[bassman843]

what tools do you use to trim the extra lead off of your jigs.I used a pair of wire cutters and they really didn't make a very good cut.I had to touch up with a die grinder.I think I read about some at janns netcraft are they any good

[MDC]

Depending on what mold you are using, if the sprue is small enough where it meets the head you can just bend it back and forth and it will break. Then just smooth it over with and old pocket knife or something similar.
I have the football jig, flateye jig, worm nose jig, and the 1/4-3/8 splitshot molds and do this with all of them.

[Dungeonhawk]

i bought a cheap bench grinding wheel to smooth the bottom of my stand up jigs, footballs etc. I use a dremil tool (with the hand tool add on) with jigs and spinnerbaits.

[kelly]

the cutters janns has are made to cut soft material you cant cut wire with them. but i have seen them in the electrical sec. in home depo. the cutter you are using have two cut edges on both sides. the lead cutters have only one making it flat on one side. most of your triming should be finished with the lead cutters. only once in a while will you want to use a knife or sand.

[akriverrat]

i havent had the chance to use gate trimmers. i am currently using a small set of side cutters and an end cutter to get closer. then i run a file over the cut to smooth it off. i use bigger molds so there is a little more lead involved. i have to get a dremel to smooth things off, sometimes the file gets old pretty quick.

john

[cadman]

I use the small gate trimmers and a file. It works well for me. I have yet to pour any jig that didn't need some touching up with a file. Especially when I cut the sprue. If you paint a jig that has an imperfection, you will notice it right after painting, and then it's too late. Maybe I'm just too picky. My jigs are as smooth as a baby's bottom.

[Gloomisman]

Originally Posted by MDC

Depending on what mold you are using, if the sprue is small enough where it meets the head you can just bend it back and forth and it will break. Then just smooth it over with and old pocket knife or something similar.

thats exactly what I do. only takes a second to trim the jig.

[rsinyard]

I use cadman's method. I cut the spur off with some gate cutters and smooth it off with a flat file. I tried using sand paper but the file is a lot quicker.

[bassman843]

great info I think I will look for a pair of gate cutters and stick with my die grinder only took a couple of minutes to touch up 25 jigs

[cadman]

I will say this. If you intend on purchasing gate cutters, then take Kelly's advice. I do the same I only use my gate cutters for lead, and I've had them for going on 6 years. You will dent the cutting blades if you decide to use them for anything else. Then they will be useless. That's like using a screwdriver for a chisel.