bassman843 Posted March 27, 2007 Report Share Posted March 27, 2007 what tools do you use to trim the extra lead off of your jigs.I used a pair of wire cutters and they really didn't make a very good cut.I had to touch up with a die grinder.I think I read about some at janns netcraft are they any good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDC Posted March 27, 2007 Report Share Posted March 27, 2007 Depending on what mold you are using, if the sprue is small enough where it meets the head you can just bend it back and forth and it will break. Then just smooth it over with and old pocket knife or something similar. I have the football jig, flateye jig, worm nose jig, and the 1/4-3/8 splitshot molds and do this with all of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dungeonhawk Posted March 27, 2007 Report Share Posted March 27, 2007 i bought a cheap bench grinding wheel to smooth the bottom of my stand up jigs, footballs etc. I use a dremil tool (with the hand tool add on) with jigs and spinnerbaits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly Posted March 27, 2007 Report Share Posted March 27, 2007 the cutters janns has are made to cut soft material you cant cut wire with them. but i have seen them in the electrical sec. in home depo. the cutter you are using have two cut edges on both sides. the lead cutters have only one making it flat on one side. most of your triming should be finished with the lead cutters. only once in a while will you want to use a knife or sand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akriverrat Posted March 27, 2007 Report Share Posted March 27, 2007 i havent had the chance to use gate trimmers. i am currently using a small set of side cutters and an end cutter to get closer. then i run a file over the cut to smooth it off. i use bigger molds so there is a little more lead involved. i have to get a dremel to smooth things off, sometimes the file gets old pretty quick. john Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadman Posted March 27, 2007 Report Share Posted March 27, 2007 I use the small gate trimmers and a file. It works well for me. I have yet to pour any jig that didn't need some touching up with a file. Especially when I cut the sprue. If you paint a jig that has an imperfection, you will notice it right after painting, and then it's too late. Maybe I'm just too picky. My jigs are as smooth as a baby's bottom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloomisman Posted March 27, 2007 Report Share Posted March 27, 2007 Depending on what mold you are using, if the sprue is small enough where it meets the head you can just bend it back and forth and it will break. Then just smooth it over with and old pocket knife or something similar. thats exactly what I do. only takes a second to trim the jig. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsinyard Posted March 28, 2007 Report Share Posted March 28, 2007 I use cadman's method. I cut the spur off with some gate cutters and smooth it off with a flat file. I tried using sand paper but the file is a lot quicker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassman843 Posted March 28, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2007 great info I think I will look for a pair of gate cutters and stick with my die grinder only took a couple of minutes to touch up 25 jigs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadman Posted March 28, 2007 Report Share Posted March 28, 2007 I will say this. If you intend on purchasing gate cutters, then take Kelly's advice. I do the same I only use my gate cutters for lead, and I've had them for going on 6 years. You will dent the cutting blades if you decide to use them for anything else. Then they will be useless. That's like using a screwdriver for a chisel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Dog Posted April 1, 2007 Report Share Posted April 1, 2007 buy a pair of side cutters at the dollar store and grind down the sides with a dremel so they are more sharp.......bingo~ $1 gate shears Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
