jimcline Posted February 28, 2009 Report Share Posted February 28, 2009 Getting ready to go walleye fishing for the spring run in the Maumee River in Ohio and had my first experience making floating jig heads. Wow, what a cool and simple process. You just use your regular jig molds and a C clamp and a couple rubber bands and your set. Some friends brought over some stuff called expandable styrene and we poured up a couple hundred jigs in no time. You just pour a little of the styrene granules in each cavity and then put the mold back together and clamp it shut with the C clamp and then rubber band the lead cap down in the pour holes and put the whole rig in boiling water for ten minutes and you've got perfect floating jig heads. The lead cap is just an overpour of lead to fill the pour holes and then used to keep the styrene from pushing out of the holes. I'm sure this has been discussed here before but I've never seen it done and was really pleased at how easy it is. Hope this gives you some new ideas, JIM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CUTTER Posted February 28, 2009 Report Share Posted February 28, 2009 Were do you get the expandable stryene. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimcline Posted February 28, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2009 Were do you get the expandable stryene. Thanks Try this: sportfishlakeerie.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLT Posted March 1, 2009 Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 Try this: sportfishlakeerie.com That link came up as some charter web site and design? I'd be interested in seeing how this comes out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted March 1, 2009 Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 Is fishing them going to be a problem, as they will be so light? I think the material must be similar to that used by some of the hardbaits guys, 16Lb foam. But this is a 2 part mix, pour, close the mold and wait 10 mins. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimcline Posted March 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 BLT, sorry about the website but that's what was was on the paperwork that my friends had. I will try to get more info for you. Dave, fishing them should not be a problem. Yes they are light but the the typical way of fishing them in the Maumee is like a Carolina rig but with a heavier running line and a lighter leader. I'm not sure if it's the same thing as the hard bait guys are using or not. This is a 1 part mix. You simply pour a small amount of styrene granules in each cavity, put the cap in place, rubber band that in place and then put the whole mess in boiling water for 10 minutes and you got floating jig heads. Slickest thing I've ever seen. A little water based paint and you're set. The only thing I didn't mention before is you have to remove the handles from your molds first. I erred in my first post when I said you pour some granules in each cavity and then close the mold, it's the other way around. Folks, this is some seriously good stuff. Let's hear some ideas. JIM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted March 1, 2009 Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 How hard is the final result (comparison will do)? Density? Cost? Website? We need to do some reading on this material. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimcline Posted March 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 As far as density goes, imagine a solid styrofoam ball. My friend paid about 12.00 for a sandwich bag full(that's how it came). He was told it would make at least 1000 jigs but I think that is a conservative estimate. We made a couple hundred and barely put a dent in it. Maybe they sent him extra, who knows but the cost we estimate to be around 5 cents a jig with hook and all. The only website I have is the one I listed above so you might contact them and get more info. I'm sorry I don't have more for you now but i will endeavor to get you more info as I can. JIM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
osuliveshere Posted April 9, 2009 Report Share Posted April 9, 2009 sorry for jumping in...i to am going to maumee and $2.00 for 5 is a bit much so i was wanting to make some to. I read your post and thanks BIG help. I found styrene granules at hobby lobby and jo-ann fabrics $10.00 about same size bag. Boiling water is a definite sure beat the hell out of propane torch lol. good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Grump Posted April 9, 2009 Report Share Posted April 9, 2009 These are the beads that are used to make 'styrofoam' ice chests, etc - the kind you find in conveience (sp?) stores. In high school, we made duck decoys / insulated water jugs, etc from them in shop class. The drill in shop class was to partially expand them first - we heated them in an autoclave (steam cooker) for a few moments, then stuffed them in the decoy mold, and cooked the mold to form the finished product. If not pre-expanded, they are very dense/heavier, which is likely good for things like floating jigs. UG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robalo01 Posted April 12, 2009 Report Share Posted April 12, 2009 Any trouble with them sticking to the mold? Do you use a release? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimcline Posted April 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2009 Any trouble with them sticking to the mold? Do you use a release? No problem with them sticking to the mold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROWINGADUBAY Posted May 14, 2009 Report Share Posted May 14, 2009 Did anyone find out where to by the unexpanded styrene beads I tried Michaels jo-ann and hobby-lobby and nothing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROWINGADUBAY Posted May 14, 2009 Report Share Posted May 14, 2009 I called r&r sports they used to sell the expandable styrene they don't anymore because it was made ilegal for releasing some type of ozone gas or so they said Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
george12182 Posted May 14, 2009 Report Share Posted May 14, 2009 Do a google search for micro beads. I couldn't find them at joann's or michael's. Jo ann carries them online thouhg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROWINGADUBAY Posted May 14, 2009 Report Share Posted May 14, 2009 (edited) I was given wrong info:o so please diregard the last message I found someone who sells the styrene on E-bay and gave him a call he is very informative and has 100% positive feedback he charges $12.00 a pound if you go to E-bay and search for make floating jigs it should come up the guy also includes instructions with your order I look at the ones jo-ann carries but i guess those are pre-expanded sorry about the mix up with the last post George Edited May 14, 2009 by paintsniffer added info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
