Mushroom anchor molding rig

Steve Sanford

Steve Sanford

Well-known member
Inspired by the recent post re decoy anchors - which was about the H-style anchors - I just happened to come across this nice rig whilst on one of my "Old Duck Hunter Tours" with Craig Kessler on Long Island. Mushroom anchors - usually in the 1 pound range - are hard to beat in our winds and currents.

Anchormoldingrig_zps05718853.jpg


The actual molds are plaster of Paris - enclosed within a nice box. The best part, in my opinion, is the removable handle that holds the bails in place - a slot for each - while the lead is cooling.

All the best,

SJS
 
That is a very nice set up. Thanks for the picture.

The "mushroom" shape would be similar to what would one out of an old muffin tin. But I like the handle for the bails
 
Lead is much tougher to find today than in years past, as we old timers know. And Gawd forbid you even mention melting it outside or inside... Many of my decoy anchors are most likely older than many of today's waterfowler's. I do treasure the old lead flashing they used on roofs around pipes, makes great pad weights on Decoys. Make friends with a roofer and construction guys and you will do well.
 
SO instead of trying to carve weight design in a wood block, I could use plaster of paris mold made from a cast of the weight style I want to use?

Plaster of paris will hold up to the hot lead?
 
Craig~

I have not used plaster of Paris myself - but this rig had seen a lot of use. The P-of-P was set in sand inside the box.

SJS
 
Plaster of paris will hold up to the hot lead?
Click to expand...

Yes, provided the mold is kept absolutely dry. If the plaster has any moisture in it, even from high humidity, it can crater out when the hot lead hits it.
I've seen some prototype jig molds made of plaster of paris before machining up an aluminum one.
 
Ok, make sure the mold is dry before use.
Next time I'm by hobby lobby I'll pick some up and give it a shot, been trying to copy the susquehanna flats style of decoy weight and have not had much luck carving it from wood or the wood cracks after a few pours. Using clay and P of P would make this a little easier.
 
30+ years ago, a friend and I made a box poured concrete into it and made a similar 1 Lb mold. Since we walked several miles from home to our hunting spot... some through mud... we quickly learned that we could ease the journey by re-making our mold with anchors only 4 oz (more wide than deep) and lengthening the line.
 
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