basscat28 Posted February 3, 2017 Report Share Posted February 3, 2017 I want to start making my own lead belly weights for crankbaits. Does anyone make a mold for them? I didn't see one by do-it. I don't mind making my own,but rather than trial and error a bunch,does anyone have any help they want to lend? I'm sure making a mold out of wood is going to be the easiest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stretcher66 Posted February 3, 2017 Report Share Posted February 3, 2017 here is a tutorial by Lincoya in the member submitted tutorials. its a great how to. i made on of these and it works perfect... http://www.tackleunderground.com/community/topic/23195-making-your-own-aluminum-mold-for-pouring-belly-weights/ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonister Posted February 3, 2017 Report Share Posted February 3, 2017 the Do-it dropshot mold can be re purposed. They make nice little inserts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eastman03 Posted February 3, 2017 Report Share Posted February 3, 2017 I was just experimenting with the same thing. Watched a Paul Adams video. And I replicated kinda what he did. Clamped two 2x4's together and used a Forstner bit to drill in the joint. Poured lead in the holes. Then unclamp and pop the little cylinders out. Worked pretty good. A hard wood might work better. A bit of the lead seeped out. I'm curious what other guys do as well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basscat28 Posted February 3, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2017 2 hours ago, stretcher66 said: here is a tutorial by Lincoya in the member submitted tutorials. its a great how to. i made on of these and it works perfect... http://www.tackleunderground.com/community/topic/23195-making-your-own-aluminum-mold-for-pouring-belly-weights/ After reading that tutorial,that seems like an awesome way of doing it. I might have to try doing this and be playing around with the weights. I want to make them for bass sized balsa baits so I'll be doing 1.5,2,2.5,3,and 3.5 gram weights probably. Thanks for the share! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basscat28 Posted February 3, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2017 2 hours ago, jonister said: the Do-it dropshot mold can be re purposed. They make nice little inserts I thought about that as well, with their finesse drop shot mold but thought I might get away cheaper than $40 mold and then using it for only belly weights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZ Fisher Posted February 3, 2017 Report Share Posted February 3, 2017 I have been using the Do-it 3/8 oz dropshot mold sinkers for belly weights. They are 1/4 inch in diameter and if you reem the hole just a hair larger they will slide right in. I cut them into thirds, 1/8 oz each , and that centers my bait well. 7 hours ago, jonister said: the Do-it dropshot mold can be re purposed. They make nice little inserts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW Lures Posted February 4, 2017 Report Share Posted February 4, 2017 I got a do-it blank mold. I drill different depth for different weights. Most are 1/4" in diameter except a few I did a 1/8". I did hard wood at first to fine weight valve per depth (from V-Man). Another thing I'm going to do next is to get flat stock of aluminum and make another one. Dale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted February 4, 2017 Report Share Posted February 4, 2017 Two wood plates with locator pins work for me. You can even get creative and insert a removable pin to form a hole for hook hangers. You must pull the pin out quick or it will get stuck. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted February 4, 2017 Report Share Posted February 4, 2017 Lure Parts Online sells belly weights with a hook hanger. They work really well for me. I use mostly the 2 and 3 gram, but I bought the 5 gram, too, because they are still 1/4" diameter, and I shorten them to get between 3 and 5 grams. They are a harder lead alloy, so I score them deeply with a drywall knife, and then use diagonal pliers to cut them. Because they are a harder lead, they snap off with a square end, instead of pinching with a point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gliders Posted February 4, 2017 Report Share Posted February 4, 2017 Made mine from aluminium bar also,I don't have eyes in mine so fairly straightforward and worth the effort .Aluminium the way to go. I make mould cavities 0.5mm diameter smaller than ballast hole in lure for fit.......glider. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW Lures Posted February 4, 2017 Report Share Posted February 4, 2017 I buy my belly hangers/weights. But when I need more ballast I use these. Really nice to have extra weight in different sizes. Ben buys lead wire and cuts it off to what he needs. Dale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basscat28 Posted February 12, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2017 I'm buying bar stock tomorrow and making the mold tomorrow night. Bought some stainless steel mechanics wire from harbor freight (sold in .99 rolls) look so to be .35 size wire...will this do? I don't want anything to be weak and break? What do you guys usually us for wire? Thanks again guys! You've been a huge help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW Lures Posted February 13, 2017 Report Share Posted February 13, 2017 .35 is pretty heavy. I use .30 304 ss harden straight wire. I can't remember what the others use. I believe it's around .22-.25. Make sure that you rough up your belly hangers for adhesion. Dale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gliders Posted February 13, 2017 Report Share Posted February 13, 2017 Basscat,if using lincoyas mould instructions,I noticed he uses 13/64 brad point for screw eye cavity but also calls it 13/16, I imagine just a typing error and both should read 13/64 ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
