Dear All, the European Community (I’m Italian) is going to edit a Regulation to forbid the use of lead in fishing tackles, “within several options thinked by Agency (Echa) to prevent negative effects about human health and environment, for the fishing there is the will to forbid the sell and use of sinkers and artificial baits with lead”.
While the Commercial Field is already orienteering itself to Tungsten (W), We, poor Self Makers, hardly can reach the 3422 °C (6191,6 °F) to cast it.
Then, what to do? It’s necessary to find a “green” alternative. For Bullet Sinkers, I’ve already used a brass bar, cutting, drilling and turning the little cylinders … a real PITA.
There is the Tin (Sn), but its specific weight is 7,28 kg/dm3, while the Lead (Pb) one is 11,34 kg/dm3, i.e. 35% less.
I started studying (using the American Sites … of course) and … an alternative to Lead does exist and it’s calle Bismuth (Bi).
It has got a specific weight of di 9,80 kg/dm3, i.e. the 13% less compared to Pb … we can be satisfied, our Jigs with the same volume obtained with the same mold, will weigh a little bit less, that is around the 13% less, for instance the classic ¼ oz., equal to 7 g, will be “only” 6,09 g.
Furthermore the Bismuth melts a lot of earlier than Lead: 271,3 °C Vs. 327 °C … and our waiting moments are shorted.
The Bi is absolutely the most diamagnetic metal … but I think that no one of us is interested in leavening of a Jig between two magnets.
Bi is brittle and some of You, already obliged by Laws of some American States, mix it with Tin, trying to obtain a stronger Jig. I’ve already performed a test wit a 3/8 oz Round Jig, obtained with pure Bi, dropping it from a height of 2 m over marble: nothing happens, it didn’t bumped itself, nor scratched, nor cracked. Vice versa the thin casting shaves, created when I use wrong hooks, are easily detachable, as the casting spur.
The Bi, unique within Heavy Metals, isn’t toxic … however the mask, when you cast it, must be always worn.
Please, let see nest post.
