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mehavey · January 27, 2014, 08:39 AM

I used to smoke moulds, but don't anymore. `Don't have to w/ everything up to temp.

After forty years I now cast everything -- all alloys (pure lead, WW, #2, 20:1, 30:1)
and all moulds (steel/aluminum) -- at 700-710°. I've found this gives me the most
repeatable weights & dimemsions and allows relatively fast casting without overheating
the mould to cause excessive "finning" and/or lead smears on the sprue plate.

An added secret I wish I'd know years ago is the addition of a cheap hotplate (dial temp 1-10),
a cheap 6" griddle and an equally cheap 2-cup pot -- all from Target/WalMart. The hot plate
is set on "4", the griddle is placed on top,the mould is placed on the griddle, and the pot is set
upside down over the mould acting as a "dutch oven"
Total Cost: ~$25

While the lead's heating, the mould's heating.
When the lead's ready, the mould's ready.
First bullet/ball is near always perfect.

'Wish I'd known this 40 years ago....;

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
postscript: Anyone got a 0.400 roundball mould they want
to part with "for good and valuable consideration" ?
(as the lawyers say)

January 27, 2014, 08:39 AM	#19
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 6,898	I used to smoke moulds, but don't anymore. `Don't have to w/ everything up to temp. After forty years I now cast everything -- all alloys (pure lead, WW, #2, 20:1, 30:1) and all moulds (steel/aluminum) -- at 700-710°. I've found this gives me the most repeatable weights & dimemsions and allows relatively fast casting without overheating the mould to cause excessive "finning" and/or lead smears on the sprue plate. An added secret I wish I'd know years ago is the addition of a cheap hotplate (dial temp 1-10), a cheap 6" griddle and an equally cheap 2-cup pot -- all from Target/WalMart. The hot plate is set on "4", the griddle is placed on top,the mould is placed on the griddle, and the pot is set upside down over the mould acting as a "dutch oven" Total Cost: ~$25 While the lead's heating, the mould's heating. When the lead's ready, the mould's ready. First bullet/ball is near always perfect. 'Wish I'd known this 40 years ago....; ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ postscript: Anyone got a 0.400 roundball mould they want to part with "for good and valuable consideration" ? (as the lawyers say) Last edited by mehavey; January 27, 2014 at 09:01 AM.