular" molds to use? Do-it molds RHB-8-1632? Is there a mold that does 1/8,1/16 & 1/32? Thanks guys!

[Fatman]

Closest one to it is an assorted mold Round Head Jig - Tapered Barb Collar - RVB-6-SA 1/80 1/64 1/32 1/16 1/8 1/4, now if you're only using those three sizes you could get the RHB-8-1632 for the 1/16 & 1/32, and a production 1/8th. Now since you're referencing that mold I will assume you're going to use plastics. If you're not using just plastics and you want to tie you can tie on a collar but alot of guys prefer non-collar for tying. For the longest time I just cut the collars off when I was tying jigs, and it saved me buying another mold.

The assortment mold I suggested makes many sizes but really doesn't help you in a production setting. If cost isn't a factor and you prefer the collared you could buy a production mold for each size.

The only other way to have one mold for all three size's is to contact Robert at Crazy Angler and have him make you a custom but you'd be looking at roughly $125 or more, but you'd have what you want.

If you need more info let us know and we'll help you out.

Fatman

[gridiron]

I think I will go with the RHB-8-1632 mold. I'll be making them for me and friends. I still need a pot and ladle. I'm thinking because I'm pouring such a low number that I can stay low tech. Any suggestion on a cast iron pot and ladle?

Also, at work I was able to get some old used plumbers lead from back in the day when they used it to seal pipes. Because of all the crud in it can it be melted off and used or should I buy cleaner lead. Thanks

[Fatman]

You can use the old plumbers lead you'll just have to be real careful when melting it down - clean as much crud off it as you can - use old rags and an old paint scraper. When you start to melt put a lid or piece of flat wood over the top of the pot, and melt OUTSIDE with no one else around!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Long pants, long sleeve shirt, heavy gloves, safety glass's or better a full face shield like ones they use when using chain saws. This stuff is your protection!!!! Keep water away from you it doesn't mix with lead, not a pretty picture.

Cast Iron pots - don't know alot about them I use bottom pours, but a few I've read about, and heard about from guys on a bullet casting site I go to and here on Crappie.

Lyman - Lyman Products Your Primary Source for Reloading Equipment
Barlows - http://www.barlowstackle.com/Lead-Me...ories-C62.aspx
Ladle you can get from who ever you get the pot from.

Thermometer - Either/OR - with the material you have it's most likely pure, when you get into tire weights different. Some like to have them some don't, without one you don't know if your leads hot enough.

Heat source - Side Burner on a grill or propane setup with a stand (read through the threads or do a search)

Ingot mold - Some use an old cast iron corn stick bread pan, or some use the one by
lee Lee Ingot Mold, 4 Cavity lead Ingot Mold
lyman Lyman Products Your Primary Source for Reloading Equipment

This will get you kind of started, the guys who use cast iron can give you some more leads.

fatman

[WiCrappie]

Great advice from Fatman so far. About the only thing I might suggest is to use a different ingot mold for each alloy of lead that you may wind up using. Like a mini muffin pan for recovered wheel weights and an actual ingot mold for softer lead etc.. that way there is no confusion.

I'll second the safety gear for sure. You can never be too careful. I tell this to everyone who starts pouring and they never believe me until it happens. "You'll do something stupid once and get burned. After that you'll make sure you don't mess up." Also head over to youtube and check out the videos by a fellow with a screen name of "San Francisco liberal with a gun". He's got a great 4 part series on smelting wheel weights.
The majority of info presented there will transfer directly to your reclamation of plumbers lead.

The only other way to have one mold for all three size's is to contact Robert at Crazy Angler and have him make you a custom but you'd be looking at roughly $125 or more, but you'd have what you want.

Fatman

...Last I heard Robert has stopped making molds.

[Fatman]

Wic

I hadn't heard that, he was really making some great molds

[gridiron]

How well do these work?

Palmer Lead Melting Hot Pot 2

[Fatman]

Grid

They work fine, I put alot of stuff through mine including wheelweights to clean them out. Only difference in the one I had the heating coils were inside the cup itself not underneath. With the material we talked about above earlier you'd stll want something to put over the top until it was safe to pour clean ingots.

The only thing I ever did to mine was file a very fine groove int the pouring tips to get a really good fine pouring stream. You can turn out alot of jigs with one, once you get the hang of it.

Fatman

[gridiron]

Thanks Fatman for your help.

[gridiron]

Ordered my mold a couple days ago. Had some dirty lead that I melted today and made a few ingots. Now time to buy the rest to make!