Smoking molds

[Mike J]

Ok guys I just need to ask this because I've been pouring lead for 15 years now and I have never done this, don't even know how to, and have no idea what the reason for it is. No one around my area that pours lead does this. Just looking to learn. Maybe I'm missing out here.

[Justin9j]

Take a candle light it and hold the mold cavities right up to the flame and it will smoke the cav.  Sometimes I put the flame out with the mold makes a better smoked cav I think.
It helps with molds that have a mind of their own. Ones that don't like to pour all they way. 
I think drop out works the best.

[2XL]

From what I gather it basically works like a release agent akin to drop out. I've never felt the need to smoke or candle ( as some call it )or use a release agent in any of my molds.

[Mike J]

Thanks guys I guess I the only molds I have are Do-it jig molds and no problem with them coming out. Sometimes I have problems with them filling when I try to use to big or the wrong hooks so maybe it would help with that.

[kevin]

I use drop out in all my molds. They lead comes out much easier  and u dont have to spray it on very often , check it out.It will make ur life alot easier .
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/763758/frankford-arsenal-drop-out-bullet-mold-release-agent-and-lube-6-oz-aerosol

[gone2long]

It acts as a release as well as help lead flow as stated, but agree that drop out works great and it convenient.

[ctom]

I'm in the same camp as 2XL and Mike as far as not needing any assist agent in getting jigs to pop out of the Do-It molds.

[Justin9j]

I have some old ones that if you don't smoke or use drop out they will not poor.
Soft lead helps but don't solve it completely. 
And sometimes when you mod a mold you have to use one or the other to make it work.
Go fitting a 4/0 owner in a 1:8 round head with a 30 weedguard and bait keeper keeper you need all the help you can get. The cav becomes a full house.

[ctom]

I can see where drop-out might help when the mold is stuffed but a standard jig mold should not need any chemical or smoke assist when using pure lead..

[Muskygary]

I love the drop out. Some molds that has lead on the hook shank won't fill out very well. Drop out helps a lot! It's sold by Do-it (page 96 in the catalog. Sometimes when making a order out and you need a little more on the order, add a can!

[Fatman]

Have never done it and no problems and thinking about smoking a mold that's gonna put soot on the head which would have to be cleaned off before powder painting. 

[Justin9j]

Soot does not transfer over.

[ctom]

Anything but a hook and lead in the mold is too much to think about when things are just fine as they are. You need to goober up a mold, fine, have at it. I've been casting jigs for over 50 years and have never, ever sooted a mold or sprayed a release agent in one. I have a couple really, really old Do-It molds [red handles where there's still paint] and have cast them and did not have any issues with the jigs coming out. When I hear all this chit chat about release this and that I think of dirty lead. Still, I can see where the spray in agent might help the lead slip easier when you have a mold with a busy inner cavity. I just think that for the every day regular old jig caster like me nothing is needed. 

[Justin9j]

Lol. Someone slam a door on your hand??  Sorry but I have too. And I'd say I'm not very good at it. But I get by.

[ctom]

Lol. Someone slam a door on your hand?? 

Not today bud. Got open water yet? We've warmed up to 5 above zero and I can see a touch of open water on the creek behind the house. I'm tempted to go drop a jig in that pocket.