Leaderboard

This is the alloy I use https://www.rotometals.com/lead-free-bullet-casting-alloy-bismuth-based/. Tougher than pure bismuth or bismuth tin. Melts at a higher temp, pours at around *500. I started using this when I figured if it's togh enough for bullet casting, it's gotta be tough enough for jig making. It is still brittle but not as brittle as other tin bismuth alloys. I have dropped some one the floor and had them crack. I also powder paint mine. I use an alcohol lamp and hold the jig over the flame for about 3-4 seconds then dip. Then to an oven around 200-250 degrees. These are a PITA to remove from the mold!

Well thanks for the info. Yes Bismuth is easy to pour but tough to remove from the mold as you mentioned. Also tough to file the excess sprue material. I have had to literally dig out some bismuth heads from molds. Even "Drop Out" doesn't seem to help too much. It seems that lead shrinks some when it cools in the mold and bismuth seems to expand. Just my observation. Thanks Again f0or the info.