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Melt the lead or tin in an iron ladle over a gas range or an electric stove. Before putting the two plaster mold halves together, pour some of the hot metal into each half to warm it, or place the plaster mold close to the flame or heat to make it warm. The next step is to place the wire eyelet and the hook in the groove and slot. See Fig. 93. Then put the two halves together, hold them with the pouring hole up, and pour the molten metal as quickly as possible right up to the top of the pouring hole. See Fig. 94. Figure 93. Hook and wire eye in place. When you notice the hot metal harden you can lay the mold on its side to cool off a bit. After the first jig is poured you'll usually need a glove or rag to hold the mold for subsequent pourings. It gets pretty hot and unless the plaster mold is very thick you won't be able to hold it in your bare hand. If you want, you can grip the two plaster halves together with a C-clamp and hold the clamp, to keep your hand from getting burned.
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