Mick Posted December 23, 2003 Report Share Posted December 23, 2003 I have a large amount of lead which I use for jigheads but it is very soft and I would like to know if there is any thing that can be added to it to make it harder. Problems arise when trying to paint the lead. Due to its softness it only needs a slight bump and the jighead dents and the paint/clear coat cracks off. Thanks Mick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Littlebear Posted December 23, 2003 Report Share Posted December 23, 2003 add some tire weights to the lead that should harden it up some.. good luck.. littlebear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gonefishindd Posted December 23, 2003 Report Share Posted December 23, 2003 I use soft lead (old lead pipe) for my jigs. Your problem might not be the lead,but the paint.I use vinyl paint with few problems, itis very chip resistant. Littlebear is right on,tire weights are harder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavu Posted December 24, 2003 Report Share Posted December 24, 2003 Linotype metal is great for adding to pure lead. You can sometimes get it from newspapers that have gone away from mechanical to digital printing, but still have the equipment. I mix my lead 5 lbs of linotype to 15 lbs of pure lead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Celticav Posted December 24, 2003 Report Share Posted December 24, 2003 Tin added should harden it up too, JIM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick Posted December 25, 2003 Author Report Share Posted December 25, 2003 Thanks for the info guys, I'll try throwing in some lead free soldier that I have lying around, it is about 95% tin. After reading a gun forum I may also start using wheel weights which seem to be popular with the re-loading guys as the stuff contains tin and antimony which is a lot stronger than pure lead. My problem is definately the lead, as I used the same painting process with some harder jig heads I have and the finish was great and hard as a rock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BR Posted December 25, 2003 Report Share Posted December 25, 2003 What I use for jigs is a mixture of 2/3 tire weights(hard lead) and 1/3 plumbers lead(soft). It makes a great jig and is virtually chip proof with powder paint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
