I just purchased some Do-it molds to make my own football jigheads and shaky head jigs and when reading the intructions they recommended NOT using hard lead such as tire weights.  Unfortunately, I didn't know this prior to buying them, and tire weights are my free source of lead.  Has anyone had experience using tire weights as a lead source for their molds and if so have you experienced any problems?

Also, I purchased a mold for screw on shaky head jigs, but have not been able to find the hooks with the screw on attachment.  Anyone know of a source for those?  Thanks.

The only time you MIGHT run into problems with tire weight lead is on really small jig heads.  I can pour down to 1/16oz on several of my molds using tire weight lead.  

Make sure to smelt all your tire weights down outside or have a really good ventelation system when you do it cause the fumes can really get to you.  After you get most of the dirty stuff and steel clips out make sure you flux the lead to really clean it.  This is no more than putting some candle wax in the molten lead and stiring it in and if you have to light it with a grill lighter but be careful.  This will really help clean your lead out.

While your smelting your lead if you get any weights that just don't want to melt DON"T turn the heat up get them out, most likely they're zinc.

The only time I really use pure lead anymore is when I do really small panfish jigs, and especially on my pony head jigs.

Make up a sheet with what lead you use for each of your molds and use only that mix in it and you won't have any problems.

On the shakey head jigs most of the guys I know who pour them make their own screw attachment and fit it to their molds.

For the screw locks and making your own check out all the threads here and see if you find anything and if you can't go to www.tackleunderground.com and I know you'll find something.

If you run into any problems molding let us know and we'll help you out.

Fatman

Thanks for the help, I appreciate it.