I've only done a few jigs and really just started out having been mainly a fly tier for many years. I guess my questions would be where do ya'll get your jig heads to tie on, and can they be bought pre-painted or is that a rabbit hole I need to go down too? Are there people that cam paint heads for a price if that is not something I decide I don't want to jump into right away? I can get all the chenille and various other body material as well as a miscellany of feathers and fur I need from my tying suppliers but having a hard time nailing down jig heads without the collar.

In addition to that was also wondering can you get various sizes? Not just the weight, I understand that is possible, but specifically hook size. Most jigs I see commercially available are usually on a #2 or #4 hook. I'd like to explore #6 and #8 for size. Sometimes them fishes just want something a bit smaller.

I have from 1/80 to 1/4 Oz heads that I have used over the years and have from #8 to #1 Sickles and some Regular bend as well. You can get about any size and shape head you can imagine.

Where to get heads is a personal preference, but most of mine have come from the same guy. I will PM you incase you want to talk to him. He also will do pained heads for reasonable price.

Skip

We had the same problem finding what we wanted so now we pour and paint our own. We do sizes 1/80 to 1/4 and hook sizes #12 to #4/0 and 54 different colors. If you decide to tie alot of jigs it is much cheaper to pour and paint your own.
You have to want to make ALOT of jigs to offset the initial cost of the equipment needed, ie the furnace, lead, hooks, paint, fluid bed, and molds which can run 140.00$ each for the smaller sizes.
It is also very time consuming especially if you doing it by yourself. We poured 500 jigheads lastnight in about 3 hours and thats with my wife loading the hooks in the molds while i pour and remove the sprue. Next week we will paint and it usually takes an hour to paint and bake 100 jigheads
We love tying jig! Its the pouring and painting thats a pain but the best thing is you have the satisfaction of knowing you have made the best jigheads for you to tie your jigs on. Thats quality control you can't get buying them already made

gar1970 I have seen ya'lls jigs in many posts and they are impressive. 4/0 that's flipping huge!!

As far as pouring and all that, I may be going down that road in the future but probably not just as yet. Did you start off with dedicated equipment or did you press other stuff into service? I remember just using an old pot and stove top to melt down shotgun pellets from cheapy dove loads when I was a kid to pour into molds for some sinkers and a few other things when I was a kid.

When it comes to painting and baking them is there special equipment to get(is this where the fluid bed comes in?) or do you just dip/paint 'em then put them in the oven?

On the time end, I have plenty of that. The biggest thing on my plate is spoiling my Grandson when my oldest boy brings him over for a few hours every week.

Thank you for the compliment on our jigs! The 4/0 are for our saltwater jigs

I have aa big ladle that i put over a propane burner to melt wheel weight for 6oz improved bank sinkers but that stuff is too big and too much of a hassle for jigheads. If your going to pour 1/64 and smaller a bottom pour melting pot is mandatory so it will flow into the mold. Its best to get the right equipment right off you wont regret it!

As for painting you can get away with dipping directly into the jar but you run the risk of appling too much paint then you will get nipples on your jigheads when you bake them. The fluid bed floats the paint so you get a nice even coat on your jigheads. There are people that sell fluid beds and YouTube videos on how to make them. I watched a bunch of them and took ideas from them and made my own. I have a post on here somewhere about it. Ill look for it and post link. Dont use your kitchen oven to bake them or youll be tasting them in your thanksgiving turkey.
! I have an old toaster oven that works perfectly even the rack has grooves that keep the jigheads apart.

When melting and pouring lead have lots of cross ventilation, wear a mask and most importantly don't have any water near melting lead! Even a drop of water will cause a violent explosion sending molten lead everywhere.
Use common sense be safe and have fun

Thanks for all thee info; gave me a lot too think on.

Anytime! Any other questions don't hesitate to ask

I make jigs, and would be happy to help out if needed. Up front it is a huge cost as far as buying a melting pot, molds and hooks lead, paint etc... I don't get to fish much nowadays with two kids under 3, but I like to pour, and paint... I feel like it somewhat keeps me involved since I don't get to go out much...