Pouring for the first time.

[AndyLane]

I think I'm going to get the chance to pour some 1/8th jigs this weekend. This will be my first time. I do have one question. Should the mold be heated up before the first pour? I was thinking that someone had told me that once but not sure. Any advice is welcomed.

 

[Makokeith]

Yes it should be heated up. Sometimes I pour a couple times with no hook to warm it up fast.

 

[CrappieHappy]

Yes it should be heated up. Sometimes I pour a couple times with no hook to warm it up fast.

This is what i do as well!

 

[Bkabina]

If the mold isn't warm enough when you start you might get incomplete pours. It would be best to pour a half dozen or so times with an empty mold. I pour the heads without hooks first and don't really use the warming chamber on the do-it molds.

Be safe and take your time. It won't take long to figure out your own style and techniques, and you will be able to pour a bunch in no time.

 

[smalljaw]

I put my mold on top of the pot when I get ready to pour, as soon as I plug the pot in I have the mold on top cracked open a bit and I leave it there until the lead is melted. Once the lead is melted I'll pour 3 times in each cavity to make sure it is hot enough and then I begin, I also make sure my hooks are out and in a place that doesn't allow them to get cold as a cold hook can cause problems and the hook doesn't need to be hot, it just needs to be room temp.

 

[Fatman]

Yep heat up your lead and pour 3-4 times with no hooks. You should be all set to go. Just be careful wear protection (long pants/sleeves, heavy gloves and eye protection)

Let us know how it goes!!!

 

[Hawnjigs]

1/8 is a good starter size. Small heads can get finicky about proper alloy. Light wire hooks generally don't cause problems, but big heavy wire hooks in small castings sometimes need to be heated for full cavity fill out.

If a cavity doesn't pour right, just skip it. Some of my molds have a cavity, mostly at either end of a row, that tend to pour incomplete castings. Spike barb collars in particular.

 

[AndyLane]

Thanks for the tips and advice everyone. If time doesnt get away from me this weekend I'm gonna give it a shot. I've been itchin to pour some but I cant pour at my house. I have to do it in the shop at the farm but lately I've been either snowed in or busier than Mustard tryin to Ketchup.

 

[plateboater]

I also light candle and run the mold holes over the top of the flame to get carbon build up. Does make jigs come out easier.

 

[Fatman]

Never understood why anyone does the soot thing from a candle. I've never had a problem, so maybe I'm just lucky.

 

[JSC]

Doug Said "Never understood why anyone does the soot thing from a candle. I've never had a problem, so maybe I'm just lucky."

Doug you have been "Lucky" ... I have used the candle but "Mold Release" (I am not at the house so I can't get the name & the Gray Cells are not responding to the request for the name) is the best ..... I place my hooks "Spread Out" in a flat pan with a 60 Watt bulb about 15" from it .... Pre heat some .. not all as each mold is an "Individual" and has its own personality ..... Keep a good pot of lead for plenty of "Head Pressure" You may have to "Mess" with the heat as well to get it right .... Different mixtures of lead pour differently ... Have fun and be SAFE.
Oh Jea FLUX !!!!!!!!

 

[plateboater]

Poured about 10,000 walleye jigs over the last 5 years (without candle). Watched a walleye pro-circuit guy on youtube pouring lead and showed the idea. Since that time you can tell how they pop our easier. I also pour a connecting stip of lead across the top of do-it to make it easier also. So between the soot and the stip across the top connecting all spru holes it makes easier to remove. Give it a try.