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I am new to making my own jig heads to tie but im having trouble with my hooks being loose in the lead. Im using two different kinds of molds one with barb to hold the plastic tube on the bait and another with just the ball. the one with the barb works great no trouble but the one with the ball head is the one im having trouble with. Does anyone have any suggestions or have any idea what im doing wrong?
I had same problem a few weeks ago , started using smooth pliers to hold head while breaking off sprue and solved all my problems.
Take jig from mold by the spru trying not to pry against the hook. I have learned to let mold cool a few seconds before trying to remove. Mold will suck a little heat out of head letting it contract slightly. Then like jig fishin use smooth pliers to hold while removing spru. Also if you powder paint them about 95% of the time they will tighten right up. One guy on here posted about using bead pliers from craft store to hold the head. Been in search of but haven't found them yet
I often wondered if you marred the hook a little bit if that wouldn't help? I don't pour any without bait keepers so I cannot really comment... but I know who can! Bobo makes thousands of them. I'll bet he has some good pointers?
Use 70% lead and 30% zinc which will make the lead harder and will hold to hook better, also use cutters.
Are they loose before you cut/break the sprue? If not, let them cool good and then use sprue cutters to cut the sprue off flush.
Have been adding a little bit of tin with our lead makes shinny and holds hook to lead better.Can get the tin for a coke can or lure parts online.
Thank for the advice they all tightened up when I powder coated them, but I am going to try adding other metals and see how that works.