soft lead or hard lead????

saskcat420

New member
Joined
May 17, 2012
Messages
14
I am wondering what to use -soft or hard lead to do jigs. I have both kinds cleaned and have poured 400 soft lead heads.
 

CrappieHappy

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Feb 7, 2011
Messages
5,281
Location
Midlothian, TX
Really depends on the size jig your pouring. Soft pours better
For the smaller jigs. 1/64 and smaller will pour better with soft.

You could always mix in some hard with the soft and get a good pour as well.

I use soft lead , as that is all I have. I am sure some others with more experience will chime in
 

Fatman

Active member
Joined
May 1, 2011
Messages
10,525
Location
Northfield, Vermont
For jigs I've always preferred soft lead but now that we're not getting it free anymore you really just can't turn down free stuff when it comes along.

I tested all my molds pouring just tire weight lead - most of them 1/16th and up pour fine with it, some don't. Ballhead no collar I can get down to 1/32nd with no problem. When I pour 1/8 and up I try and use the tire weight - and I'll pour just the four slots in the 1/32 ball no collar.

Lately what I've gone to and works really well for me is a 2/1 (2 parts tire weight - 1 part soft) and with this mix I can pour every mold I have. I don't smoke my molds or use a release agent and I have a very small reject rate.

As Happy said and others who pour below 1/32nds they want the pure soft lead.

Make sure to mark your lead!!! Put a T for tire weight, P for pure, 2-1 on 2 parts hard/1part soft. Write on your mold handles or a small notebook what type works the best in each mold. If you get an over abundance of regular tire weights (NOT ZINC) - go on some reloading boards and trade them for pure lead - the guys there are always looking for them.

If you need any more info let us know and we'll help you out.

Fatman
 
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