Buck Shot to Split Shot ?

[Johnch]

I want to split some almost pure lead #4 Buck and #2 Buck Shot to use as split shot
As with the price of buying split shot is way to high IMO :groner:

I have a idea for a jig to stop me from cutting the buck shot all the way through
So I was wondering what you think would be better
A chisel or a knife ?

Or is there something better ?

John

[country gent]

A knife might be the better of the 2 for a finer more even cut. You might try a exacto knife blade and lightly tap with a hammer.

Another way that might be even easier is to use some thin aluminum sheet in the mould and cast with the cut in place.

[woody1]

I cannot find a photo of this to save my life but a large knife hinged at the tip similar to a paper cutter except attached to cut straight down into the board. Put a divot in the board to hold the shot in place and as deep as you want to stop the cut. Sorta like your pocket knife only in reverse.
OK similar to a cone cutter for sampling conifer cones................there's a cone cutter shown in this document if you care to look it up.
Page 2 I think.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=11&ved=2ahUKEwjnqtCY8ubhAhWXsp4KHbiEA6Q4ChAWMAB6BAgCE AI&url=https%3A%2F%2Fnpn.rngr.net%2Fpublications%2Ftp n%2F11-3%2Fissue-42-full%2Fat_download%2Ffile&usg=AOvVaw02_1FrPAz2EfMesbWLkALZ

[Johnch]

I cannot find a photo of this to save my life but a large knife hinged at the tip similar to a paper cutter except attached to cut straight down into the board. Put a divot in the board to hold the shot in place and as deep as you want to stop the cut. Sorta like your pocket knife only in reverse.
OK similar to a cone cutter for sampling conifer cones................there's a cone cutter shown in this document if you care to look it up.
Page 2 I think.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=11&ved=2ahUKEwjnqtCY8ubhAhWXsp4KHbiEA6Q4ChAWMAB6BAgCE AI&url=https%3A%2F%2Fnpn.rngr.net%2Fpublications%2Ftp n%2F11-3%2Fissue-42-full%2Fat_download%2Ffile&usg=AOvVaw02_1FrPAz2EfMesbWLkALZ

Thanks
I think that hing system should work

John

[gbrown]

I have a double split shot mold, large on one side, small on the other. A shortened hacksaw blade with the teeth filed off lays in a slot in the middle. Been a while since I used it, can't remember how many each side produces.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

SNIP...

Or is there something better ?
I'd think casting them would be better.
I wish you lived closer, I'd borrow you a couple of my Do-It Molds.
Or you could search out a mold that has the sizes you prefer.

240313

[Johnch]

I have several split shot molds
I even have 2 Do It Split shot molds , 1 removeable type and 1 non removeable type


But IMO all of the molds fail to produce a split shot that holds to the line well
Err you can really pinch the cast split shot HARD with a pliers and it holds OK
I feel that all split shot molds have a flaw , they have to let you remove the split shot from the mold
Leaving a parting line area that has a square base profile that lets the line slide through
But IMO I have never gotten as good of a hold as with "Cut" split shot

So I am going to try and make a cut type split shot

John

[EMC45]

I used my .310 buck from my Lee mold for deep sinkers when I was catfishing in GA. I used Ace Hardware pruning shears to cut halfway through the pellet and then crimped with pliers to the fishing line.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjWx8rS2OjhAhXwhOAKHb2NCsUQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=http%3A%2F%2Facehardwaremaldives.com%2Fproduct %2Flawn-garden%2F7094501%2F&psig=AOvVaw3TxJJZCOj2f5ksNuwsG5qz&ust=1556194005330195

[waksupi]

I've used an old butcher knife to do it. Drill a hole less than half diameter of the buckshot, center the blade, and give it a whack with a chunk of wood.

[country gent]

One reason the current split shot don't grip as well now is the new mono lines are much thinner than they used to be for a given test weight. A fine cut will grip better Im sure. A hacksaw blade as is cuts about .032 wider depending on set the back edge is around .025 wide still probably wider than what you want. But the set can be ground off a blade and thinned to close to where you want it Ive gone as thin as .010 wide for cutting slots in parts. I thinned blades in a surface grinder. It can be done by hand but would be a real chore. There may be jewelers blades that are thinner. I think the dremil saw blades are around .015 and would make the cut you want

[KCSO]

What Waksupi said, that's how we do it to,

[jdfoxinc]

I use an anvil type pruning spear. You know where the blade meets a flat surface on what would be the other blade. Very easy to control.

[Ozark mike]

They make casting molds for everything including split shot and snagging hooks

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I use an anvil type pruning spear. You know where the blade meets a flat surface on what would be the other blade. Very easy to control.

Boy, this sounds like the way to go, if I were to do what the OP is asking about.

[BK7saum]

Craftsman makes a utility cutter that uses box knife blades with a flat anvil surface opposite the blade. The box knife blade would be strong enough to not deflect like the craftsman multicut.

[Ozark mike]

Hmm I got a bunch of 457 and 430 RBs wonder if they would make good trolling weight s

[trebor44]

Something along the lines of a 'pill cutter' would be a design option.

[gwpercle]

I use an anvil type pruning spear. You know where the blade meets a flat surface on what would be the other blade. Very easy to control.

Try the anvil pruning shear first . A finger on each side of the shot will hold it and a controlled cut can be made . Nothing else required and it sounds safe ...
Do-It still sells sinker moulds ( www.do-itmolds.com) casting them might be more productive than cutting buckshot .
Gary

[RED BEAR]

Not sure but might try a set of cutting pliers with one side of cutter ground flat. Only $5 or $6 may be worth a try.

[Johnch]

The reason I am going to cut Buck Shot is I fish Braid for Small Mouth Bass & Large Mouth Bass in the local ponds , rivers and creeks in part

Is that I fish 6 or 8 lb braid
The 6 lb braid claims to be the same size as 1 lb mono and the 8 lb braid claims to be 2 lb mono size

Non of the split shot molds will hold at all , unless I crimp down hard with pliers

Factory split shot hold for a while
I cut 50 #4 buck shot into split shot last night
IMO , I think they will hold almost as good as factory split shot

As soon as the river clears up some , I plan on trying out my cut shot
I never keep the bass

John

[megasupermagnum]

I doubt you can get this to work, as the antimony in the buckshot makes it too brittle for split shot. I have a split shot mold, and COWW is too brittle for split shot.

I fish almost exclusively power pro braided line, although I go after big Pike more than anything. I've tried very light line like that for different things, but find braid is best at 15 pound and above. I say that as 8 pound braid is not that much thinner than 15 pound, yet is only half the strength. There is a sharp curve of diminishing returns below 15 pound braid is what I'm trying to say. My walleye rods are set with 15 pound braid, and depending on the rig, a 6 foot or so 6-10# monofilament leader. Flurorocarbon is a fad I gave up on, it doesn't work nearly as well as people claim. I use a double uni knot to connect lines, and it holds very well.

I also find split shot doesn't hold that well on thinner braided line. I find those small cone shaped sinker stops hold better than split shot, and I use egg sinkers for weight if I can.

[missionary5155]

Good morning
If your having slippage issues wrap your line around the split shot (in the groove) at least once. Thus you are crimping at least a double line. If feasible tie a half hitch in the groove before crimping.
Mike in Peru