Custom Baits - Forum
Jigs, Spinnerbaits and Sinkers => Bass Jigs => Topic started by: Wallyc14 on 12/29/14 22:15 UTC
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Bought the mold a while back and finally got around to pouring it and I can't get the barb collars to fill sometimes ,usually on the smallest ones. I preheat the mold and pour soft lead and it's still hit and miss any ideas?
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If you have a bottom pour lead pot ( LEE Production Pot is what I use) try holding your mold closer to the spout. By closer I mean almost touching. I don't know why but that seems work most of the time when I have a problem like you are having. Other things to consider is lead flow out of your spout and lead temp. Make sure you have a good stream coming out of your spout. I run the temp between 6 and 7 on my lead pot.
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Try smoking your mold if you haven't done so. Hold a candle to the cavities until it turns black. It seemed to help the lead flow better in my football head jigs, especially around the collar and further down the hook.
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When you say your using soft lead where are you getting your lead ? It sounds like that's your problem. If your lead is pouring out in a steady flow and your mold will heat up after a few shoots then the only thing it can be is your lead is to hard. Small details need a very soft lead to fill.
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I've solved this problem in several molds.
#1 is a light spray of drop out.
That stuff is a miracle cure for these types of mold issues.
It's like smoking a mold only way better and easier.
#2 is preheat your hooks.
Hot lead hits a cold hook and immediately begins to cool and solidify.
Warming the hooks helps it flow around the hook into that small barb cavity.
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I typically mold with my Lee pot set at 4, but when I do my tiny ice jigs the temp dial goes up to 7 or 8; plus, I preheat my mold with several extraneous pours to get it substantially warmed up... (too hot to hold with a bare hand).
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When you say your using soft lead where are you getting your lead ? It sounds like that's your problem. If your lead is pouring out in a steady flow and your mold will heat up after a few shoots then the only thing it can be is your lead is to hard. Small details need a very soft lead to fill.
lead ingots for pouring cast iron joints in plumbing pipe( from my supply house) as far as I know it's pure lead is scratches easy enough. I don't have a bottom pour furnace , just a cast iron pot and a laddle . My molds are warm but not burn your hand hot might have to try warming up hooks
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lead ingots for pouring cast iron joints in plumbing pipe( from my supply house) as far as I know it's pure lead is scratches easy enough. I don't have a bottom pour furnace , just a cast iron pot and a laddle . My molds are warm but not burn your hand hot might have to try warming up hooks
That's good lead. Then I would try a Lee's Pot. Using the ladle may be allowing it to cool a bit before entering the mold. I use a Lee's Pot and have poured for years and never a problem using plumbing lead. I just shoot it empty one time then begin making jigs. The Lee's Pot is cheap and safer to use. And it will last you for years.
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No need to buy a new pot.
Like I said a light spray of drop out and prewarming your hooks will work.
Drop out is not that expensive and has fixed many molds for me.
Drop out is made for lead molds as a release agent and it works great.
One can goes a long ways as only a light coat is necessary for it to work.
http://www.barlowstackle.com/Casting-Release-Spray--P361C62.aspx