started on the texas rigs

by **3legged_lab** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 10:47 pm

So I had my turn at the turkey fryer today. I poured a little over 15 dozen weights, and got 2 dozen decoys rigged up. I'm getting a little antsy to give 'em a try now. All in all I should have more than enough to rig all my ducks, and honkers if I decide to try it on them, and anything else I buy in the next several years.

Heres some pics.

by **3legged_lab** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 10:51 pm

That 'brick' of lead in the home-made melting pot was half of what it originally weighed, and it was still 30.2 pounds when I put it on the scale. The guy we got it from said he demolished an old X-ray machine and inside of it was lined with these lead blocks.

by **Olly** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 10:53 pm

I should have just bought the damn mold. Live and learn.

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by **3legged_lab** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 10:54 pm

How many decoys did you rig up?

by **Olly** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 11:02 pm

5dz so far. I only bought enough weights to do 2dz. I re-used my old strap weights on the others.

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by **Bufflehead** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 11:05 pm

i always wondered how the mold was set up to put a hole in the center of the weight on egg weight molds. those "do-it" molds will last for ever. my mushroom mold has had thousands of weights poured in it.

by **3legged_lab** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 11:08 pm

Olly wrote:5dz so far. I only bought enough weights to do 2dz. I re-used my old strap weights on the others.

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Even using the 4 ounce eggs from SNL (40/10lb bag @ $31+freight) you would have been ahead to buy the mold. I guess if you use your old strap weights you could roll them up tight into a ball, it should work basically the same.

by **3legged_lab** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 11:11 pm

Bufflehead wrote:i always wondered how the mold was set up to put a hole in the center of the weight on egg weight molds. those "do-it" molds will last for ever. my mushroom mold has had thousands of weights poured in it.

Its just a simple 'pull pin', you can kind of see it in my first pic. Works pretty well once you figure out your timing. You have to let the lead cool long enough for the inside of the egg to get firm, but not so long that it cools and sticks to the pull pin. After about a dozen pours I'd let it cool for a minute and oil the pull pin.

by **T Man** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 11:49 pm

3legged_lab wrote:
Bufflehead wrote:i always wondered how the mold was set up to put a hole in the center of the weight on egg weight molds. those "do-it" molds will last for ever. my mushroom mold has had thousands of weights poured in it.

Its just a simple 'pull pin', you can kind of see it in my first pic. Works pretty well once you figure out your timing. You have to let the lead cool long enough for the inside of the egg to get firm, but not so long that it cools and sticks to the pull pin. After about a dozen pours I'd let it cool for a minute and oil the pull pin.

The indas recommended using a candle to soot the rod and mold as a release

by **3legged_lab** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 11:55 pm

T Man wrote:
3legged_lab wrote:
Bufflehead wrote:i always wondered how the mold was set up to put a hole in the center of the weight on egg weight molds. those "do-it" molds will last for ever. my mushroom mold has had thousands of weights poured in it.

Its just a simple 'pull pin', you can kind of see it in my first pic. Works pretty well once you figure out your timing. You have to let the lead cool long enough for the inside of the egg to get firm, but not so long that it cools and sticks to the pull pin. After about a dozen pours I'd let it cool for a minute and oil the pull pin.

The indas recommended using a candle to soot the rod and mold as a release

The directions that came with the Do-it mold said before first to oil, or soot with a carbon rich flame prior to first use, I used my oxy/acet torch with a low acetyline only flame. The soot was gone after the first pour. It also says to oil the hinge often. I found it easier to just oil the pull pin at the same time.

by **QH's Paw** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 12:20 am

Can't remember if you mentioned in the other thread but, where was it that you bought the mold from?
Now that you poured more than you think you'll need for years to come, are you gonna sell the mold?

by **3legged_lab** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 12:33 am

QH's Paw wrote:Can't remember if you mentioned in the other thread but, where was it that you bought the mold from?

On Ebay. Its a Do-it mold, their catalog has everything a guy would need to fishing gear, but their prices are a little higher than ebay.

QH's Paw wrote:Now that you poured more than you think you'll need for years to come, are you gonna sell the mold?

I haven't made up my mind yet. You inerested if I do?

by **3legged_lab** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 1:18 pm

New question:

For those of you using Texas rigs, do you still use a decoy bag? If not, are you just tossing them in the boat loose?

I have a pretty good decoy bag that will hold 4 dozen easy, but I'm not seeing it to be a very effective way of dealing with these when already hooked on a biner. Kind of thinking about getting one of those black decoy sleds to toss them into.

by **assateague** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 1:28 pm

I tie mine in a loose knot and just throw them in the boat.

by **Bufflehead** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 2:46 pm

no bags for me. i have a couple places that i clip the snaps to to keep the lines from geting mixed up. i had over 20 dozen texas rigged in the bow of my boat and not a single tangle, i couldn't believe it

by **Willie** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 2:52 pm

I put mine in the boat basically just like you have them hanging...take a dozen and coil the leader in big enough coils so they don't tangle and lay them on top of any singles I take with me.

by **goodkarmarising** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 2:56 pm

Looking good.

by **Redbeard** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 4:20 pm

Looks good JR. I tell myself every year that I'm gonna do this. One of these days. My buddy did it and I'll admit we've never encountered a tangle

by **hotrodtoad** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 6:47 pm

3legged_lab wrote:That 'brick' of lead in the home-made melting pot was half of what it originally weighed, and it was still 30.2 pounds when I put it on the scale. The guy we got it from said he demolished an old X-ray machine and inside of it was lined with these lead blocks.

No wonder your pictures always look a little brighter than everyone elses. Have you noticed the glow coming from your weights? :lol:

by **3legged_lab** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 7:44 pm

hotrodtoad wrote:
3legged_lab wrote:That 'brick' of lead in the home-made melting pot was half of what it originally weighed, and it was still 30.2 pounds when I put it on the scale. The guy we got it from said he demolished an old X-ray machine and inside of it was lined with these lead blocks.

No wonder your pictures always look a little brighter than everyone elses. Have you noticed the glow coming from your weights?

It makes it easier to set decoys pre-dawn when the weights are glowing.

by **Flightstopper** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 9:06 pm

I use a drake stand up bag to keep them contained. Slotted bags also work great.

by **Olly** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 9:08 pm

Flightstopper wrote:I use a drake stand up bag to keep them contained. Slotted bags also work great.

I was wanting a few of these but they're so damn expensive for a decoy bag.

by **sws002** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 9:13 pm

I think I'm gonna try out the new Rig 'Em Right DP3 XL bag this year for my texas rigged stuff.

by **Flightstopper** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 9:19 pm

Olly wrote:
Flightstopper wrote:I use a drake stand up bag to keep them contained. Slotted bags also work great.

I was wanting a few of these but they're so damn expensive for a decoy bag.

Present from the inlaws years ago

agree on the rig em right bag

by **Westie25** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 9:40 pm

Flightstopper wrote:I use a drake stand up bag to keep them contained. Slotted bags also work great.

I use this bag. It's nice. But so damn big.

by **3legged_lab** » Mon Jul 16, 2012 12:21 am

A large decoy bag doesn't bother me none, I don't walk in anymore like when I was young. I have a big canvas type bag w/ padded shoulders and all, but I'm thinking to be able to go along with the ease of the texas rigs the bag will be counter productive. I'm considering buying one of those big plastic decoy sleds. Just put it in the front of the boat and toss 'em in.

by **duckkillerclyde** » Mon Jul 16, 2012 12:44 am

Bufflehead wrote:i always wondered how the mold was set up to put a hole in the center of the weight on egg weight molds. those "do-it" molds will last for ever. my mushroom mold has had thousands of weights poured in it.

I just pour round balls and drill holes in them after.

by **MOhuntingGuy** » Mon Jul 16, 2012 1:39 am

3legged_lab wrote:A large decoy bag doesn't bother me none, I don't walk in anymore like when I was young. I have a big canvas type bag w/ padded shoulders and all, but I'm thinking to be able to go along with the ease of the texas rigs the bag will be counter productive. I'm considering buying one of those big plastic decoy sleds. Just put it in the front of the boat and toss 'em in.

We do that every now and then. We have a couple spots where you don't need a boat. Just pull up to the hunting area and walk about 40 yards through the woods to our little cove. We'll throw 4-5 dozen deeks in the jet sled and toss them out. Then just wade out with the jet sled and throw them in when its time to pick up. Pretty dang handy.

I need to pick up some more egg weights. I've got a dozen and a half more decoys that need texas rigged.

by **goodkarmarising** » Mon Jul 16, 2012 8:17 am

Let me know if you need more line, mohuntingguy, should have plenty floating around the garage.

by **MOhuntingGuy** » Mon Jul 16, 2012 8:45 am

goodkarmarising wrote:Let me know if you need more line, mohuntingguy, should have plenty floating around the garage.

Thanks GK, I appreciate it. You gave me plenty last time so it'll last me quite a while.