Jigs

[CrabbyBass]

A buddy of mine went to a fishing club meeting a couple of weeks back.  They had a sales rep from Do-it molds there demonstrating and talking about pouring jig heads.  My buddy picked up a catalog and brought it to me.  I was flipping through the catalog and a jig head caught my eye right away.  I really wanted it and couldn't stop thinking about it.  I try not to buy things on impulse so I mulled it over for a couple of days.  I finally decided to bite the bullet and invest in some lead pouring equipment.  I wish I would have waited because I ordered the stuff the same day Jason released the new molds.  Oh well, next time around.  Here is a pic of the jig heads I was pouring.



Last winter I had invested in a bunch of different colored buck tails and tying equipment.  It has been quite a few months since I have tied since I got into plastics.  I decided to sit down and tie a hair jig to see how it would look on the new jig heads. 



I tried powder coating the jig heads, but it took away the nice detail of the heads.  I think I now have to invest in an airbrush and buy the correct size eyes and I think these things will be killer.  Thanks for looking!

Chuck   

[RonDon]

Nice pours!  I love the ultra minnow molds.  If you are dipping in powder paint and want to keep the detail...  Dont get the head too hot before you dip. This will put less paint on the head.  After you dip run the head back under your heat source to melt and smooth the powder.

[CrabbyBass]

Nice pours!  I love the ultra minnow molds.  If you are dipping in powder paint and want to keep the detail...  Dont get the head too hot before you dip. This will put less paint on the head.  After you dip run the head back under your heat source to melt and smooth the powder.

Thanks RonDon!  After seeing your post about jig heads, I was hoping you would chime in with some advice.  I will try not heating the head for as long.  The first head I painted, I put it back in the flame to smooth it out and I scorched the paint.     I was also wondering if it would be worth investing in a fluid bed.  Thanks again!

[Justin9j]

I have fluid bed plans if you would like them.

[gone2long]

X2 on the fluid bed you'll be happy with the results dipping right in the container puts too much powder on in my opinion.

[Botanophilia]

Those are great!  I'm sure I'll get into lead at some point, but I have too many expensive hobbies already. 

Justin, will you send me fluidized bed plans? 

[ctom]

Jigs with detail, like those you are making, will paint better, leaving the detail clear, with the powder paint in a fluid bed.

Those are killer waleeye heads by the way.

[TheDreamer]

Here is a new fluid bed I designed, wanted something that wasn't round and had more than enough room to do long shank spinnerbaits. Still in the test stages basically, ran it for a total of 20 minutes with 5oz of baby powder for a test run and it ran flawlessly. The amount of motion in this bed is amazing, and cleanup is a breeze. Without the air pump the total cost to build this was $19.26 After tax, that includes all parts and tubing.




Drew

[Justin9j]

I like dreamers fluid bed. Little better then the one I got.   But if you would like a copy pm you email. 

[pjmcla]

You can also get a somewhat larger container and pour ( carefully ) your powder paint in it and stir  ( carefully ) to fluff the paint.  The problem with thick paint can be compressed paint, too hot a head, or leaving the head in the paint for too long. A fluid bed is a paint fluffer.  If there is more than a wisp of smoke that comes from the head when first removed from the paint your head is too hot.  A fast swish or dip should be all that is needed.  If the paint is too thin you can re-dip.  Do not hold the head in the flame; hold it above the flame, especially if it has any paint on it.  With practice you will find the correct height and hold time for each head weight and style.  Then you can start playing like Rondon. 

[CrabbyBass]

Thank you for all of the tips and advice.  It is greatly appreciated!

[Justin9j]

Did you get the plans ?