"LEAD" MOLDS

[jaenswart]

Guys,

what can be used instead of lead for the molding of sinkers , baitswimmer and jigheads. Or is lead still the way to go

[John F]

While a few options have been tried, I think lead is still the cheapest ...

[jaenswart]

While a few options have been tried, I think lead is still the cheapest ...

I was thinking about the dangers of lead regarding cancer etc..and also trying to go greener

[RusticRainman]

http://www.clearlyoutdoors.com/fnimall/dr_drop_sinkers.phtml

[jaenswart]

http://www.clearlyoutdoors.com/fnimall/dr_drop_sinkers.phtml

So where does one get tungsten and how does one melt it I wonder if it is something that is available in powder form

[RusticRainman]

The main properties of interest for tungsten are:

·          Tungsten is the heaviest engineering material with a density of 19.25 g/cm3

·         It has the highest melting point of all metals at 3410°C

·         It has the lowest vapour pressure of all metals

·         It has the highest modulus of elasticity of the metals (E = 400GPa)

·         It is the hardest pure metal

·         Excellent high temperature strength characteristics

·         It has the highest tensile strength at temperatures above 1650°C

·         It has a low thermal expansion co-efficient (4.4x10-6 m/m/°C) similar to that of borosilicate glass, and therefore makes it useful for glass to metal seals.

·         It does not oxidise in air and needs no protection from oxidation at elevated temperaratures

·         Its corrosion resistance is excellent, and it is not attacked by nitric, hydrofluoric, or sulphuric acid solutions

[Sailor]

OK so we cannot use tungsten. What else? Iron/steel but then you need a lathe to turn them out. Iron will rust away in the sea and be enviro friendly. Also non toxic.

[jaenswart]

OK so we cannot use tungsten. What else? Iron/steel but then you need a lathe to turn them out. Iron will rust away in the sea and be enviro friendly. Also non toxic.

problem with iron is that it is just not heavy enough for most applications

[Fritz]

You can use white metal. But you still have to melt it and go thru the same procedure to cast. Not as heave as lead and costs a small fortune. Rather use it for making spoons and go back to the good old lead for your sinkers.

[Mudcrab]

Depleted uranium 19.1gm/cm3 

[RusticRainman]

http://www.chinatungstens.com/newEbiz1/EbizPortalFG/portal/html/ProductInfoExhibit.html?ProductInfoExhibit_ProductID=c373e91927678b3d8fea6125d89f5e86&ProductInfoExhibit_isRefreshParent=false&gclid=CL3j9_TArKQCFeh25Qod1lSZdg

[Sailor]

problem with iron is that it is just not heavy enough for most applications

It all depends how heavy you need your sinkers.
Look at this comparison. 4oz ball sinker   :  Tungsten   diameter   23.7mm
                                                           Lead                       28.21mm
                                                           Steel                       31.9mm
 
Difference between lead and steel not to bad. The longer your sinker is the less the difference in diameter will be.

[Stokstyf!]

Maybe coper can be used???

[Homie]

Depleted uranium 19.1gm/cm3 

Hahahahaha !!!!
That will be AWESOME !!!! After 2 years I'll have 4 hands, and can spin twice as fast !!!!

Maybe coper can be used???
 

Think it will be WAAAAY more expensive than lead ?