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markshere2 · September 14, 2009, 10:34 PM

I just got successful boolits created this weekend.

I smelted wheel weights in a cast iron pot and poured ingots into an old cast iron corn muffing mold.

Previously, I tried making boolits using the big ass tin ladle I used to fill the ingot mold. I used the big ass cast pot over the turkey cooker.

FAIL!!
Too much lead at one whatck to fill the boolt moulds.
Too hot tin handle burnt me
Flames on the bottom of the pot produced too much heat and open flames and burner noise distracted me.
Just too darn too hot.
Danger Warning Caution!

I ordered a little Lee dipper from midway for about 4 bucks.

I bought a small electric lead melting pot from neighbor.
It only holds about 5 lbs max.

The first 20 booliots I cast were wrinkly and the sprue plate took a lot of whacking to swing outta the way.

Once I got the mould up to heat, the Boolits filled out in the mould and the sprue plate cut the lead easily, as long as I didn't dawdle.

I am using 2 lee aluminum moulds, both 2 cavity moulds.

one is a 125 grain .356 ( actually produces a 130 gran boolit with my wheel weight ingots).

and one is a .358 that throws a boolit that comes in at 112 grains.

What woks for me:
Work briskly, but deliberately. Pour the lead into each hole - I have best results creating a bridge between the two holes deliberately. More lead mass means a slower cool time.

I set down the lil dipper and pick up my stick and when the puddle cools, I tap the sprue plate outta the way.

Important: Work on a workbench of some sorts. Make it comfy so you can focus on the task at hand. padding under foot or a nice barstool or chair, whatever makes it easy to focus on having fun.
I put a sheet of aluminum under my work area. Spills cleanup easily that way.

Expect a ton of rejects at first.
no problemo- just toss them back into the melter.

When you mould gets too hot - take a break!

Wear long gloves and eye protection and have adequate ventilation and lighting.
You can't prove those sandal clad feet attached to legs wearing shorts were really mine.

Have fun with it!

September 14, 2009, 10:34 PM	#12
markshere2 Member Join Date: December 26, 2008 Posts: 28	N00B input I just got successful boolits created this weekend. I smelted wheel weights in a cast iron pot and poured ingots into an old cast iron corn muffing mold. Previously, I tried making boolits using the big ass tin ladle I used to fill the ingot mold. I used the big ass cast pot over the turkey cooker. FAIL!! Too much lead at one whatck to fill the boolt moulds. Too hot tin handle burnt me Flames on the bottom of the pot produced too much heat and open flames and burner noise distracted me. Just too darn too hot. Danger Warning Caution! I ordered a little Lee dipper from midway for about 4 bucks. I bought a small electric lead melting pot from neighbor. It only holds about 5 lbs max. The first 20 booliots I cast were wrinkly and the sprue plate took a lot of whacking to swing outta the way. Once I got the mould up to heat, the Boolits filled out in the mould and the sprue plate cut the lead easily, as long as I didn't dawdle. I am using 2 lee aluminum moulds, both 2 cavity moulds. one is a 125 grain .356 ( actually produces a 130 gran boolit with my wheel weight ingots). and one is a .358 that throws a boolit that comes in at 112 grains. What woks for me: Work briskly, but deliberately. Pour the lead into each hole - I have best results creating a bridge between the two holes deliberately. More lead mass means a slower cool time. I set down the lil dipper and pick up my stick and when the puddle cools, I tap the sprue plate outta the way. Important: Work on a workbench of some sorts. Make it comfy so you can focus on the task at hand. padding under foot or a nice barstool or chair, whatever makes it easy to focus on having fun. I put a sheet of aluminum under my work area. Spills cleanup easily that way. Expect a ton of rejects at first. no problemo- just toss them back into the melter. When you mould gets too hot - take a break! Wear long gloves and eye protection and have adequate ventilation and lighting. You can't prove those sandal clad feet attached to legs wearing shorts were really mine. Have fun with it!