making jigs

[Horseshoe]

I'm interested in make my own leadhead jigs. I was wondering what kit or product is the best for a beginner. I would also like to know where to buy hair and paint for hair jigs. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Horseshoe

[Lund_Dude]

I pour all my own jigs. You can buy a starter set from Bass Pro (and I am sure others) that has a melting pot, a mold with multiple jig sizes, hooks and lead. Once you get into this a bit, you can buy molds for most types of sinkers and jigs. YOu can also upgrade the melting pot to the "production" pot, it will save on your wrists if you pour a lot of jigs. I would also start using the powder paints, they are much nicer to work with than the vinyl paint and the results are better. Good Luck and let me know if you have any questions!

[Roscoe]

Check out Jann's netcraft. they have items for making just about any lure/rig/jig you could think of, and they have excellent prices and customer service. I believe they have a website at www.netcraft.com, if not do a search, and it will come up right away. Order a catalog, since the site doesn't have all the items they sell. Good fishing!

[EYESON]

IF YOU ARE SERIOUS ABOUT THIS SAVE THE MONEY AND BUY THE LEE PRODUCTION LEAD POT. BASS PRO HAS IT FOR 49.99 IT IS 11.00 MORE THAN THE LADEL TYPE AND YOUR JIG POURING WILL BE MORE ENJOYABLE. IF YOU END UP NOT MAKING YOUR OWN JIGS YOU CAN ALWAYS SELL THE POT ALOT EAISER THAN THE LADEL.

[Surgen]

I agree with Lund Dude. I went from the old "cast iron pan on the propane stove" method to the production pot this year. I thought about the lead melting pot, but for $10 more, I could have the production pot. I can pour jigs at least 10 times faster and countless times safer. I also use the powder paint. It works well and it's fast, but it doesn't give the beautiful results that the vinyl paint does. There are kits available at Fleet Stores, Cablelas, Bass Pro, but I'd get set up with the components you want to buy. Take a look at one of those kits and buy the stuff that's included. I think you'll spend you money more wisely and get better results. Don't forget a small fan to exhaust your fumes and NEVER melt lead in a closed area. Good luck.

[Riceburner]

Word of caution also---Be VERY Careful to do the work with lead in a well vented area--you do not want to breathe the fumes--very dangerous.--and do not get any liquid near the molten lead--will errupt like an explosion--even a piece of scrap lead that is damp is dangerous--Not trying to scare you--but a few dollars saved is not worth your health or sight.

[John in MN]

You must be sure to melt the lead and pour the jigs in a very, well ventilated area. Lead vapors are extremely toxic. I would suggest getting a respirator with filters specifically designed for lead vapors.
As for paint, go with the powder paint. It works great and very easy to get multi-colored jigs.

[John in MN]

You must be sure to melt the lead and pour the jigs in a very, well ventilated area. Lead vapors are extremely toxic. I would suggest getting a respirator with filters specifically designed for lead vapors.
As for paint, go with the powder paint. It works great and very easy to get multi-colored jigs.

[Steve W.]

ALWAYS wear safety glasses when working with molten lead. Even slightly damp lead will explode, I have the scars to prove it and so do some of my friends. Your sight isn't worth losing to save a few bucks on jigs.

[Beaver]

I`ve been making my own jigs for over 25 years and one of the most important thing I learned is use Do-It molds. They are the best by a long shot. The big wooden handles on them keep the heat off of your hands. I`m still using ones I bought twenty-plus years ago. Barlows Tackle has a good selection of molds and hooks. I believe they have an on-line catalog. I live in S.E. Wis. and get alot of my jig making and tying supplies from Reinke Bros.414-383-5591, they`ve got all you`ll need and I beleive they have a catalog.

[Skeeter Boy]

A little tip for the powder paint.If you can find an old toaster oven to use (the little women frowns on the kitghen oven) bake the jigs for 20 or 30 minutes after the paint has set up and they will be bulletproof. You'll have a hard time even chipping one. Skeeter Boy

[Badfish]

If you do bake your jigs, make sure they hang from the racks, don't try to lay them on anything, the paint will goop up on the side they are laying on. Guess I learned this one the hard way.

By the way, anyone know where to get lead in the St. Cloud, MN area?

[FJH1]

I've tried powder paints before and always have problems clearing the hook eyes. Every time I use my "eyebuster" it ends up shattering the paint on the jig head. The powder paints also seem more apt to shatter off of the jig when an errant cast hits a bridge piling or rip rap. Much to my wifes chagrin I tried the toaster oven trick to see if it would make a difference and I still had the same results. Personally I still prefer the vinyl paints. I cast several hundred jigs per winter and if I'm doing something wrong with the powder paints please enlighten me.

Best Regards,

FJH

[FJH1]

John, I agree with the respirator idea, I've been using one for several years now. It is a very good precaution. Personally I took it a step further, I set up a hood over my casting table that draws fumes up and out out of the workshop, works great when painting as well - it really gets rid of the fumes. I've heard that lead isn't really isn't a problem at the temperatures we are melting it at. The bigger problem is not washing your hands afterwards. This is also really important if you have little kids around the house. Don't pour jigs then touch things (door knobs etc.) without washing your hands thoroughly. Kids hands always seem to go to their mouths and you don't want them ingesting lead.

Best Regards,

FJH

[wolfman]

i also use powder paint and it is great. the trick
to keeping the eyes clean is to not paint them.
take a pair of old needle nose pliers and grab the
jig by the eye when you paint them and you won't
ever paint an eye shut again.

[Rags]

I use a paper clip heated with a propane torch til red and push through the eye, like going through butter. Makes a nice neat hole too.

[wolfman]

one more note on powder depending on which brand
of powder you are using you have to bake them
at 350 for 10-15 minutes or so and the paint is
so hard you can smash the jig with a hammer and
the paint stays on.