Making sinkers

PK had expressed interest in a multi-cavity 3 oz. torpedo mould.  I saw these at Englund Marine for $38+tax.

Let me know if you want me to grab one for you, PK.

Eric

SJ Fisherman's Warehouse has them too.. Pretty pricey if you ask me. I heard of a local guy that Alan Tani uses to make molds. I bet he is cheaper.

How do you guys cut up lead into chucks small enough to melt?

I made some jigs awhile back and used a chisel to cut chunks off the brick, but it was kinda time consuming.

Of course I'm using a small ladle thing to melt the lead, (with a propane torch) and pour, which probably isn't the most efficient way to go about it...

I tried melting some right off the brick but it was futile.

I've never worked with it myself.

www.barlowstackle.com has those do-it molds $10 cheaper...

I've made a ton of teardrops over the years, but we always had the advantage of a VERY hot torch.  To cut chunks off of the ingot, I guess you could use a sawsall with a bi metal blade.  Maybe use a garbage can lid to catch all the shavings off the blade, they melt really easy!

Try using a can of mapp gas with your torch its hotter. Also if you get the lead fairly hot but not melted it will crumble if hit or bent.

 I used to use an old propane camp stove (outside) to melt recovered bullets.  I have the small lead pot, and ladel and ingot trays to creat ingots in 1/2lb and 1lb size. 

Try a tire shop for used wheel weights,

I used to make allot of my own bullets and wheel weights are not pure lead and they are a good alloy for bullets. Or anything else.

I use a thick unlined aluminum pot on a camp stove, OUTSIDE, not indoors, never use the pan again except for lead.

be patient, it really doesn't take that much heat if you're willing to wait a while for it to work.  If you get it too hot it will boil, that's not good.

after lead is melted the steel inserts will float, skim them off, then add a 1/2 teaspoon size piece of wax and stir, watch for spattering, and BE CAREFUL it may catch fire, IF IT DOES catch it will burn off harmlessly if you don't jerk and spill it. SO be ready for that.  This step will cause all the other crap to float and clump on the surface, skim that off. It really works. Now you have some really clean (bullet grade) ready to use molten lead.

Candle smoke makes a great release agent.

Delladl... OUTSIDE is an excellent point... WELL VENTILATED OUTSIDE is even better... If you happen to be a junk lead pack rat/collector, you need to be very carful.  Lead is used in a lot of nasty things (batteries and old light ballasts) so it is very possible that lead you picked up for free somewhere or the other, is contaminated with some dangerous/deadly stuff ie: PCB's  Just dont let smoke build up in the ol' garage while you are melting the stuff down!

Just saw this thread. Thanks Abking!
I actually got some good news from a fellow at the tire shop. I went there to ask about the tire weights. We had a conversation about making sinkers and he said that one of the employees used to make a lot of sinkers....but has since stopped, and he might have some molds for me...for FREE. I am supposed to go back there on Friday to meet w/the guy. I plan to offer him some RF, ling, cabbie, or salmon meat.
PK