Can one recast with used hooks?

[no1son]

I had quite a bunch of unpainted jigs of the wrong type on size 6 hooks; so I melted the lead off them and thought I had them pretty clean. I had no end of trouble casting 1/32 collared, tanged jigheads with them. These were for my own use, of course. Do new hooks just plain work better on the little jig heads? I sorta hate to throw away all those hooks, most of which have never seen the water. All bronze hooks.

[willsjwills]

Used hook or new should work the same way. Might be your lead. Too cool. Too much zinc or other metals in your lead. If you're using scrap wheel weights, this could be part of the problem. Mold could be too cold.

[hunter7711]

Got to have pure lead to do the small heads. Get everything good and hot.

[no1son]

Thanks. To the best of my knowledge no wheel weights in this, only old sinkers and jig heads. I will pay more attention to the heat.

[Baxter1]

I had a bunch of heads I melted the lead off and had no trouble.Just make sure the lead is cleaned off so they will sit in the mold coorectly.

[skeetbum]

I cut the old lead off my mistakes and re-use them with no trouble. I tried melting the lead off but it sometimes takes the finish off the hook. Doesn't make a hill of beans of difference, just my preference. I keep my pot turned up to around 9 and make sure the molds hot before I start. A few pours without hooks makes sure that it's up to temp.