Pouring bismuth jigs

[cjtoad]

Are any of you guys pouring your own bismuth jigs. Mass. has a new lead ban this year and I'd like to try pouring bismuth ones, any help would be greatly apprecaited.

[BB144]

I've never tried it, but I think it could be done with the same equipment.

The melting point of Bismuth is quite a bit less than that of lead, so a regular lead pot will work fine. The densities of the two metal are fairly similar and you'd be looking at approximately .05-.06 oz per cm^3 different, with lead being heavier. So aside from the jigs weighing slightly less, I don't see there being issues.

Oh, and bismuth is 4-5 times the price of lead.

[cjtoad]

$29 a lbs seems to be the going rate for bismuth and I've never had to pay for lead before, but I've got no choice I'll have to give it a try. Hopeful the equipment I've got on hand works.

[BB144]

Wow, I didn't realize it was nearly 10x the price of lead, depending on where you get it. Keep us updated, I'm interested to hear how this comes out. If it's fairly simple, it would be a practical (as opposed to Tungsten and it's melting point of around 6000 degrees) and environmentally friendly for those who make their own weights/jigs.