Making weights

[jpster]

Hi all,

Just wondered if anyone makes there own weights? I've been making some for a while now and thought that I would try to add in some colour as it all looks too boring.



I'm finding it a bit of a pain to get a good covering after heating up the lead and dipping it in the plastic 'bits'.

The orange was a first try which was .. well rubbish, middle was second and was ok and third seemed alot better. Anyone got any hints or tips?

JP

[Norman]

Hi mate,

These are some I made last season from the same mould you have in the picture.

I use ordinary spray paint from motor factors as the life of a pirk is not long enough to spend money on expensive paint jobs (keep any jelly bits of lure off the paint until you use else it melts )

basically these are humg as you have them and flashed over with white (which becomes the underside) then after 30 mins or so sprayed from the top only with whatever colour you wish this gives the top side.

I then use stick on eyes for realism ......

hope this helps

[Russ hud]

Hi JP,i usually wait til the wife goes to work and stick them in the oven for 20 mins, dip them then back in for another 10/15 mins.they come out with a perfect finish. First time i tried using blow torch, heat gun etc it didnt work out too good, oven every time now.

Good luck,
Russell

[Norman]

I posted before I was complete ooops

as cast





in the making --- base colour






then top side




then decorate eyes




then complete




cheers

norm

[Russ hud]

Canny production line there Norm

[Norman]

haha yeah Russ, and I still loss them as fast as I can make them ..

norm

[big sid]

Looking at those photo's Norman I'm going to need a bigger shed
or some really barmy hot days and use the good old fashioned washing line and to hell with what the neighbours think.

[fisherman58]

Thats a brilliant job you have done on them Norman

[jpster]

Norm just wondering when your using your weights does the paint come off easily after being dipped in the sea?

[Norman]

no Jp it stays fixed, even on the odd one I`ve had in the water and retrieved to try something else the paint stays on until (and ever after) the next session. To be honest once you put a pirk on the end its only got a limited life and I would expect to loose it within 15 mins ... or often faster " in it to win it " an all that.
I do give them a quick coat of primer before the first white (which I omitted to show as I had no pictures of primed bits) This helps the paint stay on the lead

If you were to look to making them last a little longer you could give them a coat of clear laquer after last painting ... but ... a bit too far I think.

norm

[Russ hud]

I think the paint will last longer than the pirk, especially when fishing the wrecks.
Russell

[boatangler33]

they look spot on norman!

[lingking]

love those eyes norman wish mine were as straight

[MT2]

Plasti dip gives a perfect long lasting finish! But its only worth using on weights that your not planning on loosing quickly.

I use it on weights that i use at the likes of rhyl, weymouth and other ports where your anchoring over clear or mixed ground. Or drifting over mixed/clear ground.

Wouldnt recommend it for the local marks over rough ground or wrecks unless your a millionaire!

[jpster]

Well I finally got round to getting some lead and it took a while. Local Durham scrap yards never have any!

I managed to pick some up from Seaham instead.. got home and though I would have a bash and make some leads... I might of got carried away!



Seeing as I have some 'plastic bits' I thought I would mess around a bit and try to give the 'tails' a different colour.. seemed to work ok. Long process but while I have the plastic I'm going to use it up. I used up about 1/4 of the lead I bought if not less... maybe I'll buy less next time