HometownBait Posted March 23, 2017 Report Share Posted March 23, 2017 Morning! I'm a fellow tackle maker and long time subscriber to TU. I've exhausted all of my local and Google potential trying to find a good source for bulk lead-free removable split shot. Big company prices are OUTRAGEOUS, probably part of the reason lead got nixed and I don't have the knowledge/capability to pour my own in any sort of quality or safety. Any one know a tackle maker or small biz that deals in non-lead split shot? There was a local gentleman called "zintin" that dealt in a centrifugal Cast zinc/tin/bismuth/(antimony?) Alloy but I can't find him anywhere. Hope the great minds here at TU can help!!!! Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW Lures Posted March 24, 2017 Report Share Posted March 24, 2017 Tungsten (I think) is used for some jigs, wire baits forum would be another place to ask. The thing about tin, zinc etc. is that they loss a lot of density (weight). Brass is another good metal to use. Although brass and tungsten in split shots I have never seen. These metals are costly tho. Dale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HometownBait Posted March 24, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2017 Hi Dale, thanks for your response! I'm not sure how the tungsten powder would sit in a split shot unless it was swaged/sintered like bullets. It's too dense to be centrifugal Cast or poured. And brass, you got me... The problem I'm finding is the big companies (eagle claw, water gremlin, etc.) aren't selling the bulk that im looking for. And tin is something like .7 the density of lead and 16x the price. Hoping to find someone out there with a solution. As far as I know, bismuth and copper are the only workable metals with a density close to lead (besides silver, gold, and tungsten). Mainly, I hate the tin because of how shiny it stays. But the cost and density are horrible too. What really scares me is I've searched and searched and only big business seems to make these "eco-friendly" sinkers... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW Lures Posted March 25, 2017 Report Share Posted March 25, 2017 Yeah....bismuth is another I have looked into as a alternative to lead. It is a concern for me with the environment too. Also the laws in some state's, countries. We are limited in what we can use, that's for sure. Dale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anglinarcher Posted March 26, 2017 Report Share Posted March 26, 2017 You can pour your own bismuth. Bismuth melts at 521 degrees F where lead is at 621 degrees F. As expected, it is a matter of supply. Still, buying in bulk and makin your own is a good option. I find it an excellent option, but a little brittle for split shot, especially removable split shot. Brass is over 1700 degrees, copper over 1800 degrees F, so unless you are a big buy with a great setup, forget it. Tin is the standard, melting at 450 degrees F, and it is flexible, but........ as indicated, it is light. Not for large production methods, at least that I know of, but mixing a 50% tungsten powder and 5 minute epoxy mix and molding gives lead densities. It is not flexible so a split shot is out of the question, but ....... I have made jigs out of it and it works well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HometownBait Posted March 27, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2017 Thanks for both of your insights! Still searching for methods and wholesale quantities. I'm also concerned about temperature and health hazards, as expected. Found some big company seconds online but still no one that produces anything besides corporations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...