Just wondering how many of you do this?
I have a good bit of lead and a fish cooker that I think will work but that is all at this point.
I would like to make some of the bigger bank and egg sinkers. Thinking a variety of sizes from 5 oz up to 16 or so.
NN
07 23 Key West Twin 115 Yammys
Need more heat! A lot more…
quote:
Originally posted by DoubleNJust wondering how many of you do this?
I have a good bit of lead and a fish cooker that I think will work but that is all at this point.
I would like to make some of the bigger bank and egg sinkers. Thinking a variety of sizes from 5 oz up to 16 or so.
NN
07 23 Key West Twin 115 Yammys
Thanks Mike,
I will get what I need or if someone has what is needed to make the sizes I indicated I will be happy to provide the lead and work something out.
Would be cool to even make some jigs as well. I have some Jigskinz I can wrap them with.
I am talking about doing a bunch.
NN
07 23 Key West Twin 115 Yammys
Regarding the need for more/less heat…
I’ve poured hundreds of pounds of egg, pyramid, and other “custom shape” sinkers using the same 1200 watt single-element stovetop burner I got at Walmart years ago. It somehow survives without toasting the element… yet lol.
The trick is to use a small pot. I prefer a stainless steel pot personally.
If you find your fish cooker to be underpowered, use a smaller pot and don’t melt a ton of lead at once. Start small.
You’ll eventually find out just how much lead your unit can heat and keep molten.
I’d love to help you, and I have an egg sinker mold that does multiple sizes up to (I think, if I remember correctly) 1/8 oz up to 3 ounces. I probably still have my pyramid sinker molds laying around.
My favorite sinker is the pencil sinker. Really long, slender sinkers that you can trim to the perfect weight with wire-nippers or needle-nose. Really good for snaggy areas. I could show you in person how to do this but I’m a long ways from you in Summerville.
quote:
Originally posted by DoubleNJust wondering how many of you do this?
I have a good bit of lead and a fish cooker that I think will work but that is all at this point.
I would like to make some of the bigger bank and egg sinkers. Thinking a variety of sizes from 5 oz up to 16 or so.
NN
07 23 Key West Twin 115 Yammys
I have an official lead molting unit and some molds I will let you use in exchange for some jig heads. I am still using sinkers I made several years ago. My unit is electric.
Double N, I do this on my cooker, I have a cast iron pot and 28 oz bank sinker mold. I also make swordfish deep drop sticks that range from 8 - 15 lbs. PM me and I can give you some tips, just out of curiousity, did you buy my snapper riding mower?
quote:
Originally posted by Rose EllynDouble N, I do this on my cooker, I have a cast iron pot and 28 oz bank sinker mold. I also make swordfish deep drop sticks that range from 8 - 15 lbs. PM me and I can give you some tips, just out of curiousity, did you buy my snapper riding mower?
I thought that name looked familiar…Yes I did and it has been running fine.
Thanks everyone,
I will be in touch,
NN
07 23 Key West Twin 115 Yammys
Use what you have. It will do the job.
Made these using a regular propane burner and cast iron pot
JWS, some of my eyes on my sinkers don’t form all the way. I get my lead hot and heat my molds with a torch, any tips?
Theres kind of a sweet spot where the temperature gets just right. If the lead isn’t hot enough it will do that for me but when the temperature gets right I don’t have that problem as much. If they don’t end up worth a hoot I just toss it back in the pot. By no means do all mine come out perfect either. Only other thing I can tell you is that pouring the lead in the mold fast and efficiently is critical. I usually hold the mold over the pot and my buddy pours it in as soon as he gets it in the ladle.
I use a castiron frying pan with a pour spout on the side! Use tissue paper tubes as mould for deep drop sinkers with copper wire rings
just stop pouring when you think it is heavy enough. Used them for years in Costra Rica.
My dip spoon is a wood-handled metal soup ladle. Works great.
When I make egg sinkers, I have to get the mold roasting hot to work properly. Otherwise they come out deformed. If I had a torch handy to heat it up, I would.
quote:
Originally posted by Rose EllynDouble N, I do this on my cooker, I have a cast iron pot and 28 oz bank sinker mold. I also make swordfish deep drop sticks that range from 8 - 15 lbs. PM me and I can give you some tips, just out of curiousity, did you buy my snapper riding mower?
So, do you fish for swords?
NN
07 23 Key West Twin 115 Yammys
You can buy lead melting pots from Jann’s Netcraft, Lure Parts Online, Barlow’s etc. Please be advised to wear surgical gloves when handling a bunch of lead that has just been cast. You would be surprised at how much lead will be absorbed through your skin.
quote:
Originally posted by RADDADDYYou can buy lead melting pots from Jann’s Netcraft, Lure Parts Online, Barlow’s etc. Please be advised to wear surgical gloves when handling a bunch of lead that has just been cast. You would be surprised at how much lead will be absorbed through your skin.
Thanks Radaddy,
I am just going to look into getting a cast iron pot for my fish cooker to use. While looking around online I found a post that said if pouring molds more than 3oz. to use a ladle from a pot rather than an electric bottom release model. I am not sure why but perhaps it goes in to slow.
I recently had to replace a burner on one of my fish cookers and it “kicks it out” and should suffice for this. If not, I will back up and punt.
What I am thinking of doing is starting out making a bunch of ingots out of these larger pieces of lead as I actually have a good combination of bottom bumping weights.
I have a portable Millermatic wire welder so maybe I can weld some angle iron into an ingot mold.
All of the replies have been greatly appreciated,
If any of you around Bft have a small welding project going on you are welcome to use it. Within reason anyway:smiley:!
NN
07 23 Key West Twin 115 Yammys
Thanks for the tips, I have a cast iron pot with a handle and I ground a pouring spout. I grab the handle, clamp on a pair of vice grips and pour quick. I angle my large bank sinker a little, seems to help make the ring form better. NN, yes, I fish for swordfish, just sold my 20’ seacraft and got a 29 phoenix. Getting ready to pull it and go through it, hopefully, get it back in by cobia season.
Glen, I have en electric melting pot on a stand that has the pouring spout underneath so all you have to do is put the mold under it and lift the handle to let a small stream pour out. it works very well and i’ve poured hundreds of weights with it. If you are melting tire weights, i would use the cast iron pot and the burner to clean the lead and then pour it into a muffin pan to make ingots that you can use later in the melting /pouring pot. just be careful…one drop of water in melted lead and you’ll wish your never…
I also have a mold for the 6 and 8 oz bank sinker your are welcome to use. give me a call if you need them.
quote:
Originally posted by Sciaenops ocellatusGlen, I have en electric melting pot on a stand that has the pouring spout underneath so all you have to do is put the mold under it and lift the handle to let a small stream pour out. it works very well and i’ve poured hundreds of weights with it. If you are melting tire weights, i would use the cast iron pot and the burner to clean the lead and then pour it into a muffin pan to make ingots that you can use later in the melting /pouring pot. just be careful…one drop of water in melted lead and you’ll wish your never…
I also have a mold for the 6 and 8 oz bank sinker your are welcome to use. give me a call if you need them.
Thanks for everything, I got a pot, burner and ladle today. Your gonna have to see to believe. I will get with ya about the mold in the near future.
Also have been schooled by some folks about moisture and molten lead…BAD NEWS!
Thanks Again,
NN
07 23 Key West Twin 115 Yammys
quote:
Originally posted by FishinCoachI have an official lead molting unit and some molds I will let you use in exchange for some jig heads. I am still using sinkers I made several years ago. My unit is electric.
Hey Coach, do you have any Jighead molds? I ordered some Butterfly Jig molds today (4 oz) along with some other stuff but not jighead.
I guess if you had jighead molds you would not have asked but just checking.
I don’t need to borrow your smelting pot but will be glad to make you some jigheads if you have the mold.
NN
07 23 Key West Twin 115 Yammys