zenbasser Posted November 27, 2003 Report Share Posted November 27, 2003 Hi, Im a first time poster and tried to search but didnt find a related post. With some of the concerns about lead, is bismuth a reasonable alternative for a home hobby jig maker? What sources are there for buying it and can you use the same equipment as you would with lead? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deadlystreamer Posted November 27, 2003 Report Share Posted November 27, 2003 zenbasser, You posted a good question. I don't know that much about bismuth, but it's something to look into. Maybe some of the other guys have already checked it out. I looked on the web about it tonight and see where it says this about the stuff. Quote More Like Lead, But LegalBismuth is right next to lead on the periodic table. That means it?s nearly as dense as lead, and much heavier than steel. So if you liked lead, you?ll love Bismuth.* Not sure what the melting requirements would be or if it would melt in my lead pot. Probably would but there again how is it compareable to the weight of lead. Darn good question Zenbasser. Hope we get some insight from someone who knows more about it then I do. George Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deadlystreamer Posted November 27, 2003 Report Share Posted November 27, 2003 Zenbasser. Check this out. http://www.azom.com/details.asp?ArticleID=590 Interesting stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodsac Posted November 27, 2003 Report Share Posted November 27, 2003 I don't know first hand, but I've done some reading. From what I've read, it melts easily over the stove (or in you lead pot). It's primarily used for shooting purposes. It's 86% denser then steel and lead is only 68% denser. That's just what I found out. I don't know what you pay for lead, but this seems pretty pricey, but I'm sure it would go a long way. Hope this helps. http://www.precisionreloading.com/bismuth_shot.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deadlystreamer Posted November 27, 2003 Report Share Posted November 27, 2003 Thanks Jake. Very interesting and like you say, pretty pricey. I've been melting lead for over 30 years and have never had to buy any. I got piles of it from the phone Company years ago and melted it into bars that I still use today. Thanks for your input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zenbasser Posted November 27, 2003 Author Report Share Posted November 27, 2003 Thanks.....I see eBay has several listing for Bismuth.....and I also wrote to Do It molds tonight to ask their opinion, I'll post back what they send me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Ratz Posted November 27, 2003 Report Share Posted November 27, 2003 I have poured quite a few lures using a lead alternative called Jewerly Casting metal or 92-8. It is made up of 98% tin and even some silver in the mix which gives it a bright shinny surface. This metal is lead free but even lighter than bismuth and no where near the price. It pours like lead but sets up a lot harder. Of couse you lure has to be probably 30% bigger to to make it the same weight as a lead lure. I ordered mine from Hallmark Metal Corp. http://www.hallmarkmetalscorp.com/ . Good people to work with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlaery Posted November 27, 2003 Report Share Posted November 27, 2003 I spin cast Bismuth/Tin alloy. It flows easier than lead, takes 4 times longer to set up and it melts around 300 degrees. Bismuth by itself melts at 500 degrees or so and so does Tin, mixed together they melt around 280 to 300. The Tin makes it lighter than the Bismuth but it flows better and breaks off smoother. When you break the Bismuth off, it leaves a rough edge. The Bismuth is more brittle, whereas the Tin is hard. Bismuth doesn't seem to get rid of the heat like lead does. Bismuth expands as it cools, other metals shrink. I have melted it in a Lee pot and poured in a Do-It mold, it is a little harder to break off. It snaps off, on lead you have to bend back and forth to break off. I said earlier that it takes longer to set up, but in an aluminum mold it sets up as fast as lead. If you wanted to try some, I'd sell you some ingots. They weigh about a pound each. Just send me a e-mail. dlaery@iland.net David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Celticav Posted November 27, 2003 Report Share Posted November 27, 2003 This is intresting stuff, makes me wanna spend the winter experimenting. JIM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zenbasser Posted November 27, 2003 Author Report Share Posted November 27, 2003 Hey all, thanks.....With winter setting in, maybe i should do some experimenting, too. Sounds kind of fun. I've never done any kind of metal work -- strickly a fly tier -- but it seems like its easy enough to get started...... Thanks for the answers to a rookie like me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
