Jig Man Posted December 21, 2018 Report Share Posted December 21, 2018 (edited) I have made a mold from RTV silicone to make this bait. I have tried a few different hooks. They all move around in the lead. I have tried using floral wire and passing it through the hook eye and winding it around the hook shank. A bit of help but still too much wobble. A wide gap worm hook moves less but still is loose. If I took the time to epoxy the wires to the hook, would the epoxy hold up to the hot lead and keep the hook from moving around. Got any other ideas please toss them out. Edited December 21, 2018 by Jig Man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted December 21, 2018 Report Share Posted December 21, 2018 Have you tried using flux. It sounds like the lead is repelling the hook. I think a light rub with 400 grit and flux dip might improve the situation. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jig Man Posted December 21, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2018 (edited) Nope I haven't. Had not even considered it. I will put that in my list of things to try next time I am in the shop. What would you recommend as the flux. Thanks. Edited December 21, 2018 by Jig Man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted December 21, 2018 Report Share Posted December 21, 2018 I am not in touch with flux technology. The last time I used it, was a tin of paste. I was working with brass parts at the time. Basically it cleans and wets the surfaces allowing a better contact. Definitely worth a try. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted December 21, 2018 Report Share Posted December 21, 2018 Another consideration; hooks often have some kind of coating that prevents corrosion, as finely tempered steel is far from corrosion resistant. Try burning off this enamel type coating. BUT, be careful not to apply too much heat that the temper of the steel is altered. Basically, if the hook glows, you have blown it. Dipping in molten lead followed by some scraping prior to putting in the mold with flux. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlaery Posted December 21, 2018 Report Share Posted December 21, 2018 I would use hard lead, My preference would be something harder than wheel weights. something with 4% antimony. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jig Man Posted December 22, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 22, 2018 3 hours ago, dlaery said: I would use hard lead, My preference would be something harder than wheel weights. something with 4% antimony. I have some old printers lead around. I might give it a try. Got to find something that works as 5 of us will be using these things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlaery Posted December 22, 2018 Report Share Posted December 22, 2018 that usually has 10% or more antimony. I would use itv60-40, 60 soft lead 40 printers lead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
21xdc Posted December 22, 2018 Report Share Posted December 22, 2018 Heat the hooks and parts with a halogen light up close... Not LED... The cold parts make the lead shy away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jig Man Posted December 22, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 22, 2018 So I cleaned the hooks with acetone, sanded the area to be covered with lead, heated the hooks, and used a semi hard lead mixture. It worked like a charm. The hooks are tight. Now if I can figure out how to fish it I'll be in tall cotton. Thanks for the ideas guys. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
