Fatman

Forgot one part - the one on the right is 110 volt the one on the left is 220 volt and is called the Export Model

meallenjr They look good. You said you were picky on some of them, what's wrong with the ones you were picky about. Could you post pics of those showing what's wrong with them Fatman

Ok here's mine: #1 I actually see 2 things. The pot on the right based on the edge look has had the pot assembly replaced and only because I know LEE pots the one on the left has a 4” clearance under the pour spout. #2 The clearance difference allows you to fit ALMOST all sizes of bullet molds and most sinker molds under the pour spout. Fatman

Go over to Crappie.com and look up Grousefly, TNT jigs, Crazy Angler Tackle, Uncle Bobs or Chuck and Debs. I believe they all carry them. Fatman

I use my wire formers as much as possible but can only go up to .035 wire. I have the Netcraft wire bender before they merged with Janns, and a handheld one. On the handheld there is a small round edge that helps you with the start of forming eyes, then you use the pliers if the wire is too big. Fatman

When they first proposed the Ban I lived in NY and I wrote in on the public comment period, and was against it. Have since moved to Vermont and it's just as bad here. Sinkers 1/2 or above can be lead, jigs can be lead, lures can have lead as well as flies and lead core fishing line. Split shot have to be non-lead. Most of the data came from Loon Deaths in Minnisota and New Hampshire. Well when you get copies of the data NETS all kinds and pollution kill more waterfowl than lead ever will. Lead seeps naturally in the ground so quit blaming everything on the lead fishing tackle. Part of me thinks Big tackle companies are part of this (in the background, of course) cause the more we have to buy from them the less we'll make!!! A few of us in Vermont took lake water and had it tested, put two unpainted jig heads in one bottle and 2 powder painted jig heads in another bottle. Had em tested before and after, There was already a very low concentration of lead in the water and the jigs in both bottles didnt' change the levels at all. Make sure to go to the meetings and repley if give a public comment period. The costs of changing materials, I'd like to know how they figured $40+ a year more for non-lead, buying materials that will melt in my lead pot cost way more. Fatman Fatman

You want tying materials alot for a little go to Fly Tyers Dungeon http://www.flytyersdungeon.com/ he has really good stuff and you always get a good deal. He makes everything himself. Fatman

For 1/4 oz jig heads I always pour with straight tire weight. But as you want some details to show on the jig head I gotta agree with psv on a mix of pure/tire weight. You'll have to experiment with mix's till you get exactly what you want and when you do write it down in a notebook or even on the handle of the mold so you don't forget it. Also make sure to keep this mix in a seperate box or ziplock bag marked as to what it's for, that way you'll always have some ready when you want to pour. fatman

Not bad for your first!!! Yes, treble hooks are a pain to tie and you'll get stuck more than a few times before you get it down. I was gonna ask about the weight too, even with the brass beads that size blade is gonna lift the spinner when you retrieve it, so you may find after trying that more weight is needed. Always happens when you first try spinners we've all gone through it. The only thing I'd recommend is that you make a few more wraps of wire on the hook end. Using size 5 trebles and large blade I'm assuming you're going after big fish. A few more wraps is just good insurance. Fatman

I just got my new print catalouge from Hagens and looking inside the back page they're getting into the custom molding business. They say to contact them for info. Fatman

A guy who just bought one had a few problems but the guys talked him through it, here's the thread http://www.tackleunderground.com/community/topic/19736-powder-coating-gun/ Fatman

Looks good the way it is but a fish tears up that thread and it will unravel quick. If you go with a 210 denier flat thread it should really help your tying. As I've posted this sites address all over the place to lure makers another good tying site is crappie.com. If you're gonna get into using craft hair get the good stuff from Punisher Lures (they own the float-n-fly system) I see a bunch of us here go there too. Fatman

For $11.99 I'd pick it up. Wish there was a Cabelas here in Vermont. Fatman

Just wanted to check and see if you'd received them yet and had a chance to try them???? Fatman

Looks like a take off of a Charlie Brewer slider head jig with a different style hook. Fatman

Buy yourself some cheap insurance and quit guessing at your temp. Go get an oven thermometer and put it inside and check temp. Definately worth 3 bucks or so. Got mine at WalMart. Fatman

MT This discussion pops up every single week, better that people know about it before they plunk their hard earned dollars down!!!!!!! If it was only a one time thing I could see a Mod deleting it but this crap has been going on with this company for a couple years straight and not just on TU. I believe that's why the Mods leave it. Fatman

If it works by the way of your description I might have to get some myself. Some of the smaller size jig heads in the Do It molds really need a longer eyelet hole when using the Matzuo sickle hooks. They would work way better with a bigger cut hole. Fatman

Yeah both my pots are IV's, I'm tempted but it's always worked so good (That old adage about if it ain't broke don't screw with it!!!!!!! pops to mind LOL), but I could have the old timer fixed up and use the newer one for a daily, daily pot and give it a good workout. Fatman

After you get em and try em post back with photo's of how they worked for you!!!!!! Fatman

You can order bulk parts through Worth and Hagens besides the others listed, personally I find Stamina's prices a little high. On wheel weights, man don't count em out!!!!!!!!!!!!!! get em throw out the zinc ones (one's I've seen have a Z or ZA on them) keep your pot at about 600 degrees and melt em down and flux it. Make a list of your molds and mark down what works the best in that mold. I've got molds that I can use tire weights down to 1/16 th of an ounce in others I can only use pure or a 2 to 1 mix of pure and tire weight. For the molds you can get away with the tire weight it leaves you the pure for harder to pour molds, and yes everyone likes a clean break when taking sprues off and tire weight is a little tougher but it does come off clean, the ones that don't use a cheap file and a emory board on the sprue line and you're all set. With prices of parts and lead, give up tire weight lead when I can get it for free NOT A CHANCE. I have never heard of a Hazmat surcharge on mailing lead to someone. Welcome to the sometimes crazy world of lure making it really is FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!! Fatman

Nope the tip is attached to the inner pot. Basically what the other guys have said flux more and you won't get the problem. I have an old jig head with the barb cut off and bent in an L shape if it ever does. If you ever send that pop back to Lee for refurbish or repair you may have voided the warranty. On the fluxing I don't see where it would take you any longer to do it since when you add lead it needs to melt and come up to temp anyway. My wife just saw where I can have my whole pot refurbished for 1/2 the price of a new one and I told her no way it works too darn good!!!!!!!!!! I bought it in 1983 and it's still kickin out jigs bigtime!!!!! Fatman

Those are the two big ones, but after that you're getting into custom molds!! Del-mart, Shawn Collins and some of the guys posted others here. Don't expect any of these companies to make a mold for you on a patented jig head cause they won't. Most anything else is fair game. Fatman

The last I heard was that Hilts Molds were being sold by Dolphin Sports Inc.. The latest date on the web page http://www.hiltsmolds.com/ shows as 2005 so you may want to call the number listed there to see if they're still in business Fatman

Had a few of those, after a pour I have a drip cup that goes underneath and helps stop that. Just keep ointment on it at all times and keep it clean they heal up quick. Fatman