Powder painting little jigs

[2XL]

How are those of you who powder paint little jigs (under 1/116 oz sized) with powder paint heating your jigs ? I have powder painted thousands of jigs 1/8 to 1oz using a propane torch but as some of you know, it only takes a blink of the eye for a small jig head to turn into a bare hook using that method. I am thinking of preheating my small jigs in the toaster oven vs the torch route. I know there are a few variables when it comes to jig size/style and the temperature needed to get a decent powder paint job but the temp range shouldn't be too broad with heads from 1/64th to 1/24th I wouldn't think.  Thanks for your input.

[ctom]

I paint all of my heads using the torch. I start the torch and adjust it down to where I can hardly see the flame...or hear it. I do jigs down to 1/80 with no problem. You don't need those small heads in the flame but for a instant.

Here is a box of 1/80 heads all painted with powder. I set a plain everyday aspirin on the end of the box for a size comparison. I've painted maybe 1000 of these in the last 6 months and have had one [1] head drop off from too much heat. The pink, orange and chartreuse colors are standard colors that get a candy coat top color. All powder.

[Bucko]

I use a heat gun on all jigs.  For 1/64 and smaller I put it on the low setting.  Never had one melt off.  Harbor freight guns are real cheap and work well.

[2XL]

Thanks guys.

I have painted a couple dozen 1/80 heads for a friend some years ago but it was a PIA and I've not painted any more since. Now that I'm getting into making my own plastics,  I want to start making/painting small jig heads again. Tom, I see where I screwed up with the torch - too much flame. I should have known. I just got used to setting the flame the same for all the jigs I paint 1/8 to an ounce and away I went.

I have a brand new heat gun I bought this fall for powder painting blade baits. I may have to give that a whirl once and see what kind of mess I can make.

[ctom]

I like the torch because I can get the flame down to a fine point and not have heat all over around my fingers. I seldom heat up my fingers with the torch while I have gotten some nasty burns from heat guns. I grew up respecting what the torch can do and have stuck with it. I have no time for the heat guns but that's just me.

[Dfiene1]

For the really small stuff, I find a candle to be more forgiving.

[Kasilofchrisn]

I use my adjustable temp Dewalt heat gun.
Dial the temp down to say 400* and it works great.
Unless you put the jig inside the end of the gun it won't melt the lead.
I've heard candles can leave a little soot on the jigs and the powder won't stick as well. Never tried it but it makes sense as people use them to smoke molds.
Buy an adjustable heat gun  not a dual setting but an adjustable dial one. You won't regret it.

[Denny Welch]

Ditto re the heat gun.  Personally, I'd stay away from the torch for safety reasons...too easy to knock it over.

[2XL]

 I'm used to using a torch and feel pretty safe going that route. That being said, it seems a heat gun would eliminate some of the guess work. I'll probably stick with the torch but I will  try the heat gun just to see how that goes.

Thanks for the input everyone.

[ctom]

I use the green "camping" propane bottles. They are very stable and don't fall over easy so I don't worry much about knocking one over.

[WALLEYE WACKER]

I use a heat gun and fluid bed. It don't take much heat when you get to 1/80.

[walleyetracker85]

I use my adjustable temp Dewalt heat gun.
Dial the temp down to say 400* and it works great.
Unless you put the jig inside the end of the gun it won't melt the lead.
I've heard candles can leave a little soot on the jigs and the powder won't stick as well. Never tried it but it makes sense as people use them to smoke molds.
Buy an adjustable heat gun  not a dual setting but an adjustable dial one. You won't regret it.

Where did you find this dual setting heat gun? that's what I'd like to have. Right now I just have a Dewalt that has high, medium, and low heat setting. I asked them at Menard and they said they don't make such a thing.

[Kasilofchrisn]

Where did you find this dual setting heat gun? that's what I'd like to have. Right now I just have a Dewalt that has high, medium, and low heat setting. I asked them at Menard and they said they don't make such a thing.

I just went to my local hardware and lumber yard. The place is called Spenard builders supply.
My local AIH (Alaska industrial hardware) also had the same one but for ten dollars more.
These stores are exclusive to Alaska.
Tell your local guy he needs educating on power tools.
They had an adjustable setting Porter Wagoner at my local home depot but I preffered the Dewalt.
I was using an adjustable ryobi and really liked it.
But I broke it and it was my fault.
There are a lot of adjustable temp heat guns out there.
If you look you'll find one.

[walleyetracker85]

Thanks. I will do some searching for then online. I live in a small town and the lumber yards here will be more expensive.

[Bucko]

Where did you find this dual setting heat gun? that's what I'd like to have. Right now I just have a Dewalt that has high, medium, and low heat setting. I asked them at Menard and they said they don't make such a thing.

I buy them at harbor freight.  Bought a few backups thinking I may need them since they were kinda cheap...  nope.  Still using the same one over 3 years now.