jig making help

[apb]

The wax deal is sometimes used to provide a flux for the lead. If you are using clean stuff, it really is not necessary.

Andrew

[BGO]

I have been using a Lyman lead pot similar to what you are talking about for many years. They will get junk in the tube that plugs it up. First like already said, you need to skim off from the top of the lead all of the impurities that might be in the lead.

When mine plugs up I just unplug the tube while it's hot. What I do is heat the lead up somewhere safe in case it spills. I normally take mine outside to my barn. After the lead is hot I take a long piece of wire that I use to make spinner baits and bend it so it will clear the table of the pot. I use a pair of vise grips to hold the wire. Next I raise the handle on the pot that would allow lead to flow from the pot, at the same time I run the wire up into the tube from the bottom being careful not to let the lead burn me. It sometimes takes several times to work out the plug. I have always been able to unplug my pot by doing this.

Please use extreme caution while doing this. I wear leather gloves because some lead may splash as it comes out. Also put something under the pot to catch the lead when it unplugs.
I have found this to be safer than trying to pour out the lead. Either way please be careful and good luck.

[moutardier]

As far as it being clogged up the post above is what you need to do. From time to time imy pot will drip but its not stopped up, the plunger isn't sealing off. I keep an old metal ashtray under my spout to catch it when it drips. If if drips maybe once every 15-20 seconds no big deal. But when it drips faster I take needle nose pliers and turn the shaft from side to side. You cant turn it much because the handle is connected to this. Every time I do this it completely stops the drip. Alot of times immediatly after I make a pour I will do this. It only takes 4 or 5 seconds. Hope this helps, Ronnie

[elnutsmalljaws]

Where you at Billy Redneckshadrap, jig making are you kidding me. As Doc Holiday said in Tombstone, "Jig Making, Well that's just my game". Come on Billy chime in for we are all on pins and needles awaiting you to help tell us how to make that "Cloudy Sunfish".

Elnutsmalljaws
"Certifyable Floatnflyable"

[smuckey41]

thanks for all the replies, i will give this a try. but the led was soft led that comes in the bars from barlows tackle. can i use a close hanger to shuv through the spout or do i need a wire from a spinner or buzz. either way i will give it a try will report back and let you guys know. thanks again from everyone who wrote on here.

chuck

[cra97]

Please do cause I have had the SAME issue with mine and had no clue how to fix the dumb thing, so I just quit trying I probably should have taken the "fan idea" into consideration when I did mine, that may actually explain so of my problems though Good luck and call a brother when you get some time.

Rob

[UpaCrick]

Smuckey41- You can use a paper clip to clean out the pour spout. The large size is what works best for me. Just unfold it and leave one end bent at 90 degrees to insert into the spout to "wiggle" around.

I have the Lee 4-20 bottom pour and have found that it pours better when it is fairly full of lead vs. half-full or less. Also, getting the right temp is crucial as well. Full high heat isn't necessary. Another problem could be the fan you are using for the fumes. If it is too close to the lead pot, the breeze could be playing with the temp on the surface. Lee says not to use a fan to blow away the fumes, but I do as well. I just keep it about 10 or so feet away, and on low.

Hope some of this helps. There is quite a bit of trial and error in pouring.

UpaCrick

[kyjake]

I use the Lee 10 lb bottom pour pot and will give some opinions of how to avoid trouble with using.I never put wheel weights directly into the pot as the dirt and sand on them will cause problems with the pour spout.I have a larger cast iron pot that I melt the wheel weights in and clean them up and pour billets small enough to fit in the Lee pot.I never empty the clean up pot as there may be junk in the bottom that will effect the Lee's spout.Keep a screwdriver laying close to the Lee pot to give the a few twist if it starts to drip.Have never had to use anything to clean the spout.
Jake

[kc]

Ditto. Melting your lead down in a different pot and making "ingots" for your bottom pour pot helps keep the impurities out of the ingots hence out of your bottom pour pot. Another poster mentioned the bottom pour pot pours better more full than empty which is true. Plus I never pour all of the lead out of my Lee pot because dirt floats in melted lead and if you run the lead low that puts any dirt closer to the the spout. When I pour it down to about 1/3 full I add more ingots. Finally, even using the ingot trick every time I fire up the Lee some dirt will float on top and I scim it off and put it into an aluminum can that I cut the top off. I have had to clear out my spout with a spinner bait wire before but if you keep the dirt away from the spout you rarely have to do it.

kc

[smuckey41]

ok i got it un cloged and now it wont quit dripping till i un plug it i even tried adjusting the pour spout with a screw driver befor for i tried the wire to un plug it so i could have messed it up by doing it so now that i kinda got a clue on what i am doing i will proubly need to get a new pot. the thing is it pours a good streem but it wont stop dripping does any body know how to fix these things or a place to take them to be fixed in the louisville area so i wont have to buy a new one.

thanks
chuck

[zx150]

Give me a call 664-5921 Ryan.

[F16ENGMGR]

Smuckey41 I've used wheel weights for over 30 years. After they melt I make sure the crud is skimmed off the top. I bent a Colorado blade holding it with needle nose pliers and skim the surface then just smack it into a coffee can. The metal parts from the weights are easily removed. The only bad thing about them is they initially put off a lot of smoke. I never use wax or smoke the molds. I use 5-6 different molds and usually never have any problems. The main thing is don't open your lead pot until the lead is HOT. And make sure you keep it 1/2 to 3/4 full. I can count on 1 hand how many times it's fouled up on me. I use a spinnerbait wire .040 or as mentioned earlier a paper clip would work too. I got away from the electric handle ladle because the wire on the handle getting burning away. I found the production pot to be much easier. And while the pot is warming I place the mold on top of it.

And there is no safe way to pour lead out of your production pot.

Good Luck