Jig Man Posted August 31, 2003 Report Share Posted August 31, 2003 I received 8 lbs of Babbit as a gift and am trying to make spoons. I can get plumber's and printer's lead to pour but not babbit. What can I do???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Splash Posted September 1, 2003 Report Share Posted September 1, 2003 Have you tried smoking the mold with the soot from a candle? How about using a little wax in the lead as a flux? Skim off the top of the pot regularly. Are you using a laddle, or a production pot with a bottom spout? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jig Man Posted September 1, 2003 Author Report Share Posted September 1, 2003 I am using a production pot. I have it on the highest setting. I have had it heating for over 2 hours and it still won't pour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mylures Posted September 1, 2003 Report Share Posted September 1, 2003 Hi Jigman, The first thing I would do is to check the spout on your melter to see if it is clogged. I don't know what is all in Babbit but I think it is alot harder than just lead. I used to use wheel weights which had alot of crud in it. When I melted it down, I would have to skim alot of garbage off the top so it poured nice. If you have it as high as it goes I think you should have no problem melting it. Does regular lead melt and pour OK? Sure hope this helps out. Ken Schmitz Mylures Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coley Posted September 2, 2003 Report Share Posted September 2, 2003 Hey JigMan, There are several different grades of babbit. The two that I know anything about are Textile and Genuine. Textile melts at 460 F and pours at 630 F Genuine melts at 460 F and pours at 800 F I would guess you have Genuine the way it acts. Coley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trollfish Posted September 2, 2003 Report Share Posted September 2, 2003 I have poured spoons and jigs with babbit, but I have never been able to do it with my Lee Production pot. It has a lot of tin in it for use in making bearings for lathes and table saws. When I used it, I had a cast iron pot over some wood fire and a ladle. My father the carpenter was none too happy about me using it either. Try a ladle and a pot over a fire to get the heat you need, it will pour. Watch the temp of your molds when working that high a temp, it can warp them a little. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jig Man Posted September 3, 2003 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2003 Trollfish, Thanks for the tip. I have a fish cooker, a castiron pot and a ladel. I am getting ready to try it this afternoon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Celticav Posted September 3, 2003 Report Share Posted September 3, 2003 That should melt it, JIM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jig Man Posted September 3, 2003 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2003 Trollfish, That was very good advise. I just melted the babbitt down and poured 5 dozen spoons. Does babbitt tarnish like lead??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trollfish Posted September 4, 2003 Report Share Posted September 4, 2003 Glad it worked for you, very nice looking pour. From experience, Babbit will oxidize just like any lead if left exposed. I usually don't care because I don't paint my jig heads. My favorite soft plastic color is smoke, and tarnished heads fit with my bait color nicely. Could be I'm lazy too.LOL Pour em, use em, usually lose em is my routine. You can clear coat fresh pours with a clear laquer(sp?) or clear powder coat. I like the powder coat cause you can take the lure straight from the mold and it is hot enough to dip right then and there. Then put them in the oven for 2-3 hours at 250 deg and it bakes to a hard clear finish. Not sure what the name of what I use is but I can get to you with it tommorow. They sell it at Netcraft.com. Cool Stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
