Jig head

[mbhutton]

Do you guys pour your own or just buy pre poured. I need to get a mold and have been looking but adding it up I'm wondering it buying pre poured would be the way to go?? I'm binning that 1/32 would be pretty finicky to pour.

Any ideas on a mold would be great to.

Thanks

[PBUG2009]

1/32 is a easy pour. Pour a couple 1000 every mth...The 4 molds you would really need if your pouring for your own use would be a 1/64- 1/32- 1/16- and a 1/8. I would buy a ballhead and a barb collar of these. 1/64 Ive only seen in a ballhead.

[mbhutton]

Is there any certain mold brand that you recommend, I looked at your site. Yopu do some awesome work. I will be placing and order soon.

[PBUG2009]

I use do-it molds... Some molds I have are custom molds made by flatfish46. Thats robert at Crazy Angler Your here look no more for Slab Bandits the best

[slabslinger]

Do it MOLDS!! keep em oiled they will last forever

[PBUG2009]

They sure will.....I oil before i use them and after Im done with them..

[RonDon]

If you think you would enjoy making your own then do it. If you are doing it to save money... chances are you WONT! You will just keep buying and buying and buying.... Doh

[Redman]

Rondon aint that the truth. I have like 8 Do-Its and 6 custom made 4 assorted molds. Don't tell my wife but I want a new Do-It found one I feel that I can't live without. Yes and then there are the hooks and swivels and Split rings and blades. Don't forget the lead and melting pot. Got to get the flux and hood and vent pipe. Lets see Have I left any thing out?????

Redman

[Bronson]

To do it right, and especially if you're going to pour 1/32 oz. or smaller, it will be easier with a lead pot that pours underneath. A good pot will cost $200-$300 or more. Making jigs leads to making jigs with different hooks and weights.

Other things to consider would be, do you have a safe place to pour, understand the do's and don't of pouring lead. Good hobby but can be very dangerous if not handled properly.

If you're not going to need more than 500-600 jigs, you might be better off buying them. There are numerous guys on here who do great work.

I started making my own because I got tired of depending on somebody else to get them to me when I needed. The guy I had making them for me wouldn't honor the deal we had made. When I first started making jigs I tried to do what most do and buy the cheapest thing I thought I could get by with. I found that to be a waste of money. When I bought a good pot and tools and a variety of Do It Molds, I really got into it. Now I have a box full of powder paints, boxes of hooks of different sizes and name brands.

If you do decide to try it, you'll love catching a fish off a bait that you made yourself. If you are just going to dabble in it, either get with someone who is already doing it and see if you can help them or just buy your jigs. I haven't save a dime and it has actually costed me thousands for all the stuff I've accumulated. Making the jigs has become like a second hobby. I have not regrets. Just a few things to think about.

[crappiedoc]

I guess I'm the fortunate one here, I've picked up most of my equipment for little or nothing. Kinda along the lines that Bronson spoke of, I helped some guys when I was younger and they just dumped their equipment off on me when they gave it up. Sure I've bought some production jig molds but that's about it, I've cut some spoon molds cause you just can't buy what you want. Lead all of my lead has been free, I buy my paint by the pound and hooks, there's the kicker. Finding hooks cheaper than the next guy (if your selling) can be the difference, as well as your painting method. I started because it became impossible to find quality hooks in my jigheads around my hometown. Then it was so theraputic, molten lead is mesmerizing, I would try to see how fast I could pour a 1000 box of hooks. I was just about to make an upgrade and really go all out and buy a spincaster (centrifuge casting) when the EPA crap last summer hit. It flat killed my ambition, now I pour specialty heads, lead spoons for money. There isn't much profit for roundheads anymore between the casters and the Chinese they've driven the price down. When I started a 100 1/8 jigheads were $10 unpainted, now it's about $7 with bronze hooks. Then there's painting them, that's were you can spend some $$$, powder isn't the most profitable and the investment for liquid can be expensive, or not depending on what your times worth. Basically, if you can get your stuff free and some "gas" money by selling your friends, then you've done pretty good IMHO which I have plenty of. BUT, there is a sense of satisfaction and it's priceless!!!!