Author Topic: Get me started!  (Read 6427 times)

Offline bhubbard387

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Get me started!
« on: 05/31/15 21:13 UTC »
I just recently got into making soft plastics and I now want to pick up jig making as well.  I have been doing a bit of searching but want to get some advice from the experts.  I am really unsure which melter I should get.  I want to pour jigs from 1/8 OZ all the way up to 1 1/2 OZ and worm weights as well.  Also, what else do I need in my shopping cart?  From my list I have skirt material, bands and the skirting tool, powder paint, molds, weed guards, and hooks.  Am I missing anything?  What is the best way to add glitter?  Do I need any additives or compounds?  Bonus question:  What are everyones favorite colors?  You guys and gals have been great so far, I am looking forward to begin working on jigs!

Offline efishnc

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Re: Get me started!
« Reply #1 on: 06/01/15 00:00 UTC »
You’re going to get a lot of advice here and it will all be based on opinion, which is not in itself bad, but bear in mind this is based on individual preference.  Perhaps you may want to ask specific questions on things you are already leaning towards, catering to your preferences?

IMO the Poison Tail is a true winner, and PBJ will always get a bite.

Offline Bucko

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Re: Get me started!
« Reply #2 on: 06/01/15 05:08 UTC »
As melting pots go you'll get varied responses.   I personally have a couple Lee pro 4-20.  They are a good pot that will serve you well but has a few quirks.   Since I pour a ton of lead i really wish I would have gone with an RCBS pot and been done with it.  I will buy one eventually. They will pour bigger casts better than a Lee.   The price difference is pretty drastic.   You can snag a Lee 4-20 for right around $70, while an RCBS will run you in the $400 range. There are other differences too but the big one for me it's ability to cast larger jigs easier.

Offline smalljaw

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Re: Get me started!
« Reply #3 on: 06/01/15 05:49 UTC »
If you are going to cast 1.5oz jigs get a LEE 20lb bottom pour but as already mentioned, the RCBS is really the cream of the crop but also the most expensive. Since you are going to powder paint, I suggest getting some Teflon base hole pins and a fluid bed, this will make powder coating your jigs much easier and the results will be flawless. To keep your color selection simple but effective when first getting supplies I would get black, brown, green pumpkin, white and chartreuse and if you are planning on swim jigs then drop the white and chartreuse, very simple. Now the best way to add glitter is to get extra fine glitter and add it to clear powder, Protec makes glitter coat you can buy but I make my own because I like to control the amount of glitter in the mix. 1 tbsp. per 2oz of clear is a good start, find a scrap piece of metal and mix up the 2oz of clear with the glitter and then paint your scrap piece the color you want and then dip into the glitter coat you have, if there is too much glitter, add clear, not enough, add more glitter, that really is the best way but write down the amounts so you can duplicate it. Don't use the fluid bed to apply glitter coats, the fluid bed suspends the powder and makes it look like liquid which is why it is called a fluid bed but the glitter doesn't suspend like the powder so if you put the glitter coat in the fluid bed you'll end up with a big spot of glitter on 1 little area of the jig and nowhere else. Good luck on the new venture and feel free to ask any questions, there will always be help here.

Offline Lamar

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Re: Get me started!
« Reply #4 on: 06/01/15 06:08 UTC »
  Smalljaw is the king on jig making here. But in my opinion with powder paint do not buy white. Buy pearl. Pearl is much easier to use and looks like white.

Offline bassinfool

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Re: Get me started!
« Reply #5 on: 06/01/15 09:33 UTC »
I'm a big time flipper and swim jig guy so my first two molds were the brush jig and the bullet head jig. Both are great and both have caught me a bunch of fish already. I also love to throw a chatterbait and went with the arky head mold for that since it skips incredibly well. I have a Lee 4-20 pot as well and it works well, even if it is a bit quirky at times. I too, recommend getting a fluid bed but would suggest building your own. This is what I did and it cost me a quarter of what you'll pay for one online and it was very easy to do. If you think you'd like to go that route send me a message and I would be more than happy to help. As for paint, black, brown and green pumpkin are pretty much all you need. Throw in watermelon if you'd like and for swim jigs I pretty much stick to white or pearl.

Offline smalljaw

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Re: Get me started!
« Reply #6 on: 06/02/15 06:01 UTC »
I'm a big time flipper and swim jig guy so my first two molds were the brush jig and the bullet head jig. Both are great and both have caught me a bunch of fish already. I also love to throw a chatterbait and went with the arky head mold for that since it skips incredibly well. I have a Lee 4-20 pot as well and it works well, even if it is a bit quirky at times. I too, recommend getting a fluid bed but would suggest building your own. This is what I did and it cost me a quarter of what you'll pay for one online and it was very easy to do. If you think you'd like to go that route send me a message and I would be more than happy to help. As for paint, black, brown and green pumpkin are pretty much all you need. Throw in watermelon if you'd like and for swim jigs I pretty much stick to white or pearl.

Yep, you are correct, building one is the way to go if you can do that. If you go to TJ's Tackle, he use to have his fluid beds for $50, it would cost me $35 for the material and then 2 hours of my time versus getting it and starting to paint right away but if you like doing that and maybe using a different design then have at it and build one. One of the factors for me when I got my fluid bed was I had a business plus I was working 12-16 hours a day, so saving $15 dollars versus saving 2 hours was a no brainer, the time trumped the money. I have to give it to everyone here, they all step up so you will get help, and Bassinfool is right and I should have mentioned the option of building your own, so now you have that to do as well, good luck with getting in to this, and while it seems like a hassle now, in no time you'll be pouring and then it won't seem overwhelming anymore but starting out is tough.

Offline bassinfool

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Re: Get me started!
« Reply #7 on: 06/02/15 09:42 UTC »
I bought a length of 2" pvc pipe and a pvc Union and just cut the pvc pipe to length using a miter saw. Drilled a hole for my air fitting and put it all together and I was done. The most expensive component will be your compressor but you can find one cheap on eBay or maybe even craigslist if someone is getting rid of a fish tank. My pump is for a 50-75 gallon fish tank and utilizes and inline regulator. It works great and I use 2 pieces of printer paper cut to size inside the pvc Union as my filter. I'm at the lake house doing some work at the moment but I will post pictures and maybe even make a video later when I get home to better explain it.

Offline bhubbard387

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Re: Get me started!
« Reply #8 on: 06/03/15 00:32 UTC »
If you are going to cast 1.5oz jigs get a LEE 20lb bottom pour but as already mentioned, the RCBS is really the cream of the crop but also the most expensive. Since you are going to powder paint, I suggest getting some Teflon base hole pins and a fluid bed, this will make powder coating your jigs much easier and the results will be flawless. To keep your color selection simple but effective when first getting supplies I would get black, brown, green pumpkin, white and chartreuse and if you are planning on swim jigs then drop the white and chartreuse, very simple. Now the best way to add glitter is to get extra fine glitter and add it to clear powder, Protec makes glitter coat you can buy but I make my own because I like to control the amount of glitter in the mix. 1 tbsp. per 2oz of clear is a good start, find a scrap piece of metal and mix up the 2oz of clear with the glitter and then paint your scrap piece the color you want and then dip into the glitter coat you have, if there is too much glitter, add clear, not enough, add more glitter, that really is the best way but write down the amounts so you can duplicate it. Don't use the fluid bed to apply glitter coats, the fluid bed suspends the powder and makes it look like liquid which is why it is called a fluid bed but the glitter doesn't suspend like the powder so if you put the glitter coat in the fluid bed you'll end up with a big spot of glitter on 1 little area of the jig and nowhere else. Good luck on the new venture and feel free to ask any questions, there will always be help here.


Do you use the smallest glitter size for soft plastics or the glitter under the "paints & coatings" tab on Do-It?  I have most of my cart all set up for my order

Offline smalljaw

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Re: Get me started!
« Reply #9 on: 06/03/15 16:27 UTC »

Do you use the smallest glitter size for soft plastics or the glitter under the "paints & coatings" tab on Do-It?  I have most of my cart all set up for my order

I don't use that specific glitter but yes, use the stuff under the "paint and coatings" tab. I know some will use that glitter and mix it in with epoxy and brush it on and it is a good option if you epoxy your jigs after painting.