Just got my Lee ball mold today

mrappe · September 23, 2010, 08:52 PM

The Lee instructions say to lubricate the v ribs but I am not sure what they are. Also it said to put carbon on the cavity with a match. Do you do this every time before you start?

Andy Griffith · September 23, 2010, 08:58 PM

The "V" ribs is the little piece of steel and the channel in the mould that help to locate and line up the mould halves correctly.

As for using the smoke from a match, I've never had to do it after the first time, unless a mould didn't want to release bullets well.

It's the smoke from a blown out match that you want to coat the mould with- not the flame- the carbon in very, very fine particulates.

mrappe · September 23, 2010, 09:06 PM

What do you use to lube the mold? I don't have any bullet lube.

CameronP · September 23, 2010, 09:12 PM

Try using Rapine Graphite Mold Prep. works very well on my Lee molds

the rifleer · September 23, 2010, 10:00 PM

I've never used lube and they come out pretty good. Let me give you a few tips that i learned the hard way. First, use gloves and protective clothing (shorts don't work well, ask me how I know haha).

Make sure your mold is hot. I hold mine over a propane torch for about 20 seconds which seems to work well. If the mold is too cold you will not get very good ball castings. Same if true if it is too hot. It just takes a little practice and a little patience. Use a dowel or something to knock it open and drop them onto a towel or even a bucket of water.

Be safe and have fun.

CajunPowder · September 23, 2010, 11:59 PM

Fascinating. +100

Noz · September 24, 2010, 08:39 AM

A candle will do in a pinch for a mold lube. The reason for the mold lube is that hot aluminum gets "sticky" and doesn't want to close or open easily.
Usually a one time smoking is all that is required.
You might wash the mold with acetone or lacquer thinner or strong alcohol before you smoke it.
Make sure that the lead, dead soft, that you are using is very clean. Multiple fluxings before you begin to cast. Dirty lead will eat the thin aluminum at the sprue away and give you a very ugly outcome. (Don't ask how I know and don't ask why it took a couple of ruined molds for me to figure that out

Doc Hoy · September 24, 2010, 12:44 PM

......is to hold it over a candle close to the wick. This serves to starve the flame of oxygen creating a carborizing flame which produces dark smoke and almost black soot. The black soot is the lubricant. Looks bad but it works.

You can also use talc which you can get from a pharmacist.

DO NOT USE CORN STARCH! It is too embarrassing.

I agree with whoever said, lubing it once lasts an awful long time. I schmootz mine up with talc about every three hundred balls.

As a disclaimer, I cast roundballs only and have absolutely zero experience casting other shaped bullets, although I do cast other things in lead.

Hawg · September 24, 2010, 06:16 PM

I've got prolly a dozen Lee molds and I never smoked any of them. I stick a corner in the lead to heat it up. I have one I bought used that was already smoked. Can't say I see any difference.

September 23, 2010, 08:52 PM	#1
mrappe Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 255	Just got my Lee ball mold today The Lee instructions say to lubricate the v ribs but I am not sure what they are. Also it said to put carbon on the cavity with a match. Do you do this every time before you start?

September 23, 2010, 08:58 PM	#2
Andy Griffith Senior Member Join Date: May 14, 2009 Location: Macon Co. NC Posts: 591	The "V" ribs is the little piece of steel and the channel in the mould that help to locate and line up the mould halves correctly. As for using the smoke from a match, I've never had to do it after the first time, unless a mould didn't want to release bullets well. It's the smoke from a blown out match that you want to coat the mould with- not the flame- the carbon in very, very fine particulates. __________________ Barney Fife: "Nip it, nip it, nip it!" Andy Griffith:"Oh now Barn'...."

September 23, 2010, 10:00 PM	#5
the rifleer Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2008 Location: Sunny California Posts: 1,281	I've never used lube and they come out pretty good. Let me give you a few tips that i learned the hard way. First, use gloves and protective clothing (shorts don't work well, ask me how I know haha). Make sure your mold is hot. I hold mine over a propane torch for about 20 seconds which seems to work well. If the mold is too cold you will not get very good ball castings. Same if true if it is too hot. It just takes a little practice and a little patience. Use a dowel or something to knock it open and drop them onto a towel or even a bucket of water. Be safe and have fun. __________________ There is no such thing as a stupid question, only stupid people.

September 24, 2010, 12:44 PM	#8
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	The way you smoke it..... ......is to hold it over a candle close to the wick. This serves to starve the flame of oxygen creating a carborizing flame which produces dark smoke and almost black soot. The black soot is the lubricant. Looks bad but it works. You can also use talc which you can get from a pharmacist. DO NOT USE CORN STARCH! It is too embarrassing. I agree with whoever said, lubing it once lasts an awful long time. I schmootz mine up with talc about every three hundred balls. As a disclaimer, I cast roundballs only and have absolutely zero experience casting other shaped bullets, although I do cast other things in lead. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

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September 23, 2010, 09:06 PM	#3
mrappe Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 255	What do you use to lube the mold? I don't have any bullet lube.

September 23, 2010, 09:12 PM	#4
CameronP Member Join Date: August 25, 2010 Location: West Jordan, Utah Posts: 71	Try using Rapine Graphite Mold Prep. works very well on my Lee molds

September 23, 2010, 11:59 PM	#6
CajunPowder Junior member Join Date: April 1, 2010 Location: Louisiana - Cajun Triangle Posts: 223	Fascinating. +100

September 24, 2010, 08:39 AM	#7
Noz Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2009 Posts: 643	A candle will do in a pinch for a mold lube. The reason for the mold lube is that hot aluminum gets "sticky" and doesn't want to close or open easily. Usually a one time smoking is all that is required. You might wash the mold with acetone or lacquer thinner or strong alcohol before you smoke it. Make sure that the lead, dead soft, that you are using is very clean. Multiple fluxings before you begin to cast. Dirty lead will eat the thin aluminum at the sprue away and give you a very ugly outcome. (Don't ask how I know and don't ask why it took a couple of ruined molds for me to figure that out

September 24, 2010, 06:16 PM	#9
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	I've got prolly a dozen Lee molds and I never smoked any of them. I stick a corner in the lead to heat it up. I have one I bought used that was already smoked. Can't say I see any difference.