Making Lead Jigheads,Sinker

[Starcraftguy1]

I bought a Lee Melter and a bunch of molds.I make everything,I have'nt boat a jighead of any size and weight,or slip sinkers,or bank sinkers in years.I want to know if there are other lead guys out there,that know how to make soft lead out of wheel weights.For split shots,I have the molds but the lead is too hard and they crack after a time or two of removing them from the line.Thanks

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Making Lead Jigheads,Sinker

I think wheel weights are made of an alloy of lead and antimony. The antimony makes them harder, but more brittle. I don't know if there is a way to deal with that for split shot or other more flexible applications. It's fine for regular sinkers and jig heads, though. Maybe you'll have to buy some lead just for split shot.

 

[beerfilter]

Re: Making Lead Jigheads,Sinker

I pick up all the sinkers I ever need , by walking popular bank fishing areas when the water is low . Every so often I'll break out my gold pans and pan for lead , just to keep in practice .
In most places I can recover 10 -20 pounds of sinkers in an hour or 2 .
A half day in such a place and you will have enough lead to keep you in split shots for many years .

I also recover lots of spent bullets and the occasional live round .
It is fun , especially when people ask you if you are realy finding gold .
I once told someone "yes , I find a little here and there .." , which started a mini-gold rush .

I returned 2 days later and there were muddy pits EVERYWHERE along the shore ! Of course the would be "prospectors" left the only real values in little piles next to their holes .
There is no gold for over 300 miles in any direction , from here ...

I walked away that day with over 150 pounds of sinkers , with no other work involved except scooping them up .
The best part is it was no even an intentional prank .

 

[Starcraftguy1]

Re: Making Lead Jigheads,Sinker

Does'nt anyone make thier own sinkers and jigs anymore?You can get the lead for almost free,if you look,and you will be self sufficent,is'nt this what Obama says to do?Stimulas guys.

 

[John_S]

Re: Making Lead Jigheads,Sinker

I did it years ago, but wasn't happy with results, but that was before powder paint was available. I use allot of jig heads, but not many sinkers. The sinkers used are mainly for drop-shotting. I buy both in fairly large quantities, that the price diff in neglagble to me. Also, lead is being phased out in many states, including NY.

 

[triumphrick]

Re: Making Lead Jigheads,Sinker

I bought a Lee Melter and a bunch of molds.I make everything,I have'nt boat a jighead of any size and weight,or slip sinkers,or bank sinkers in years.I want to know if there are other lead guys out there,that know how to make soft lead out of wheel weights.For split shots,I have the molds but the lead is too hard and they crack after a time or two of removing them from the line.Thanks

I find my lead at garage sales. On craigslist the garage sales with fishing gear can be searched and I targrt those starting on Fridays. My last find was about 40# of assorted sinkers for $5. They will be headed to the melter to make the egg sinkers we use on the off shore reefs for grouper, snapper, etc.

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: Making Lead Jigheads,Sinker

It is illegal here to use lead split shot.

But I have several friends with molds who make jig heads and even downrigger weights.

Some people do it and perhaps I should but it takes less time to buy a few when I am out and about. If I wasn't so hyper I would probably not be so busy and enjoy making me own lures...

 

[LongLine]

Re: Making Lead Jigheads,Sinker

Pure lead is very difficult to find nowadays. The antimony & other metals that are added are a pain in the backside. Pure lead weights are pretty easy to scratch up with another piece of metal. (a ball point pen should be able to put a decent groove in it) In order to melt the lead alloyed stuff, it has to be hotter. Clean your melting pot before you heat it. (good wire brush, even rough sandpaper) Make sure you get all the slag off the top of the molten metal before you pour. Also you have to get your mold warmer than you'd expect for a good pour. Try to slow the cooling down of your mold. I.E hit the mold with a torch as it's cooling. Pure lead anneals itself at room temperature, the alloyed stuff won't, hence it will go brittle.

Tom B.
(LongLine)