Big Epp Posted December 24, 2020 Report Share Posted December 24, 2020 I'm wanting to start pouring my own lead stuff. I'm wondering, have any of you vets used any lead alternatives with much success? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadman Posted December 24, 2020 Report Share Posted December 24, 2020 Yes, bismuth, tin and pewter are all do-able at home. Each have their own unique qualities and problems. They all pour at lower temps than lead. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
21xdc Posted December 24, 2020 Report Share Posted December 24, 2020 Bismuth is brittle and breaks easily... I'm fond of lead. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted December 24, 2020 Report Share Posted December 24, 2020 Moving away from lead is a good idea, get used to it because lead will eventually get a total ban. My CAD designed lures are based on steel balls, but I still have about10Lbs of soft lead sheet should I feel inclined to cut some wood. Dave 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jig Man Posted December 25, 2020 Report Share Posted December 25, 2020 I’ve had good luck with babbitt when I can find it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Wetline Posted December 25, 2020 Report Share Posted December 25, 2020 Big Epp, In 2012 Massachusetts prohibited the use of lead weights and jigs under 1 ounce and I've now become comfortable with several alloys. www.rotometals.com blends them and their service and shipping is excellent. The first I tried was their 281 alloy which is 58% bismuth/42% tin. The 281 refers to the melting temp and that's too low for a full cure with powder paint. When their Lead Free Bullet Casting Alloy Bismuth based became available I switched to that and, with a melting point of 395º, I cure powder paint at 325º for an hour. This finish passes my "bounce it off the loading dock test." One thing to remember with any alloy containing bismuth is that you must use mold release (Drop Out or other dry graphite spray) because bismuth expands as it cools. Set your Lee pot's dial at 3. https://www.rotometals.com/lead-free-bullet-casting-alloy-bismuth-based/ Although even more expensive than the no-lead bullet casting alloy, I wanted to try pewter. This is cake to cast - no expansion- although I still use Drop Out release spray on the mold. https://www.rotometals.com/alloy-ac-casting-pewter-ingot-92-tin-7-75-sb-0-25-cu-britannia-563f-650f/ I had also wanted to try casting with a ladle so I bought Lee's smallest open pot and their smallest ladle. I leave the other alloy in Lee's bottom pour Production Pot IV. https://barlowstackle.com/Lee-4-Lb-Lead-Melting-Pot-110-Volt-Model-P349/ https://barlowstackle.com/Small-Lead-Ladle-P354/ Ladling molten metal takes some practice but after a few dozen pours I had the hang of it - especially after spraying the ladle with Drop Out to keep it clean. Set the pot's heat adjustment dial at 7.5 for this pewter alloy. It's good to keep lead out of the environment. After 8+ years of alloys my wallet is thinner but production goes smoothly and loons still fly over my home waters. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
