Army Doc Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 Anyone have a good way to smooth out lead jigs before paint, besides the obvious sandpaper route? I make my own jigs, but I don't pour the lead, I buy them in bulk online. I was thinking that a rock tumbler/polisher might work, but do any of you think it would dull the hooks or cause demise to the jig in any way? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TTDuckman Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 If there is anything more than some sprue to remove, I would consider another vendor. A file will work, I use an old lockblade to take my sprues off. Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlaery Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 (edited) I have a industrial vibratory polisher and it will remove Gold or Bronze finish in no time. The black nickel hooks will take a lot more abuse. If it is anything more that just a parting line, you will probably ruin the finish on the hooks. I have also tried a paint shaker, same result, takes the finish off of the hooks. Edited May 12, 2009 by dlaery Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Army Doc Posted May 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 Ok, but did it smooth the lead head out like it would a polished rock? I could always dip the hook back in some color. I found out that a bluing like they use in gun finishing works like a charm. As long as it doesn't dull the hook, or ruin the jig in the process, I guess I could deal with the finish coming off the hook. I just want an effective way of getting a super smooth finish on the lead without having to hand sand. I guess it's just my OCD kicking in. Some of the powder paints just look alot better on a glass like finish on the jig head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlaery Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 I have porcelain cylinders in my polisher and run a set of 1/4 leadheads for about 4 hours. It is not like polished rocks. It is a lot smoother. I sent these off to have Gold Plated. (they didn't want the Bronze finish on the hooks) they polished them more before they plated them. I don't know what kind of media they used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Army Doc Posted May 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 Cool, man. I'm thinking I can experiment with the media type through trial and error. I can toss a couple in the machine before work, and when I get home at lunch, I can switch it out, and repeat the process for a couple days till I find something I like the best. I'm gonna start with what you suggested first. Thank you for the advice. I'll let ya know how it turns out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatman Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 After I pour mine I break off the sprue, then I use an old barlow knife to trim off any flash and smooth off the sprue spot and that's it. Unless you have a business anything more than that IMO is a waste of time. I've tried 10 different colors of powder and never had anything but smooth finished heads. Fatman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
