gdowney Posted April 21, 2011 Report Share Posted April 21, 2011 I just bought a couple of Arky style jig molds that have the bait keeper. When I made my first pour they worked great. When I went back the next day to pour again the lead would not completely fill the mold filling only the head area like air was not allowing the mold to be filled or the molds were to cool. Also if I pour without a hook they pour fine. I preheat my molds on a hot plate and flux every pour. The only thing that I have not done is use the mold release that has been mentioned. I did not buy this because Do-It says that it is not needed, but since this started I have ordered some. But is this the problem or is there something else wrong? Also what are the polishing steps for jig heads that everyone is talking about? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atijigs Posted April 21, 2011 Report Share Posted April 21, 2011 I just bought a couple of Arky style jig molds that have the bait keeper. When I made my first pour they worked great. When I went back the next day to pour again the lead would not completely fill the mold filling only the head area like air was not allowing the mold to be filled or the molds were to cool. Also if I pour without a hook they pour fine. I preheat my molds on a hot plate and flux every pour. The only thing that I have not done is use the mold release that has been mentioned. I did not buy this because Do-It says that it is not needed, but since this started I have ordered some. But is this the problem or is there something else wrong? Also what are the polishing steps for jig heads that everyone is talking about? Thanks. There is a good chance that the lead is not hot enough. Try pouring again without hooks. Keep doing it until the lead not only fills the head but goes out the hook slot as well. At this point you should be ready to start with the hooks. One other note- clean lead is a must for pouring any mold. I recently purchase a lee pot very cheep from a guy that was frustrated with pouring. The pot had lead in it. I fired it up and found his frustration was from trying to pour dirty lead. It took about 20 minutes of fluxing to get the lead clean enough to work. I got more dross out of his 2 lbs of lead than I will from mine pouring many hundreds of jigs. So pre clean the lead before heating it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gdowney Posted April 21, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2011 The lead I have may be the cause. It was given to me by a person that pours a lot of jigs but he said that he never fluxed or anything he just melts and pours. Thanks for the info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gdowney Posted April 21, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2011 I took this off an earlier post. This is what my lead looks like after fluxing. The person that gave me the lead gave me about 60lbs in 10lb ingots. After seeing this post I need to remelt the lead and clean it. Resized to 50% (was 640 x 480) - Click image to enlarge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atijigs Posted April 21, 2011 Report Share Posted April 21, 2011 I took this off an earlier post. This is what my lead looks like after fluxing. The person that gave me the lead gave me about 60lbs in 10lb ingots. After seeing this post I need to remelt the lead and clean it. Resized to 50% (was 640 x 480) - Click image to enlarge The lead is the problem. Your pot will function much better also with clean lead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gdowney Posted April 21, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2011 OK. Thanks for the help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted April 21, 2011 Report Share Posted April 21, 2011 That looks like zinc contamination. It would be worth testing the rest of the ingots befor putting in your pot. Cut a chunk off and melt it in a can. A lot of work, yes, but less work than having to clean out your pot. Once lead has been contaminated with zinc, it is hardly worth the effort to rescue it. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
