The ULTIMATE sinker pouring guide for newbies !

[Lenny]

Some guys makes their own sinkers , like myself  .
This is a basic guide to help the new guys that has never poured sinkers , the aim with the guide is to give tips , and avoid 'accidents ' , and general Ideas .
I do think that I pour enough , to give a helpfull opion , but if anybody has tips or tricks , suggestions please add them .


What you will need .


Lead [ scrap yards is your best bet ]
Gas bottle , and Primus , any size will do .
Pot with lid [ a thick walled pot is beter as it retains heat beter]

[size=78%]Ladel or modified Soupspoon [see picture ] [/size]
[size=78%]you moulds , in this case that an 8 Ounce Grapnel.[/size]

[Lenny]

SAfety Management .


RULE NR 1 , water , dampness, and molted lead DOES NOT mix , keep you moulds and tools dry , when pouring, the heat of the lead , and the moisture explodes when combined in a mould cavity .
You can however use a bit of Babypowder , to 'lube' up your moulds.


2.Pigskin glove any heavy duty gloves will work , make sure they are thick , Its also worth it to buy a proper Welding Apron for more safety from dripping lead .
3.Only pour lead in a WELL VENTILATED area. You can DIE from leadfumes , get water on you brain ect .


4Also dont hang around the pot , if you are melting of dirty lead , you can [ however I will not advise it ] use a small amount of candle wax , the Lead oxide stick to the lead , but agian NOT to much , it will take light and you will have flames all over the show .
If its really dirty , you can wash it with Parafin , but make sure the lead is dry before you start melting.


You will need a few tools , notting hectic long nose , Side cutter , 3.5 mm drill bit , Flat punch [the last 2 are for Nylon Grapnels ]
TIP : when you struggle to get the lead to proper tempratures , switch of your gas , wait for it to cool down , remove your primus head , the part that Skrews into the head is a Brass fitting [called a jet ] Normal Cadac stockist have them , they are cheap , remove the nut , you will see it has a small hole [or should] replace it with a new Jet , and you will have enough heat , this is a common Problem with older primus , or in my case excessive use .
In this pic you will see the Jet .

[Lenny]

So now your ready to go , you have premade your small eyes [if your making Grapnels ]
Your are wearing your gloves , and Welding apron , your lead is melting , now close you pot , this helps getting to temprature quikly , and the dirt / oxcide will float to the top once the lead is at desired temprature , now using you ladel/ spoon you skimm the dirt of , if you dirt is stick to the sides , or the ladel , crank up the heat , you lead is too cold . So you have you mould in a vice / or in my case [see picture ]  I too a piece of plank welded four short strips sticking up form a flatbar , and connected cheap G clamps from Builder warehous to them . now you can pour a few at a time .


Once your moulds are nice and hot , you can turn down the heat a lil on the Primus , a good idea is to keep you first two or three in the mould for a Minute or two , that the heat can radiate into the mould .
From there you are good to go.
Take extreme care when handling the moulds , they get warmer quiker that you might think .


Happy Pouring !

[Lenny]

Any questions or suggestions ,feel free to add them or ask .


will post some pics of the other mould , sometime !

[Homie]

Great Tut Lenny !!!!

 

NEVER EVER use slops when pouring sinkers.....
 

Thankfully i managed to jump away in time !

[Lichia amia]

Nice report Lenny 
 
@ Homes - " NEVER EVER use slops when pouring sinkers " = Charlie,Hotel,Oscar,Papa 

[isivuba]

Awesome tut Lenny 

[REEFMAN]

  Lenny! Nominated for post of the Month.

[Lenny]

Lenny! Nominated for post of the Month.

Thank you guys !

[isivuba]

Lenny one question
when I pour the lead the lead reaches the top of the mould and gets hard and when the mould is opened I have half a sinker?

[Homie]

Mike, the lead and the mold is not hot enough. It's cooling too fast

[adam]

Shot Lenny.  Some helpful advice!   

[Lenny]

Lenny one question
when I pour the lead the lead reaches the top of the mould and gets hard and when the mould is opened I have half a sinker?
 

Just like Homie Said  , your lead and your mold is not hot enough , try   to crank up the heat , until the lead glides into the mould .once you   have poured a solid sinker , let the mold just stand for a few minutes   the Heat from the Lead must Raidiate/heat up , the Metal of the mold   .Once the mold is really hot , you can crank down the Gas Agian .You can   also us a bit of Baby powder to lube up the entrance of the mold.


OR , you want to pour to quik , then what happens , you create a airpocket and you end up with halves ect .


OR   you can , look at the hole where you pour the lead , sometimes that   hole is so small, that you need a really steady hand to pour your lead ,   you can use a Drill , and make the hole slightly bigger , I did a few   of mine , and it made a big improvement , I mean the holes are about2 mm   to  2.5mm , I would advise you not to go too big but a 2.8 mm or maybe    a 3 mm bit should make it a bit easier for you.

[John F]

Thanks Lenny! Great tut

I've been making sinkers since I was 7-8 years old.... would watch my dad and then try to replicate... needless to say all my "accidents" were some of my best kept secrets heheheh

To "lube" my molds I use vaseline. It helps to detach the sinker especially in those old molds (made out of putty or plaster) with a few craks etc..... works well ...

[strandloper]

Great Tut Lenny!!
 

[PH]

Thanks Lenny. 

[Lenny]

Thanks Lenny! Great tut

I've been making sinkers since I was 7-8 years old.... would watch my dad and then try to replicate... needless to say all my "accidents" were some of my best kept secrets heheheh

To "lube" my molds I use vaseline. It helps to detach the sinker especially in those old molds (made out of putty or plaster) with a few craks etc..... works well ...

Yes you can use any oilbased product , it not the first time I have hear of Vaseline . Thanks Jonhf .

[MIKE PIKE]

  ... great tutorial Lenny ,  .

[Big B]