Cub48

Salmon will be ok. Could you tell me how you do your jigs. I have not done any yet. but have read about how just want a jump on making them look the best. I have been using the jigs just bare. But my favorite color is red. Cub

I am wanting to know everyones opinion on the best hook size for crappie. Everyone I talk to about making jigs tell me different. Like yesterday I stopped at a bait shop and was talking to the guy he likes #2 with 1/32 or smaller jig. The next guy will like #6 the smaller the better.Then you have red hooks black hooks ect. I don't know how to put the counter in to keep up the score. But anyway let see how many different we have. Cub48

I have done this with the screwdriver and it helped. I think this is the pot before the iv as someone has put spacers under it to give it more room for the mold. I know the more you use it the better you get. I bought some power paint yesterday from Harbor Freight red and white these will make pink so i have three colors for the price of two. wanted to try before buying a lot of different colors. Thanks Cub

A friend of mine loaned me his Lee lead pot. I have used it but need to solve a few problems. When I first started it up it was leaking at the valve I cleaned it the best I could now it leaks only at times. Does the valve screw out so you can clean it. Or how is the best way to clean the valve. Next when filling the molds if i put the valve into the mold it will run the lead into the hole next to the other or maybe just a little drip in the hole enought to stop the hole up. Most of the time I get 6 out of 8 to fill. How is the best way to fill the molds. I heat the molds this is not the problem. Also the temp is ok I run it on 7 or 8. I flux the lead also.Thanks Cub48

Has anyone used Hard As Nails to paint jig heads it comes in alot of colors and has a brush in it. Also if you want to clear coat they have that too. Just trying to find something cheap and easy that does a good job. Cub48

I have just started pouring jig heads and i had the same problems i took a die grinder and polished the port there you pour the lead in then put my hooks in and put a tie strap thru the handle to hold the mold shut. put it over the flame on my coleman stove and heated the mold. tilted the mold as i poured and poured until excess runs off. also put a pan under to catch the excess lead to reuse. this worked for me. Cub

I am looking for some paint that works well with jigs so you can just dip and let dry. Not the little bottles at the sporting goods stores. Has anyone tried the little 1/2 pint cans of rustoelum or other hardware brands. Has anyone tried spray cans like spray it in the lid paint with a brush. Everyone else talking about powder paint I know it's good but it's not what i want or can afford as a 1/2 pint runs 2.50 power 10.00 or better. Thanks for any input Cub48

Coat Hangers can be cut and bend a 45 degree in it sand the coating off take pliers to work the sinkers off they don't slide off easy.stainless may let them slide off easier. Cub48

Just made my second pour today. Did not have any flops. Poured three molds . Thanks for all the info on this site. Here is what I did. I took a die grinder and bur and smooth the pour holes in the mold, they were rough like cast this made the lead flow better. fluxed the lead with saw dust was going to use wax but could not find it. Also cleaned the spout of my laddle with the die grinder. Heated the mold with hooks in. put a pan under the mold to catch the over pour. tilted the mold to the side and poured . best looking jigs so far. Used the Matzuo #4 sickle hook. tried them out Saturday worked great. Cub48

Thanks Hawnjigs The thread I saw just said a little about it. So after your reply I did a search on it. I think I have some stickon weights that are zinc they apear harder than lead. I did drill the 1/32 to 1/24 or close these are user not seller the 1/32 was a litttle smaller than i like and you can't buy 1/24 molds that I saw. The mold is a Do it Mold it just looked like the hole where you pour the lead in was a little small and rough. What I was talking about holding the mold closed when you are pouring with a ladle it helps to have two hands. I am thinking about getting a pot but want to see how everything works first. Thanks everyone that replied Cub48

I have a few questions. I made my first pours today, I had a few flops but did get some useable jigs. I am pouring 1/6 and 1/32 I drilled the 1/32 to around 1/24. The hole in the top of the mold looks like it may need drilled a little bigger they look small. What is the best way to cut the jig off i used side cutters but they leave a tapered top. Next does lead get harder the more you cook it or does it get softer. Does it help to spray your molds with spray oil or something. I am pouring with a ladle what does everyone use to hold the mold together while pouring I used tie straps but you waste one every pour. I never fluxed going to try this next. I saw a thread that said something about zinc wheel weights how can you tell the difference are they a lot harder I have some stick on weights that seem a lot harder have not melted yet. Thank for your info Cub48