Still reading/learning about everything casting. So I have a Lyman 2 cavity mold...I plan on casting from a pot using a ladle to begin with until I decide if I want to really spend money on higher end casting pots/etc. So how long does it take from the time you ladle the lead into both cavities until you knock the sprue plate to the side and drop the bullets out? Can you fill the mold and drop the bullets multiple times in one minute (is this like a pour the lead and count 5 Mississippi) or is is a longer process than that?
lead casting question
- Thread starter layusn1
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Jim Watson
Member
I watch the puddle of lead in the sprue plate and when it frosts over, I am ready to whack the sprue plate over. A friend keeps a clock at the pot and gives it a set number of seconds, in the range of five to ten.
Sistema1927
Member
It is only a few seconds. Pour, pour, watch for a change of color, and smack the sprue plate with a section of old broom stick.
ADKWOODSMAN
Member
+1 Sistema1927
scrat
Member
just like jim says. once everything is heated up. i pour the lead then it starts to cool. then i wack it (sprue plate). then drop them in the bucket. repeat. you should be able to do it about 5 times a minutes. just have to get the rythm going then just keep it up. Now one tip if you wack. the sprue plate and the bullets still look a little wet. you have to wait a little longer. this is so you dont have melted lead on the top of your mold blocks. give it a try i just casted about 600 bullets today myself. then fun part is lubing all of them. thank god for lubrisizers.
I assume you don't want to drop too far because the bullets would still be a little soft? If you water quench them doesn't that get messed up if you size them later? I think I read that somewhere once...it changes the arrangement of the metal particles that was done by the quenching...or something like that?
I was going to start with a Lee size kit and pan lube them with Lar's Carnuba Red lube. Again, just to start and see if I really want to dump tons of money into this.
I was going to start with a Lee size kit and pan lube them with Lar's Carnuba Red lube. Again, just to start and see if I really want to dump tons of money into this.
snuffy
Member
depends
No not old folks undies!
Depends on the alloy. Sometimes it solidifies in 1-3 seconds, other times it may take up to 6-8 seconds. Longer than that, you are running too hot, or not waiting long enough between fills.
Layusn1, I drop bullets onto a soft cotton "T" shirt, right out of the molds. The T shirt is in a pan to contain the bullets. I've never noticed them getting deformed from being too soft.
No not old folks undies!
Depends on the alloy. Sometimes it solidifies in 1-3 seconds, other times it may take up to 6-8 seconds. Longer than that, you are running too hot, or not waiting long enough between fills.
Layusn1, I drop bullets onto a soft cotton "T" shirt, right out of the molds. The T shirt is in a pan to contain the bullets. I've never noticed them getting deformed from being too soft.
Cool, I think the Large cast iron dutch oven is in the future this paycheck...is 6 quartz ok for doing medium sized smelts (25ish pounds) at a time?, next paycheck the turkey fryer and then I will be so close I will be able to smell the toxic lead fumes....lol.
snuffy
Member
In my pics here;http://http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=291549
I'm using a 12 inch 6 quart dutch oven. I had 100 pounds of lead in those photos. The turkey fryer probably can't stand much more than that, I would NOT fill 'er up to the top!
http://www.agrisupplyco.com/cgi-bin/cgiitmls?m=ThisP&p=40281.000000&l=1
Looks like a good deal on a dutch oven. Then there's this turkey fryer, but it is out of stock right now.
http://www.agri-supply.com/HTML/5400007.htm
Item# 49469, 25 bucks!
scrat
Member
What i do is two things. First i put a rag in the bucket of water. So that when the bullets hit the bottom they will hit something soft. Then i put a sponge on the top of the water and drop the bullets on the spong. This way the cool quickly then roll off the sponge. As far as dents dings or changing shape. This may happen to 1 out of about 3-400. So im not really concerned. After im done casting i spend the time taking them out and checking them all one by one. If i find some that do not look right. Maybe because the mold blocks were not aligned all the way or something then i just throw them back into the pot. But thats a very small handfull compared to a casting sesion that may be of 500 bullets.
You really need to get a lubrisizer though. the lee sizing kits are good. but nothing beats a lubrisizer. I purchased an rcbs lubrisizer with two top punches and two dies on ebay for 75.00. Now i have a full set of top punches and about 5 dies.
You really need to get a lubrisizer though. the lee sizing kits are good. but nothing beats a lubrisizer. I purchased an rcbs lubrisizer with two top punches and two dies on ebay for 75.00. Now i have a full set of top punches and about 5 dies.
snuffy
Member
Yeah, but be darn sure they're dry first. Or be sure the pot is cold.
I've had a Lyman 450 sizer for over 35 years. Since lee came out with their push-through sizers and liquid alox, I seldom use it. The lee is just quicker to use and every bit as accurate. Add to that, the base and cover it comes in, serve to accumulate and store the lubed/sized boolits. I either use the lee liquid alox, or pan lube using tamarak or other 50/50 beeswax/alox grease.
The sprue is ready to cut when the alloy turns to a frosty look. That is sufficient to knock them off. Then either drop them into a towel or a bucket of water. I use a Lee Sizer. It is so easy, and as said before, the base collects the bullets already sized and lubed. I am thinking, though, of getting a 450 Lube/sizer just for the other kinds of lubes.
Once you get a rhythm going you can cast quite a few bullets quickly.
Once you get a rhythm going you can cast quite a few bullets quickly.
armoredman
Member
Looking to start this Friday, as well. Thanks for more info. castboolits.com is chock full o' info, too.
scrat
Member
Shoot send it to me send it to me.
i like the lee liquid alox myself. However they are a pain with the sticky bullets all the time. seems like the stuff never dries. i heard on cast boolits.com. someone said to put some talc powder on them to absorb the stickyness. however then your cast bullets look like crap. then if you put to much on seems like it smokes a little. so yep. pm me i wil buy that lubrisizer
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