I have been doing some pretty extensive research on making my own lead weight molds and molds for spoons/jigs. There are 3 types of molding mediums out there.
Plaster of Paris
Silicone
Sand Casting
All of these mediums have their own unique properties and their problems but all are also readily available to the average person. Sand Casting is the only medium you can RE USE..
Plaster of Paris is easy to mix and use and is excellent for one piece or 2 piece molds but it has its issues.
AIR BUBBLES IN FINISHED CASTS...........Plaster of Paris requires MIXING.......Mixing can cause air bubbles and air bubbles can ruin a cast.
LONG TERM DURABILITY............................The simpler the cast item is, the longer the cast lasts. Things like sharp corners or fine detail are not your friends here. I am looking into a way to better stabilize the final mold so it lasts longer. This Rigid mold material is prone to chipping and cracking.
DRYING...............................................................Your mold MUST BE CURED before use and TOTALLY DRY every time you use it....DANGER DANGER DANGER.
Silicone Molds are easy to make. Simply mix Silicone Caulk with Corn Starch or Baby Powder until it stiffens to a modeling clay type of consistency before use. Silicone Molds also have their issues as well BUT they can take finer detail casts than Plaster of Paris.
THE STINK..........................................................THERE IS A VERY STRONG ODOR OF VINEGAR WHEN MIXING........PROPER VENTILATION MANDATORY
AIR BUBBLES IN FINISHED CASTS............You knead the Silicone.....This can cause air pockets that can ruin your cast.
LONG TERM DURABILITY.............................The Molding Material is Flexible it will crack eventually.
PRE_HEATING....................................................NECESSARY and not as easy to do as it is with Plaster of Paris.....If the mold is not heated fine detail will often be lost during casting.
Sand Casting.............The finer that sand you use the better the cast you will get. Sifting the sand to remove larger particles HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.....This is one of the easiest methods for casting Pyramid Sinkers. Casting is done in DAMP SAND.........WATER + MOLTEN LEAD= BAD...........So extreme care must be taken when casting that the sand is DAMP and there is not a puddle of water about to come into contact with MOLTEN LEAD.......Some use used cooking or motor oil instead of water.....I HAVE NEVER TRIED THAT....THIS MEDIA CAN BE RE USED OVER AND OVER.........PROBLEMS.....
LEAD AND WATER...........................................It can be EXPLOSIVE
NO FINE DETAIL...............................................If you are making pyramid sinkers it doesn't matter
The only reasons I am going to try these methods is that I AM CHEAP.......I like to make stuff......and it will allow me to make sinkers and maybe micro spoons that are 100% unique to me and made for my style of fishing.......
I will post updates as they become available
LET THE GAMES BEGIN
PLEASE NOTE........I DID NOT INCLUDE WOOD MOLDS.....BEEN THERE.........DONE THAT..........NEVER AGAIN.......
Plaster of Paris
Silicone
Sand Casting
All of these mediums have their own unique properties and their problems but all are also readily available to the average person. Sand Casting is the only medium you can RE USE..
Plaster of Paris is easy to mix and use and is excellent for one piece or 2 piece molds but it has its issues.
AIR BUBBLES IN FINISHED CASTS...........Plaster of Paris requires MIXING.......Mixing can cause air bubbles and air bubbles can ruin a cast.
LONG TERM DURABILITY............................The simpler the cast item is, the longer the cast lasts. Things like sharp corners or fine detail are not your friends here. I am looking into a way to better stabilize the final mold so it lasts longer. This Rigid mold material is prone to chipping and cracking.
DRYING...............................................................Your mold MUST BE CURED before use and TOTALLY DRY every time you use it....DANGER DANGER DANGER.
Silicone Molds are easy to make. Simply mix Silicone Caulk with Corn Starch or Baby Powder until it stiffens to a modeling clay type of consistency before use. Silicone Molds also have their issues as well BUT they can take finer detail casts than Plaster of Paris.
THE STINK..........................................................THERE IS A VERY STRONG ODOR OF VINEGAR WHEN MIXING........PROPER VENTILATION MANDATORY
AIR BUBBLES IN FINISHED CASTS............You knead the Silicone.....This can cause air pockets that can ruin your cast.
LONG TERM DURABILITY.............................The Molding Material is Flexible it will crack eventually.
PRE_HEATING....................................................NECESSARY and not as easy to do as it is with Plaster of Paris.....If the mold is not heated fine detail will often be lost during casting.
Sand Casting.............The finer that sand you use the better the cast you will get. Sifting the sand to remove larger particles HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.....This is one of the easiest methods for casting Pyramid Sinkers. Casting is done in DAMP SAND.........WATER + MOLTEN LEAD= BAD...........So extreme care must be taken when casting that the sand is DAMP and there is not a puddle of water about to come into contact with MOLTEN LEAD.......Some use used cooking or motor oil instead of water.....I HAVE NEVER TRIED THAT....THIS MEDIA CAN BE RE USED OVER AND OVER.........PROBLEMS.....
LEAD AND WATER...........................................It can be EXPLOSIVE
NO FINE DETAIL...............................................If you are making pyramid sinkers it doesn't matter
The only reasons I am going to try these methods is that I AM CHEAP.......I like to make stuff......and it will allow me to make sinkers and maybe micro spoons that are 100% unique to me and made for my style of fishing.......
I will post updates as they become available
LET THE GAMES BEGIN
PLEASE NOTE........I DID NOT INCLUDE WOOD MOLDS.....BEEN THERE.........DONE THAT..........NEVER AGAIN.......
