Custom Baits - Forum
Soft Plastic Bait Making => Getting Started / Customer Support => Topic started by: Steve J on 04/09/16 16:09 UTC
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Ordered some soft lead from Do-it. For pouring jig heads.
I have a friend who casts bullet heads using lead.
Is the treatment of jig head lead the same as for bullet head lead?
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The melting and fluxing and handling are basically the same. I'd keep your Do-It lead separate from his, the Do-It product is very pure lead-what you want for jig casting.
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Thank you ctom. Could you recommend a type or brand of flux?
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If your using good lead then you don't need any flux. Good soft lead you can scratch with your fingernail.
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Beeswax or candle wax or canning wax works good. Don't need much a penny size. Do it outside as it will smoke up pretty good. Stir the lead and the containment will rise to top. Depending on how dirty lead is may have to do it several times . I then pour lead sinkers 8 oz to keep for future uses. I buy a lot from plumbers and got a lot from friends. Easy to clean up but time consuming but hey it's free lead or cheap.
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Wonderful learning experience for me.
Like cleaning a dirty child.
Dip them in a bath, with soap, dirt rises to the surface, out comes a 'clean kid'.
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Lol. Also, if the lead is hot enough, the flux will catch fire. As a rule, I start my flux aflame anyway, as it helps the cleaning process. Wear gloves, long shirt, pants, boots, eye protection. Stir with a long handled stainless steel spoon. Use it to drag/dip off your dross. You can't be too careful while fluxing and cleaning lead. Always outside, no chance of rain(molten lead and water don't mix), and stand upwind. Don't breath the airborne flux compound/mix. Use precautions and understand the process and you'll be fine.
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I buy Small Emergency Candles for Fluxing...non-scented, non-colored. Remove the Aluminum Cup and the Wick. I drop the entire little candle onto the top of the hot lead melt (of course, only when the lead is up to temp and very liquid). Let it flame...if it's not flaming, it's not fluxing. Stir while it's flaming (FABULOUUUS!). Scrape sides and bottom. Scoop dross (waste) off the top of the melt after the flames extinguish themselves.