How to Pour Your Own Fishing Sinkers
- 1). Purchase lead for melting into sinkers. Obtain lead from scrap metal dealers or from bait and tackle shops. Keep in mind that scrap lead from pipes and other used materials will typically be cheaper than lead formed into ingots for the purpose of making fishing sinkers.
- 2). Obtain sinker molds from a bait and tackle supply store. Various molds are available for purchase that will allow you to make a wide range of sinkers. Molds are the most expensive part of making sinkers so choose one that will allow you to make the kinds of sinker you need.
- 3). Put on leather gloves, eye protection and a face mask before melting the lead. Molten lead is extremely dangerous. Not only can you be injured by the hot, liquid metal but the fumes produced are toxic.
- 4). Place a metal melting pot on a burner and set the heat to medium. Allow the pot to heat and add lead so it can begin to heat and melt.
- 5). Place a sinker mold on a sturdy work surface and secure the two halves of the mold together. One common method for securing the halves of the mold is to use a C clamp or spring clamp to secure the mold for pouring. Position the clamp so that it will hold the mold upright when pouring the lead.
- 6). Remove the melting pot with the liquid lead and carefully pour it into the mold. Take your time and use both hands to steady the stream of lead and direct it into the filler holes in the mold. Slowly fill each mold cavity with lead to the top, then move to the next one.
- 7). Allow the lead to cool completely before proceeding. The molds should be cool to the touch before attempting to remove the sinker. When cool, remove the clamp and gently tap the mold on the work surface to separate the two halves. Remove the sinkers, trim excess lead from the sinker shape with a wire cutter and smooth rough edges with a file.
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