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Do any of you guys use lead alloys? Lead zinc or lead tin I believe it is. Curious about it all.
I’ve only ever used just straight lead. From what I’ve read online pure(ish) soft lead is the way to go, especially for smaller jigs and weights. It pours better supposedly.
Nate.
I have used several types, but I don't weigh the jigs either.
I use a mix of 2 parts tire weights to 1 part pure lead and have no problems pouring down to 1/32nd oz. With all the horror stories I've heard of supposed pure lead on ebay IF I had to get some I'd probably pay a little more at Roto Metals as the price is pretty close.
What horror stories???Quote:
Originally Posted by Fatman
I don't use alloys, strictly soft lead. Wish I had some harder lead to mix with the soft sometimes. I poured some spinner baits a couple days ago and while breaking off the sprues the spinner baits lead was so soft it bent slightly but I was able to straighten it easily by hand.
Pure lead for tiny jigs, split shot and pinch-on sinkers. Wheel weights for medium and large sinkers. Zinc is saved for a friend that cast cannon balls. A local scrapyard has been my source for years. Lot cheaper than ebay and Roto Metals. I have some clean roof lead now and could have got lead pipe the other day. The horror stories I've heard is the ad says pure lead, what you get is wheel weight lead.
Soft. I've played with harder lead and at times, it won't fill out the molds correctly. FatGuys Fishing molds...not do-it.
Interesting.
I use the same alloy 8/9bhn to cast jigs with (smallest 1/32oz) that I use to cast bullets with. Wheel weights are 10bhn.
I do use pure lead to cast split shot with. Easier to open and close.
For consistency and cleanliness, I use pure as much as possible. Reclaimed sometimes carries trash that is a bother keeping it off the walls of the hot pot. As said, harder lead doesn’t always fill out the mold. I’ve turned up the heat some to deal with it and that helps to a point. Pure lead in my smallest heads makes me cut the sprue instead of flex and breaking it. It sometimes becomes loose on the hook if you’re not careful.