Making Deepsea sinkers

[Bassa]

Hi UA members


I came across a sinker mould kit at a local tackle shop for making Deepsea sinkers, the mould consists of 4 different sizes which makes it ideal as one can make 4 different sizes in one go


Has Any UA members on the group used this kind of mould or have made their own SINKERS ?


I do have some  lead lying at home, thinking I could save a few pennies by making my own sinkers


Awaiting positive feedback
Thanks

[Drago]

Mould is ok .

You need two larger clamps for each side . Then you need to secure it in a correct upright position.
We used gas burner to melt lead in a small wok ( scoop out dirt and debris with table spoon) . Most important is to heat up mould before pouring in, in order to get lead to flow all the way down. So you need gas blow torch for that.

[Bassa]

Mould is ok .

You need two larger clamps for each side . Then you need to secure it in a correct upright position.
We used gas burner to melt lead in a small wok ( scoop out dirt and debris with table spoon) . Most important is to heat up mould before pouring in, in order to get lead to flow all the way down. So you need gas blow torch for that.

Thanks
I will definitely be going  ahead to buy this mould


I will update and upload pics once I start making some sinkers, BTW  those sinkers you made look great 

[ianf]

Hi Bassa, I have been making sinkers for years. I make mostly the pregnant belly spoon sinkers, as there are no clamps and no blow torch required. One mould can be used for various weights, simply by changing the angle of the mould. I also do wire grapnel sinkers but these are more complicated.
As Drago said, a small pot or wok on a gas stove is sufficient to melt the lead. Try to get clean lead as it give off less smoke / fumes (I use dive belt weights that I buy at the Cash Converter / second hand shops), as opposed to melting down an old car battery. An old spoon will work well to remove the dross that will float to the top.
Work in a well ventilated area, and wear a mask(you should be used to that by now). Wear closed shoes.....molten lead on your foot would not be fun if you spilt a bit. Use leather gloves.
I weigh the sinkers on my wife's kitchen scale and stamp them, so I know exactly what I am getting out of the box when I am fishing
Have fun
IanF

[Bassa]

Hi Bassa, I have been making sinkers for years. I make mostly the pregnant belly spoon sinkers, as there are no clamps and no blow torch required. One mould can be used for various weights, simply by changing the angle of the mould. I also do wire grapnel sinkers but these are more complicated.
As Drago said, a small pot or wok on a gas stove is sufficient to melt the lead. Try to get clean lead as it give off less smoke / fumes (I use dive belt weights that I buy at the Cash Converter / second hand shops), as opposed to melting down an old car battery. An old spoon will work well to remove the dross that will float to the top.
Work in a well ventilated area, and wear a mask(you should be used to that by now). Wear closed shoes.....molten lead on your foot would not be fun if you spilt a bit. Use leather gloves.
I weigh the sinkers on my wife's kitchen scale and stamp them, so I know exactly what I am getting out of the box when I am fishing
Have fun
IanF

Thanks ianF


Really helpful info from the above

[Bassa]

Sinker making

[Bassa]

Sinker making

[Bassa]

Ok, I got down to making some sinkers

*I used an old frying pan that I found lying in the garage to melt the lead
* a basic blow torch
*Table with a bench vice to hold together the mold
*PPE - mask,  safety glasses, workers boots and welding gloves
*Large metal spoon to stir and remove surface dirt from the lead

I melted down some old pyramid sinkers that I don't use anymore from surf fishing as well as scuba diving weights

Once you melt the lead, pour it into the mold, let it sit for a few seconds and then remove, cut off the tag end joining the two sinkers by separating it with a side cutter

I made a total of 25  sinkers most of which were 8 oz /10 oz and 16 oz
I didn't make any 24 oz as I found it to be too heavy for shallow bottom fishing

All in all it was a great exercise and I really enjoyed it, for doing it for the first time

Thanks

[Umpa Lumpa]

We make our own sinkers, also have two moulds with different weights, would actually prefer one mould that can pop out three or 4 sinkers with same weight at once, personally. If you have a mould and lead go for it, way cheaper than tackle shops.

[Lenny]

A vice works .


But a vice grip works better .


I have been pouring lead for years , you can use baby powder , to lube the mould , or my favorite , burn the inlets , with a candle , that they are black.


Pending on wher you shop , you will more than half your lead costs , even with gas , and labour .


Shops , know it’s a consumable , they ask what they want .


Be careful , and have a look I have a thread somewhere , with some tips .

[REEFMAN]

Here's Lenny's thread on making sinkers...

http://www.ultimateangling.co.za/index.php?topic=12610.0

[ianf]

Was chatting to a guy who has a yachting business last week. He was looking for lead to do a keel for a yacht he bought. He told me scrap lead was selling at R22 a kilogram. No wonder sinkers are so expensive!!!