My journey into the world of Lead pouring

I realize I'm resurrecting an older thread, but those look great!!!

I've poured balls and bullets for black powder, decoy weights, and even some 9mm bullets for reloading, but never jigs. I may have to dig out my stuff and buy a mold!!! Those look great.

I too have used tire weights, but it seems the lead ones are harder and harder to find.

One thing to remember about tire weights is that they are hard lead because of the tin in them.  Do not try to make split shots with tire wts. as they do not pinch down without pliers.  Been there, done that.  You need soft lead like what plumbers used to use for castiron pipe fittings.  This is also better for bullets as less chance to scour the barrels of your pistols or rifles.  I have the same jig mold, but have just dipped in paint for the colors.  Even this paint stays on well after bouncing off of rocks.

some more stuff i have been working on.  more flutter jigs and new speckled jigheads, as i wanted to be different from other producers.

also acquired a mold for 5,6, and 8oz ultra minnows.  did a few test spins with bucktail.  not sure if im going to be able to push out a lot of bucktails as they are very time consuming to make.  the tails i found have somewhat short fibers although they are from a large animal. 

does anyone know a place to buy/order larger (xl, jumbo) bucktails? tips would be much appreciated.

let me know what you guys think.

these products are for sale so please don't hesitate to ask. i can ship flat rate.

the 8oz ultraminnows are monstrous!

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some more stuff i have been working on.  more flutter jigs and new speckled jigheads, as i wanted to be different from other producers.

also acquired a mold for 5,6, and 8oz ultra minnows.  did a few test spins with bucktail.  not sure if im going to be able to push out a lot of bucktails as they are very time consuming to make.  the tails i found have somewhat short fibers although they are from a large animal. 

does anyone know a place to buy/order larger (xl, jumbo) bucktails? tips would be much appreciated.

let me know what you guys think.

these products are for sale so please don't hesitate to ask. i can ship flat rate.

the 8oz ultraminnows are monstrous!

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I work for a HVAC company and we make all of the roof flashing for new homes. I have about 3-400 lbs of soft scrap lead lying in a pile in the shop. It's pure lead, maybe a little tin, but WAY better than tire weights. I will make you the same offer as I made Scotty a few weeks back, I'll trade you lead for weights and jigheads. I already gave him 100 lbs. Shoot me a PM if you are interested. It's mutually beneficial, I also don't like buying weights and things, and I need to get rid of the scrap anyways. I garantee it's better quality than tire weights.

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some more stuff i have been working on.  more flutter jigs and new speckled jigheads, as i wanted to be different from other producers.

also acquired a mold for 5,6, and 8oz ultra minnows.  did a few test spins with bucktail.  not sure if im going to be able to push out a lot of bucktails as they are very time consuming to make.  the tails i found have somewhat short fibers although they are from a large animal. 

does anyone know a place to buy/order larger (xl, jumbo) bucktails? tips would be much appreciated.

let me know what you guys think.

these products are for sale so please don't hesitate to ask. i can ship flat rate.

the 8oz ultraminnows are monstrous!

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I work for a HVAC company and we make all of the roof flashing for new homes. I have about 3-400 lbs of soft scrap lead lying in a pile in the shop. It's pure lead, maybe a little tin, but WAY better than tire weights. I will make you the same offer as I made Scotty a few weeks back, I'll trade you lead for weights and jigheads. I already gave him 100 lbs. Shoot me a PM if you are interested. It's mutually beneficial, I also don't like buying weights and things, and I need to get rid of the scrap anyways. I garantee it's better quality than tire weights.

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San Jose is a little far, but I'm sure we could work it out.

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Bob, if you make something like the Kalin lead weight & grubs, I would line up and get some on a regular basis.  All my big lings have come from Kalins, so I am a big believer.  Glow/chartreuse is best.  They also have the Kalins at Fisherman Warehouse & Bass Pro Shop.

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Kalins_Big_N_Jig_/descpage-KBG.html
http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Kalins_Lunker_Grubs_10pk/descpage-KSLG.html

Also, a friend in the industry told me that in general, Tackle Warehouse has everything (I have no relation with them).

Here is some links for your mold source (if you don't know already):

http://anglingai.com/
https://www.enforcerbaitmolds.com/
http://ultramolds.com/

some finished pieces ready to hit the water.

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VERY nice, Bob!  Mind if I ask about what it would cost to get a beginner setup?  I love DIY stuff (as opposed to paying 10X at the store) so I've been thinking about pouring my own jig heads.  I have no clue what a jog mold would cost or if anything else is required to pour the lead - I have containers to melt it and process it safely outside...just think it'd be fun to pour some simple jigs and avoid paying a few bucks per snag 

Thanks!

VERY nice, Bob!  Mind if I ask about what it would cost to get a beginner setup?  I love DIY stuff (as opposed to paying 10X at the store) so I've been thinking about pouring my own jig heads.  I have no clue what a jog mold would cost or if anything else is required to pour the lead - I have containers to melt it and process it safely outside...just think it'd be fun to pour some simple jigs and avoid paying a few bucks per snag 

Thanks!

the items i discussed in the original post.  all can be had on amazon.  molds usually cost around 30-50 bucks depending on the style.  they usually come with a few different sizes.   then you got hooks and hardware. you save a lot of money if you go through a lot of gear.  but start up cost probably look at spending a couple hundred.  and consumable hardware,  for example would cost me about a buck for a 4oz jighead with paint.   as opposed to paying about 2.50-4.00 retail (that's if there's a store that sells it near you)

for me and the #of times i go fishing, and losing gear to snags, fish, etc. it paid off in about a year for just my usage.   but you can always sell to your friends to offset starting costs.

hope that helps

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Thanks Bob!  I hope this isn't too stupid of a question - if the molds are about $30-40, what is the remainder of the "couple hundred" startup costs?  I have a large charcoal grill that I was thinking to fire up to melt the lead (the grill would NOT be used for food after this) as well as high temp gloves, etc.  It seems the hardware would run maybe another $30 or so for hooks and loops, plus the cost of lead if I'm not able to find some for free.  I'm probably missing something obvious but I'd think it should only be around $100 or so for the mold and enough hardware for a few batches?

Thanks for the info!  I have a habit of losing tackle, getting frustrated, and then not going out again until I want to throw more money into the drink 

Do your self a favor and nix the charcoal grill lead melting scheme. Get a electric pot and make your life 8 billion times better. Your time has got to be worth something. I use a bottom pour lee pot but there are some cheaper ones available. I have another one that you ladle out of similar to this but without the pour spout I got at a yard sale for 25$ if you want it you can have it for what I payed . I tried all the diy options for melting lead but for the most part they are a pain in the ass and not worth the health risks . Here is my setup. I plug it in and then go do other stuff. All of a sudden it's ready!!!

Do your self a favor and nix the charcoal grill lead melting scheme. Get a electric pot and make your life 8 billion times better. Your time has got to be worth something. I use a bottom pour lee pot but there are some cheaper ones available. I have another one that you ladle out of similar to this but without the pour spout I got at a yard sale for 25$ if you want it you can have it for what I payed . I tried all the diy options for melting lead but for the most part they are a pain in the ass and not worth the health risks . Here is my setup. I plug it in and then go do other stuff. All of a sudden it's ready!!!

^x100 that pot he has is only about 70 on amazon closer to 100 every where else. Plug it in set your mold on top while it heating then pour a couple blank fills to heat the cavities. And your good to go.

Do your self a favor and nix the charcoal grill lead melting scheme. Get a electric pot and make your life 8 billion times better. Your time has got to be worth something. I use a bottom pour lee pot but there are some cheaper ones available. I have another one that you ladle out of similar to this but without the pour spout I got at a yard sale for 25$ if you want it you can have it for what I payed . I tried all the diy options for melting lead but for the most part they are a pain in the ass and not worth the health risks . Here is my setup. I plug it in and then go do other stuff. All of a sudden it's ready!!!

^x100 that pot he has is only about 70 on amazon closer to 100 every where else. Plug it in set your mold on top while it heating then pour a couple blank fills to heat the cavities. And your good to go.

Goodwill store for melting pans.   Cast iron skillets, less than 5 bucks.   I would buy a ladle.   Craigslist has a guy near Livermore who sells lead at a buck a pound.   I think the ingots are 20 lbs.   I bought for crab pot weights.  Made square weights with a 2x4 wood mold.

Nice job!!!


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