acebaits Posted February 9, 2012 Report Share Posted February 9, 2012 Hi guys, First post but long time reader... I have been making spinnerbaits using the do-it ultra minnow spinnerbait mold and using lead flashing for the lead source. I have been having troubles with the wire becoming loose around the head of the spinnerbait after several fish. I have found a source of 99% tin and was looking at doing a lead/tin mix, but I use powderpaint to paint the heads. Will the lead tin alloy(in say a 70/30 lead/tin mix) melt when I powder paint? I am currently using toaster ovens to heat the heads prior to painting and cure the heads once finished. I use a badger powder gun to paint the heads. Or, would I be better off tying to source a harder lead such as wheel weights? Cheers, Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkvnmtr Posted February 9, 2012 Report Share Posted February 9, 2012 If you feel that the wire is coming loose because the lead is soft wheel weights will make a harder lead. The next step would be about a 5% tin content. This is what I use to make long vertical jigs that do not bent much. You will not get much benifit from a higher tin content. It will just cost more and be lighter. You will have no problem powder painting the result. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acebaits Posted February 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2012 Thanks for your reply. I beleive the soft lead is the cause of the movement in the wire- this is what other local guys are telling me, but the wont help me resolve the issue, except tell me to mix tin with it! So a 95/5 lead/tin mix should 'harden' the lead up some? Wheel weights are hard to come by around here- most tyre shops have supply contracts with metal recyclers. Cheers, Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basseducer Posted February 9, 2012 Report Share Posted February 9, 2012 Try the metal recyclers, they might sell you some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acebaits Posted February 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2012 Try the metal recyclers, they might sell you some. Thanks for your reply. Am in the process of doing this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkvnmtr Posted February 10, 2012 Report Share Posted February 10, 2012 When melting wheel weights be aware that there are zinc weights that you want to take out. They will cause you to lose a large percentage of your weight to the slag that forms on top of the melt. They have a Z or Zc on them. While you are at it you might as well take out the steel also. The steel will not pinch with pliers. I would not melt the in an electric pot. I use a burner outside. They make a lots of smoke from the grease and rubber that are mixed in. You might fine that les than 5% tin will be enough to harden your lead enough. Many times when buying lead in scrap yards I get a bar or two of solder thrown in.. Now days it is normally lead free and 90% tin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
