Mountainclimber Posted October 22, 2013 Report Share Posted October 22, 2013 (edited) Not sure if this is the proper place to post this, but I was wondering if you can safely pour lead into a mold made from soft oil based modeling clay (like a kids modeling clay that doesn't dry out)??? If not, can it be poured into a cured Sculpey mold? Thanks! Edited October 22, 2013 by Mountainclimber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishbayte Posted October 22, 2013 Report Share Posted October 22, 2013 NO, dont do it, you will totally ruin your molds and not likely pour what you are hoping for! 275-300F is the temp for a sculpey type clay...and modeling clay will melt LONG before you get it poured! Lead needs min 400F to be melted! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mountainclimber Posted October 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2013 (edited) Thanks! I was looking for an alternative to the mold putty like Aluminlite makes ($30 for 1 lb, which is way more than I need). Are any of the silicone molds rated for that high of a temp? I'm knew to all of this, but I have a bait sculpted out and ready to start molding! Edited October 22, 2013 by Mountainclimber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted October 22, 2013 Report Share Posted October 22, 2013 (edited) I tried that as a kid, melting 22 bullets and repouring them in a modeling clay mold. It didn't work, too hot for the clay, even after I tried cooling the mold with water. Big mistake, but I escaped uninjured. You really should post this in the Wire Baits forum. Those guys know everything there is to know about pouring lead. Edited October 22, 2013 by mark poulson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mountainclimber Posted October 23, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2013 Thanks again guys. Believe it or not I have actually used wood to mold jigheads before. It was pretty crude but worked for awhile. I've got some awkward shaped heads to make this time and may just spring for the two-part puddy. Thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhahn427 Posted October 23, 2013 Report Share Posted October 23, 2013 Melting pt of lead is 600 degrees Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lbslures1 Posted October 23, 2013 Report Share Posted October 23, 2013 Thanks! I was looking for an alternative to the mold putty like Aluminlite makes ($30 for 1 lb, which is way more than I need). Are any of the silicone molds rated for that high of a temp? I'm knew to all of this, but I have a bait sculpted out and ready to start molding! There are a lot of high temp rtv silicones out there that will work great and not that hard to work with. Some of the putty type work well but you will have to be pretty quick when working with them. The liquid types are best all around but they take time to cure, like two days to make a two part mold. I have made many using the red colored liquid high temp silicone but the place I have always gotten it has discontinued that product. If you go to a putty type, you will need to refrigerate it for a few hours first and this will give you some extra time to work with it. As far as the modeling clay, I think you have gotten the answer already. The clay would have to be heated before you poured lead into it and that would end that right off. Even if you did not preheat the clay, the moisture in the clay would probably cause an explosion when the lead was poured into it, it would burn you and destroy the mold. Go on internet search and search for hight temp rtv silicone material Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lbslures1 Posted October 23, 2013 Report Share Posted October 23, 2013 There are a lot of high temp rtv silicones out there that will work great and not that hard to work with. Some of the putty type work well but you will have to be pretty quick when working with them. The liquid types are best all around but they take time to cure, like two days to make a two part mold. I have made many using the red colored liquid high temp silicone but the place I have always gotten it has discontinued that product. If you go to a putty type, you will need to refrigerate it for a few hours first and this will give you some extra time to work with it. As far as the modeling clay, I think you have gotten the answer already. The clay would have to be heated before you poured lead into it and that would end that right off. Even if you did not preheat the clay, the moisture in the clay would probably cause an explosion when the lead was poured into it, it would burn you and destroy the mold. Go on internet search and search for hight temp rtv silicone material for pouring lead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted October 23, 2013 Report Share Posted October 23, 2013 Can you use the caulking gun sealant silicone for lead molds? It works for plastics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhahn427 Posted October 23, 2013 Report Share Posted October 23, 2013 Can you use the caulking gun sealant silicone for lead molds? It works for plastics. You'd have to check the specs on it ............... it would have to accept temps 600 - 700 degrees ......... most of the high temp Silicone says to @ 500 degrees but it works .......... might try stuff for mufflers on cars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted October 24, 2013 Report Share Posted October 24, 2013 Will do. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
