FLUXING LEAD

[Brent]

I know I read in another topic about fluxing lead, I wanted to get your experience and techniques in doing this. Is lighting the smoke on fire necessary. Please explain.
I have watched the you tube videos online. 

[invertedn04]

I put a small piece of a tea candle in while the lead is melting and let it burn out on its own.

[Denny Welch]

I do the same thing.  I use way about the size of a pea.

[hawgthumper]

A marble sized piece of bee's wax works well. 

[Denny Welch]

Really?  I always thought something that size would start the garage on fire.

[Brent]

ok I'm a beginner in this, right now I have a hot pot 2 that I will be pouring with. I have done sinkers for cat fishing but never jigs. I am looking for guidance to make this go as smoothly as possible. My lead is from tire weights that has been melted down and the impurities skimmed off.
I will be making small crappie Jigs 1/32 and 1/16oz

Should I flux this lead? how much wax should I use with this amount of lead?
Do I light the smoke on fire? or just let it smolder?

Thank you for any guidance

[Jerry V]

Brent,

If you're able to pour it with success don't worry about it.  You've mentioned wheel weights...  I would recommend fluxing this lead, especially if you notice much more slag coming to the top or have trouble pouring it consistently.  Considering that you're dealing with a Hot Pot 2, I would work with a slightly smaller amount of wax or fluxing compound at a time...  maybe the size of a pencil eraser.  Introduce that to the pot and stir it in a bit.  Skim slag again and repeat if necessary. 

You shouldn't have to light anything.  Just know that it may flame on it's own and will likely smoke a good deal... keep stirring it in and let it run it's course.  Like I mentioned, you can repeat as many times as you feel necessary but keep your wax/flux doses low so as to keep the smoking/flaming issues to a minimum.  Always work in a well ventilated area.

Shoot me a PM or give me a call at the office if you have any other quesions about it.

Thanks,

Jerry

[andrewlamberson]

Lots of good info on this subject at:
http://www.tackleunderground.com/community/index.php?/forum/21-wire-baits/

It's pinned at the top of the discussions

[sim]

ok - is there a secret handshake for tackleunderground? All I get is a busted page with no content.

[Jerry V]

ok - is there a secret handshake for tackleunderground? All I get is a busted page with no content.

Don't bother... 

[sim]

yeah - I used to frequent the site - its broken in FF for sure - I hit it wiht IE and immediately my AV protection fired up - so, I would certainly not suggest going to it for that reason alone.

WHich is a shame - it used to be a fairly open/honest site.

[andrewlamberson]

Ummm...works for me...but... I do call it "The Mean Site"

[Denny Welch]

I think TU still has a lot of good information on it, but there's still to many "in your face" posts.  I was on it today for about five minutes and got a headache reading the argumentative posts.  For me, it's difficult to skip over the argumentative stuff.  Instead, I just log out.

[WALLEYE WACKER]

Brent I have only used lead for pluming. And some get sheet lead used for hospitals both I per heat and  clean in a hand pour pot before it goes in the production pot and have never had to do anything with the molds. mike

[BareKnuckleJigs]

When fluxing lead, it HAS TO FLAME.  If it only smokes with no flame, You're not fluxing.  And DO NOT breathe the smoke or vapors.