Making Your Own Metal Jigs

[DSRTEGL]

Going to start putting some together like I used to do back in the day.....MOST will be from cheap WalMart Bulk Silverware (Spoons and Knives) to show you what can be done. Just have to find some lead foil, prism or holographic tape, Future Floor Acrylic (NO I AM NOT KIDDING), a selection of colored sharpies, and other basic supplies like split rings.

These jigs used to be damn effective, should still be, and are great because you can easily customize color, size and weight to your personal needs.

 

[DSRTEGL]

So I revisited my attempt at hammering out an In-line Sinker into a micro jig and this time it sorta WORKED.....Technique needs refining, but this WILL be USABLE JIG when Complete......



OAL 2.5"
Weight 1.4 oz as is

Copper Foil and Magic Marker, still needs a split ring and a single assist hook at one end, a double assist hook at the other, some eyes (I Buy the eyes.....I am crap at painting them).....AND a Clearcoat.....I use 60# Dacron for the assist hooks and wrap it with Size "E" rodbuilding thread.....This is just a basic "Quick and Dirty" learning the process.....Holographic Tape and proper Paint Pens with really improve the builds.

 

[DSRTEGL]

Tried to hammer out another usable jig from an In-Line Sinker.....This time a 3/4oz......Pretty much an epic fail.....during shaping....The lead broke at the rear eyelet.......My conclusion is that this is a somewhat doable process in a pinch......But given the time involved you are much better off buying the jig, making your own mold or buying a professionally made mold. I think I will stick to stainless steel for my jig and spoon making until I can prototype some micro jig blanks out of wood and cast them in Plaster of Paris.......The main issue with stainless steel is that it is often NOT HEAVY enough but that can be fixed by adding lead dots or sheets depending on the design....a process that I will cover when I get over this damn cold.

 

[DIYLureJunky]

If you heat the lead, not to the melting point, but heated some, it's probably easier to shape.

 

[DSRTEGL]

If you heat the lead, not to the melting point, but heated some, it's probably easier to shape.

I was doing just that when the the jig I was shaping fell apart. I was not expecting this to be a successful technique.....That I why I am making wooden prototypes to make molds from and heading to the salvage yard asap to pick up a couple more rolls of lead sheeting.....they have one big roll that is going to cost me but it is the hard to find thin lead roofing lead that is perfect for adding weight to stainless steel blanks.

 

[DSRTEGL]

OK......This Thread is pretty much going to be my "Kitchen Sink" Tackle Craft Thread.....I went to WalMart and loaded up with craft supplies for tackle crafting and they also had 4-packs of Stainless Steel Knives for $.88/4......Those are flutter spoon blanks right there.....I want these builds to be quick and easy. Something EVERYBODY can do and catch fish.....So STAY TUNED........The only thing people might find hard to source is the THIN sleet lead I swear by......The salvage yard I go to had literally TONS of lead......But only ONE ROLL of the thin sheet lead.....This stuff is THE BOMB and can be cut easily with a sturdy pair of scissors

 

[DSRTEGL]

This is what I mean by "Kitchen Sink Tackle Craft".......This 2 3/4" and .7oz Jig is made from a Standard Paper Clip, Thin Lead Sheeting, Foil Tape, some Glitter Tape, and Sharpies......I CAN'T FIND MY RED 1/0 and 2/0 HOOKS FOR THE ASSIST HOOKS DAMMIT......Still needs Tweaking and a Clear Coat.....This particular design is very flexible so it is easy to tune the shape of the lure for more/less wobble

 

[DSRTEGL]

Some of the things I have been playing with today.......Lead Sheeting (Thin), Various Foil and Glitter Tapes, Paper Clips, and Sharpies



2 3/4" 0.7oz Flutter Jig Concept


3" 1.2oz Jig Concept


1 3/4" .4oz Micro Jig Concept



Wire Forms from Small and Standard Paper Clips

The Thin Lead Sheeting is cut to size and folded into place over the wire form and then press fit.......

The Jigs produced can be Painted......Covered with Colored Foils.......Customized for Shape and Weight........I am still looking for the proper Clear Coat and to find the damn Hooks I purchased for this project.....THEY ARE AROUND HERE SOMEWHERE DAMMIT......Before I can complete the builds.....With some Split Rings and Some Assist Hooks.

 

[DIYLureJunky]

You have too much time . I used to do that, but I got lazy over time and bought the dang Do-It flutter jig mold.

 

[DSRTEGL]

You have too much time . I used to do that, but I got lazy over time and bought the dang Do-It flutter jig mold.

I have been home sick for the last 2 days.......and to be honest.....I looked at that flutter jig mold and didn't really like it.....The jigs were just too long for the weight.....Right now I am making 2" jigs up to 3/4oz.....Mind You.....If you wanted to shoot some of the 3/4oz and 1oz flutter jigs my way so I could play with them.....

 

[mav]

You have too much time . I used to do that, but I got lazy over time and bought the dang Do-It flutter jig mold.

Same here. How about working with the Do-It Jigging Spoon. You can hammer to shape. I use to paint and/or put prizim tape on them and feather or buck tail the hook.

 

[DSRTEGL]

1 1/2" and .85oz



1 1/2" .55oz



1 1/2" .65oz


Experimenting with different shapes and weights

 

[DSRTEGL]

Same here. How about working with the Do-It Jigging Spoon. You can hammer to shape. I use to paint and/or put prizim tape on them and feather or buck tail the hook.

Its an idea.....But my lures can be made without having to melt lead......and the shape is easily customizable......

As soon as I get the Clear Coat on these I will do the final trimming and slap some Assist Hooks on them.....

I am going to concentrate on the Micro Jig Styles for Perching at the moment

 

[DSRTEGL]

Same here. How about working with the Do-It Jigging Spoon. You can hammer to shape. I use to paint and/or put prizim tape on them and feather or buck tail the hook.

If you still have the mold and could shoot some my way in the 1oz or so size so I could play with them I could pay in advance for a prepaid envelope

 

[mav]

If you still have the mold and could shoot some my way in the 1oz or so size so I could play with them I could pay in advance for a prepaid envelope

Man, It was my brother's mold. He let his friend barrow it and you know how that goes. I don't know if he's gotten back.

I'll have to check what I have left. I once had a whole plastic bag of those things but I've given most of them away, over the years.

 

[DSRTEGL]

Man, It was my brother's mold. He let his friend barrow it and you know how that goes. I don't know if he's gotten back.

I'll have to check what I have left. I once had a whole plastic bag of those things but I've given most of them away, over the years.

It's all good.....

 

[DSRTEGL]

Blade Bait and Jig in the making from a $0.22 Walmart Stainless Steel Knife.........Blade Bait Blank as is....Weights in .4oz.......I will make it heavier with sheet lead.......The Handle Section will be a jig and is .9oz......Some basic tweaking to the shape and it is good to go......with a little Bling added


I plan several designs for the blade baits.....All with Assist Hooks......Most with assist hooks at front and back......Some with assist Hooks front and middle bottom with a spinner blade at the tail.....adding weight properly to these can really change the swimming action.

 

[DSRTEGL]

FYI......I have had several people ask me to make them jigs with Abalone Shell or Abalone Veneer.....HARD PASS........Abalone Shell is very dangerous to work with and the good veneer is damn expensive......The veneers can be beautiful though.....MOST PEOPLE....are completely unwilling to pay the price (a very fair one) I charge for an abalone lure

 

[DSRTEGL]

Soooooo.........Remember These????


These are the wire forms for small jigs that I have been making out of small and standard sized Paper Clips.......After a quick consult with a friend in Japan.....I tried simply ROLLING my thin lead sheeting around the form.....hammering it flat with each thickness....and I am ending up with jigs between 2 3/8 and 2 1/2" long weighing between .75 and .90 oz......



A little paint, some bling, and some hooks and they are good to go

 

[DSRTEGL]

Playing with the Assist Hook Idea.....Basic Concept only.....Too long.......So a Dressed Single Rear Hook the best idea for this size jig.....Needs Split Ring for Better Action......More Refined Wraps......Hooks about the right size for the project at least.......Although the 60# Dacron I am using for the Assist Hooks BARELY goes through the eye of the Hook......I might have to go to some 80# Flat Braid I have laying around......