jiggy Posted January 12, 2016 Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 Hey Guys, I'm new to the site and new to lure making and I'm needing a little help with one of the problems I'm having.I've been pouring jigs for a few months now and 95% of the jigs look terrible where the sprue was. After I pour the jig I take a pair of pliers and wiggle the sprue until it comes off.I then take a file and go over it until it looks good but when I powder coat it the imperfections really show up.Any help would be appreciated.Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRammit Posted January 12, 2016 Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 I have the same problem... Because i keep forgetting to order these http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/lead-melters-tools/781898000043.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jiggy Posted January 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 I have that exact pair and I tried that too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatman Posted January 12, 2016 Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 wiggle the sprue, and then when it starts to loosen twist it like you're opening a bottle cap and it should come off a lot cleaner. I use an old pocket knife to smooth the sprue cut. Even with the gate cutters you can make a real ugly spot if you cut them off wrong - it takes practice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jiggy Posted January 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 Ok thanks,I haven't tried the wiggle and twist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LimpNoodle Posted January 12, 2016 Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 I have the same problem... Because i keep forgetting to order these http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/lead-melters-tools/781898000043.aspx See your one and raise you four. http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0063GL7UM?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00 Much better deal and they work quite well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LedHed Posted January 12, 2016 Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 Make sure you are using soft/clean lead.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaBehr Posted January 12, 2016 Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 I rub the area with side of a pair of good pliers (the side is slightly round) which helps fill in the gaps. I then use a series of fine files to finish them. MAKE SURE YOU CAPTURE THE FINE FILINGS (DUST). WEAR GLOVES AND A DUST MASK. WASH YOUR HANDS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archery1 Posted January 12, 2016 Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 a rough scotch brite pad on drill works good. As some one mentioned above soft clean lead a good pair of cutters or maybe a cheepy table belt sander from harbor freight? with fine paper but am sure it would clog up the paper really quick. with all that dust flyin around get your self a mask and glasses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LimpNoodle Posted January 12, 2016 Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 I use the bend and twist or use the gate cutters. After that I paint and fish. I'm not looking for perfection on a jig head or slab. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apdriver Posted January 12, 2016 Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 I use a good quality sprue cutter. Xuron is the Mfg. they cut close and clean. When I want to dress the area, I just take a file and hit it once. Doesn't create a lot of dust. Looks like you are removing a lot of lead with your method. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadman Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 (edited) Over the years, I have tried all kind of cutters, nippers and everything else. None of them work to my expectations. With that said, I am very picky about my jigs, so maybe its me. It all boils down to this, if you are using them for your own use and you don't care, then the fish don't care. When I fish, many times I give out jigs, so my jigs have to be perfect. I would not buy a jig that looks like the pic you posted, the paint job looks fine but like you mentioned the bottom where the sprue was doesn't. Please do not take any offense to this comment. If you are anal about quality like me and it seems that you are, here is what I do. Once the jig is poured, I just cut the sprue off with gate shears, and leave the final process for my warm basement. Once I have all my jigs done, you will notice a sharp cut usually lengthwise where the sprue was. Now I take my other pair of gate shears and trim off the remainder cutting cross wise. This will leave a lesser burr. My final step to get it smooth, is to take a half round bastard cut file and file it smooth. All the filing fall in a small tray I have, which I re-melt. Once done, they are ready for painting. let us know how it goes and if you come up with an easier idea. Edited January 13, 2016 by cadman 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLT Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 It almost looks like your pour isn't completed right around the sprue. I always use the cutters myself. Better cuts when the jig is still warm, but don't feel like you have to get it all in one cut. Some of my jigs take 2-3 small snips across. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlaery Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 Hey Guys, I'm new to the site and new to lure making and I'm needing a little help with one of the problems I'm having.I've been pouring jigs for a few months now and 95% of the jigs look terrible where the sprue was. After I pour the jig I take a pair of pliers and wiggle the sprue until it comes off.I then take a file and go over it until it looks good but when I powder coat it the imperfections really show up.Any help would be appreciated.Thanks It looks to me like that is a flat bottom and I would recommend a flat file. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jiggy Posted January 13, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 Thanks for all the advice guys.Cadman,I'm using these for my own use but I have some friends that want to buy some of my jigs.I wouldn't sell or give someone a jig that looks like that either.I'm using a flat file.The arky head jigs I've been pouring has been turning out better and I've been taking the sprue off while the lead is still warm.I'll try to do some more this weekend and give an update. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AKFerzy7 Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 Bet they give a better rocking motion than a cleaner sprue. Dont throw em away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadman Posted January 14, 2016 Report Share Posted January 14, 2016 Thanks for all the advice guys.Cadman,I'm using these for my own use but I have some friends that want to buy some of my jigs.I wouldn't sell or give someone a jig that looks like that either.I'm using a flat file.The arky head jigs I've been pouring has been turning out better and I've been taking the sprue off while the lead is still warm.I'll try to do some more this weekend and give an update. I figured that. I have two sets of jigs in my tackle box. Really perfect ones I pass out to guys I meet at the ramp or tourneys, and ones that I fish. Many times when I pour 100 jigs at a time, I'll miss a couple that don't have perfect collars or slight imperfections. Those I paint and use for myself. Also I don't know how coarse your file is, but the the half round bastard cut file I mentioned above, has aggressive teeth so it cuts fast. Also you can use the half round side for Arkies by the weedguard hole. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LimpNoodle Posted January 14, 2016 Report Share Posted January 14, 2016 I figured that. I have two sets of jigs in my tackle box. Really perfect ones I pass out to guys I meet at the ramp or tourneys, and ones that I fish. Many times when I pour 100 jigs at a time, I'll miss a couple that don't have perfect collars or slight imperfections. Those I paint and use for myself. Also I don't know how coarse your file is, but the the half round bastard cut file I mentioned above, has aggressive teeth so it cuts fast. Also you can use the half round side for Arkies by the weedguard hole. I'm kind of the opposite. The good stuff I fish. Anything else the rest of the people in my boat can fish. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jiggy Posted January 17, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2016 Update... I poured about 20 more jigs and only had about 8 that didn't look perfect. I twisted the sprue off,cut it close with gate shears and then filed it smooth with a flat file. I forgot about trying to cut it in both directions then filing. I've got a set of half round bastard cut files ordered so I'll try that next. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaBehr Posted January 17, 2016 Report Share Posted January 17, 2016 Make sure you capture the lead scraps and dust! I file over a piece of newspaper and carefully wrap it up and dispose when I'm done. Also, wash your hands well after your done and NO food, drinks or cigarettes while you are creating dust (that gets on your hands...you don't want to get it in your mouth.) Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slammingjack Posted January 17, 2016 Report Share Posted January 17, 2016 I have two types of molds that the sprue is in a different place. Round head the sprue is on the tip/ nose. I remove the sprue by holding the sprue with a pair of wire cutters. and holding the jig head. I rock the sprue side to side. Easy to do. no holes in the body of the jig. Then there is the kind of molds that have the sprue on the side of the jig near the tip. These are the pains to do. I still use a wire cutter to hold the sprue and rock the jig head front to back. once it starts to get loose I twist the sprue.It also works better if you hold the sprue closer to the jig head. Then I use a half round bastard file (learned this from the smart and helpful Cadman awhile back) to smooth it out. I also have a small craft file for fine smoothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jiggy Posted January 17, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2016 I've been holding the sprue at the widest part.I'll try holding it closer to the jighead. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadman Posted January 18, 2016 Report Share Posted January 18, 2016 I've been holding the sprue at the widest part.I'll try holding it closer to the jighead. Thanks Just a few more tips. The half round bastard cut file will make quick work of any sprue material left, even the hardest lead. Also I've never had to clean mine, because the lead is hard and doesn't stick inside the grooves. On using your file and the lead particles. When I file my jigs in the basement, I have a small plastic tray , that I got for those TV dinners( are they still called that) anyway, this has served me well as a file over the tray to collect filings. One other thing is that I also wear two latex gloves on my hands. This keeps any lead from going onto my hands, since you will be holding the jig in one hand and filing it in another. All the lead falls in the tray and then I just put it back in my pot. I don't worry about lead dust, because as you will see, even the smallest particle of lead is heavy and it will fall in your tray. keep us tuned in on your progress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLT Posted January 18, 2016 Report Share Posted January 18, 2016 I file them, but HATE to do it lol. I just want to get it over with and don't even worry bout the shavings. I sit and lean over the 30 gallon trash can and in they go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
