Markell Posted September 18, 2003 Report Share Posted September 18, 2003 O.K., I got my molds in and I am having a hard time pouring the smaller pieces. My question is this... I bought 10 lbs. of lead from a plumbing supply store. Thinking that it would be soft pure lead. When I try to scratch it with my fingernail it seems hard. Where can I get some real pure lead to see if this is my problem? Also, Is the finger nail test a good indication to use before buying it? I am thinking that the large ingots might seem harder than they really are. Thanks for all your help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coley Posted September 18, 2003 Report Share Posted September 18, 2003 First of all what do you call a small piece?? What are you heating your lead in?? If I know the answer to these questions, I can probably help you. Coley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercury Posted September 18, 2003 Report Share Posted September 18, 2003 I buy cold shot now and again, 25# is about 12.00. Pick it up from any place that has shot gun reloading stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markell Posted September 19, 2003 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2003 Coley, I am having problems with the do-it buzzbait mold (1/8 - 1/4 oz.) I am heating my lead in a hot pot 2. I have tried pouring several times without wires to heat the mold then pour with the hook and wire. I have had good results from the Hilts bullet weight molds. The opening seems to be larger in my hilts molds. I have tried slow steady pours and fast steady pours with the do-its. When I first received my hot pot, I melted down all my lead and made a bunch of smaller pieces that would be easier to work with. I know that I mixed hard lead with soft lead when I did this. Thanks for your help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coley Posted September 19, 2003 Report Share Posted September 19, 2003 You can try smoking your mold with a candle. I pour 1/8 oz. stand up spinner jigs, that have a hook and crane swivel in them with no problems. I have never used a hot pot, I always use a heavy alum pan (alum. melts at 1220 F) almost twice that of lead. I use my fish cooker burner for heat. I make 3 pours in the mold to get it hot, let it sit a minute with the lead in so it can asorb the heat. I get my lead really hot, it takes on a purple haze. You might use a dremel to make pouring hole larger, go slow. Coley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dtrs5kprs Posted September 19, 2003 Report Share Posted September 19, 2003 Coley's right on. Smoking the mold will take care of most problems. If still having difficulties I would look at pouring temp next...find spinnerbaits/buzzbaits pour better at higher temps using a production pot. Think the lead has a tendency to cool around the hook eye and wire form, causing problems if you are pouring at a low temp. Somewhere around 7-9 works well for me with Lee pots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Celticav Posted September 19, 2003 Report Share Posted September 19, 2003 I think Coley hit it head on. I like to smoke mine with kitchen matches, I think the soot is "sooty-ier" if that makes sense, but it does sound like your flow is the problem and smoking the mold will help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Splash Posted September 19, 2003 Report Share Posted September 19, 2003 On one of my do-it molds I pour from a hieght of about 1" above the spru hole- that solved the problem for me. I also pre-warm the wire for spinnerbaits by laying them near the heat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassReeper Posted September 19, 2003 Report Share Posted September 19, 2003 Hey Markell. You can get good lead from the Bass Pro shop. Had the same problem and the lead does make a diff. ONe thing I noticed with mine is with the smaller pours it doesn't run in as fast so it maybe cooler. Make sure the mold is very hot. Pour several trial pours. Also you can heat the hook with a lighter and that will help. After so many pours it will get easier. Good luck. Reeper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markell Posted September 20, 2003 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2003 I fixed my problem. I had been smoking the mold before hand so that was not it. Out of frustration I got out the Dremel. I made the pour holes a tad bigger and it works perfectly. I get good results each time now. On a side note... I walked in to a sporting goods store today looking for lead. This place has a indoor shooting range and they get about 1000 pounds of lead build up each month. They sell it by the bucket full (bout 100 lbs) for $10. There are a lot of brass casings and wads but the price seems to be right. Thanks for the help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Celticav Posted September 20, 2003 Report Share Posted September 20, 2003 Cool, got that flowing now and found some super cheap lead, that stuff will clean up nice too. JIM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gr8flyz Posted September 20, 2003 Report Share Posted September 20, 2003 I had some of the same problems with Do-It molds, and used some of the same fixes. Since you're using the Hot Pot, lay your mold across the top of it while it's heating up & whenever you have to take a break, this will help heat the mold initially, & then keep it hot. Just be sure the wooden handles are not against the Hot Pot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basskat Posted September 21, 2003 Report Share Posted September 21, 2003 I can pour spinnerbaits and buzzbaits out of just about any type lead. I even use tire weights. It doesn't take a soft lead for these. The only thing I use pure lead on is pinch-on weights. I do agree that the pure lead is a little easier to work with. I have to melt tire weights down outside on my fish cooker, clean all the trash off it, then pour it into peices that will fit into my production pot. I think the real secret is a hot, smoked mold. Also tilt the mold a little, this helps get all the air out as the lead flows in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
