Yak_addict_785 Posted January 31, 2018 Report Share Posted January 31, 2018 Curious to know if any of you jig makers sand the lead heads before powder painting them? If so, what do you guys use to sand them? I have been hand sanding mine using fine (400) grit sand paper but I wish there was an easier/quicker option? Possibly a dremel with sanding bit?! Interested in hearing from the more advanced/experienced crafters. Thanks in advance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basseducer Posted January 31, 2018 Report Share Posted January 31, 2018 If you are trying to knock off the sprue scar, I use a Dremel with a wand extension and a small sanding drum. Very quick and any sanding marks are covered by the powder paint. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jig Man Posted January 31, 2018 Report Share Posted January 31, 2018 I just use a knife blade to smooth the sprue area. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yak_addict_785 Posted January 31, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2018 Ok awesome. I kind of wondered if anybody ever sanded the entire jig head or not because when researching ideas I've never came across any articles about that topic. So maybe its not necessary for me to sand the entire head? Just the sprue area instead? I did paint a couple without sanding them but it just seemed like the quality wasnt as sharp as the one I sanded first.. I suppose that could also be because I was painting them green chartreuse? Maybe the particular color doesnt cover as many blemishes as a darker color of paint would perhaps? Thank you guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smalljaw Posted January 31, 2018 Report Share Posted January 31, 2018 I use a needle file and I file the sprue down over top of a catch basin (bowl). Using a Dremel could send lead dust through the air and make it more likely you'll inhale it and cause it to disperse over a larger area than you may want. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLT Posted January 31, 2018 Report Share Posted January 31, 2018 No need to sand the whole jig head. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadman Posted January 31, 2018 Report Share Posted January 31, 2018 I would not recommend sanding lead, as the fine dust you create becomes airborne and you breathe that in. I use a small half round bastard cut file to file down the remainder of the sprue after I cut it off. All the remains fall in a little tray I keep under the jig I'm sanding. Any rough marks left from the file, the powder paint will cover it to make a beautiful finish. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yak_addict_785 Posted January 31, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2018 I never thought about all the lead dust in the air while sanding. I'm glad I asked! Awesome, thank you guys for all the help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy1976 Posted January 31, 2018 Report Share Posted January 31, 2018 Definitely no need to sand the jig to make make the powder coat stick. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yak_addict_785 Posted February 1, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2018 11 hours ago, cadman said: I would not recommend sanding lead, as the fine dust you create becomes airborne and you breathe that in. I use a small half round bastard cut file to file down the remainder of the sprue after I cut it off. All the remains fall in a little tray I keep under the jig I'm sanding. Any rough marks left from the file, the powder paint will cover it to make a beautiful finish. Thanks Cadman, I just went and bought a file and a heat gun to replace my propane torch for heating. Back in the lab now, hoping for better results! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LimpNoodle Posted February 1, 2018 Report Share Posted February 1, 2018 I use gate cutters to remove the sprue and while cutting give it a twist. This results in a very clean sprue cut. If you're using wire cutters then the first thing to do is get some gate cutters. I use the Hakko CHP-170 which run less than $5 a pair on Amazon. I buy five pair at a time as I go through about that many in a year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yak_addict_785 Posted February 1, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2018 31 minutes ago, LimpNoodle said: I use gate cutters to remove the sprue and while cutting give it a twist. This results in a very clean sprue cut. If you're using wire cutters then the first thing to do is get some gate cutters. I use the Hakko CHP-170 which run less than $5 a pair on Amazon. I buy five pair at a time as I go through about that many in a year. Not sure on the brand but I did buy a pair of gate cutters, and your right they work much better than just twisting the sprue off. Hardly have to file the sprue mark at all now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLT Posted February 2, 2018 Report Share Posted February 2, 2018 I like the Xuron flush cutters. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
