Custom Baits - Forum
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: ctom on 04/06/13 18:13 UTC
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I have the professional series of Do-It molds in the 1/32 and 1/16 ounce. These are dandy molds and casting is a pure delight.
Earlier today I did a run of 600+ jigs in the teardrop mold that uses the keeper wire for the first time and it was super. I just finished a run of 1/32 ounce head, all collar-less ball heads, 250 in a size 6 sickle, and then another 250 in a size 8 sickle hook. Now I have my evening" work set out ahead of me...snapping sprues.
I found a bead pliers at a Hobby Lobby that's used to hold round beads. The notch in the jaws fit the 1/32 heads perfectly. The molds cast the heads with very little holding the sprue. I simply hold the jig head with light pressure and twist the sprue with the fingers and its off in a blink with never any clean-up needed. The molds are designed to be used with a bottom drop pot to deliver the lead, but as long as I use pure lead and make sure the mold is pre-heated well, I hand dump the lead with a ladle and have no issues whatever.
These molds are yet another excellent example of what the combining of Caney Creek and Do-It offers people. Other than the old oak mold I made about 50 years ago to get started in jig casting and a couple original Herters jig molds, all I own is the Do-It family of molds. I've tried others and they've long since taken a hike.
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Here's a pic of the nifty little plier that I use to hold the small jig heads awhile twisting off the sprues.
(http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/ss184/crappietomtackle/7629a4f6-ccb1-4363-85a1-8472223dc080_zps2e7069b7.jpg)
You can see that the head of the 1/32 jig fits perfectly inside the jaws. While the jaw notch is a bit small for 1/16 ounce heads, I still use this tool to grasp the head while removing sprues. I just don't torque down on the head very hard, but then there is little need to.
In addition to the notches jaw, there is another cut-out immediately behind the round one that is a crimper and that one gets a workout too when I do my stingers.
If you work with smaller jigs heads, this little plier is handy as heck.
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Hobby Lobby, huh?
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Dern, that place has lots o lure making items. Every time my wife goes, I don't complain. Always find something I don't need that might help me build a better lure. Joey
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Hobby Lobby, huh?
It was either HL or Michaels. Any place that sells beading supplies should have one or an equivilant. Fabric stores with a crafting section is another place to look.