Leadmaking for Beginners

what you will need :-

• lead from a local builders yard lead flashing
• lead moulds :- avalible from your tackleshop
• mould clamp or g clamp :- avalible from your tackleshop or hardware store(I use both)
• lead wires avalible :- from your tackleshop
• a cooker / stove(not in the house ! )
• stainless steel / cast iron pouring ladel
• lead coating (if needed) :- avalible from your tackleshop
• safety goggles
• thick gloves
• pliars
• a container with cold water in
  fire extinguisher(just in case !)

please note :- I hold no responsibility for any accidents that could occur…this is just a guide… you must take care and use correct safety equipment.

ok, first of all may i point out that younger members should be accompanied by an adult to do this.
also safety is of a paramount here,due to hot moulten lead and hot moulds.

stage 1:-
cut the lead into squares of about 20mm across with an old pair of scissors
you will need approx 40 to start off.

stage 2:-
light the stove,you must put on your gloves and goggles at this point

stage 3:-
clamp the lead mould together with the clamp insuring the lead wires have been inserted into the mould,,warm the mould over the flame of the stove for 2-3 min,,you must do this as the mould could explode when the lead is poured into it !!!!!

stage 4:-
holding the pouring ladel with your gloves on,,warm it up on the flame,adding strips of the lead to it gently one by one till the spoon is 3/4 full.do not overfill the ladel !

stage 5:-
when the lead is moulten in the ladel,hold the lead mould clamp with one hand and gently warm it again for 10 sec,,this will ease the flow of the lead.,,then gently poor the lead into the mould hole,the lead will come out of the hole when full.
do this for all four leads in the mould.

make sure the ladel is off the heat and in a safe place where it cannot fall over.

stage 6:-
leave the mould to set for 3 min minimum

stage 7:-
the mould will obviously still be very hot ,take off the clamp on the mould,it may still be held together with lead.if so gently prise the two halves apart.

heypresto !,you should have 4 leads like this.note how 2 of them have gone wrong showing how you have to be a good aim pouring into the holes.

stage 8:-
let the lead cool for 5 min then using a pair of pliars cut off the scrap lead,,,I then use a file to get all the rough edges off and make it smooth.

Any leads that have gone wrong can me smelted down again in the pouring spoon. The offcuts of the leadmould can be used as line sinkers.

For light line sinkers all is needed is some silicone tubing to fit over the offcut and some stainless steel or copper wire in the shape of a letter "R".

Coating the Lead is Easy!

When the lead has been trimmed hold the wire end with some pliars,,now warm the lead all round for 10 - 15 sec,dont let it get too hot as it will melt. Then dip into the coating.

...warm again over the stove to get a smooth finish then cool off in cold water

or
warm and dip again in coating for a dull finish then cool in cold water.

Dung leads

leads can be coated with what you want after the first coat of plasic coating as almost anything sticks to it.
sand,bark,moss,small twigs,etc,etc.
i use bark that has been ground in an old coffee grinder.
after coating the lead twice i then warm it again and roll in the ground bark till it is covered completely. cool in cold water when covered and dry off.

- Roy Butwell