Alternatives to Frank. Arsenal mold release/lube?

deepcore · August 28, 2010, 01:45 AM

Are they any hardware store alternatives to Frankford Arsenal (or the like)
mold release/lube?
Thanks

kiwi56 · August 28, 2010, 03:45 AM

All I have ever used is to smoke the mould with a burning candle usually once at the start of a days production is enough.

dahermit · August 28, 2010, 07:58 PM

Quote:

All I have ever used is to smoke the mould with a burning candle usually once at the start of a days production is enough.

And, it has been working for casters for over a hundred years.

deepcore · August 28, 2010, 08:06 PM

And WD 40 or Aerokroil in between uses
to keep the molds from rusting?

Raven Armament · August 28, 2010, 10:07 PM

2 cycle oil.

dahermit · August 29, 2010, 10:32 AM

Another alternative for a mold release agent is to use a common lead pencil to coat the sharp surfaces of bullet mold. A pencil "lead" is a mixture of graphite, wax, and clay. Rubbing the mold will leave a deposit of graphite.
As for treating the mold for storage with oils; I do not. I store them dry in a large military ammo can (for .50 cal.), that has a rubber seal. I put a large pack of desiccant in the bottom or the can. I store the molds in an unheated garage in Michigan. I have done this for about 10 years and never had one rust. Using this method, the molds do not have to be degreased before using them.

noylj · August 29, 2010, 11:29 PM

I have had problems with the oily residue in soot from a candle.
A really great "soot" is the acetylene black you get before you turn on the oxygen.
You can look for a graphite spray. If it doesn't work, use it in your locks.
I use the Franklin Arsenal spray as a solid lubricant for lots of things.

TXGunNut · August 29, 2010, 11:33 PM

I use a butane lighter to burn off the brake cleaner, works good so far. I have a carbide sight smoker that I'll use if that fails.

farmall · August 30, 2010, 10:14 AM

I use spray graphite, available at most any hardware or farm supply store, but the downside is that you have to be careful not to overapply it, as it'll make the bullets slightly undersized.
Another option to smoke a mold is an aceteylene torch, w/o turning on the oxygen.

Andy

jmorris · August 30, 2010, 10:24 AM

I fire up an acetylene (no oxygen) torch to smoke mine, it works a lot better than a candle.

August 28, 2010, 01:45 AM	#1
deepcore Senior Member Join Date: July 25, 2010 Posts: 364	Alternatives to Frank. Arsenal mold release/lube? Are they any hardware store alternatives to Frankford Arsenal (or the like) mold release/lube? Thanks

August 28, 2010, 03:45 AM	#2
kiwi56 Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2009 Location: Auckland NewZealand Posts: 350	Mould Release All I have ever used is to smoke the mould with a burning candle usually once at the start of a days production is enough.

August 29, 2010, 10:32 AM	#6
dahermit Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2006 Location: South Central Michigan...near Posts: 6,501	Another alternative for a mold release agent is to use a common lead pencil to coat the sharp surfaces of bullet mold. A pencil "lead" is a mixture of graphite, wax, and clay. Rubbing the mold will leave a deposit of graphite. As for treating the mold for storage with oils; I do not. I store them dry in a large military ammo can (for .50 cal.), that has a rubber seal. I put a large pack of desiccant in the bottom or the can. I store the molds in an unheated garage in Michigan. I have done this for about 10 years and never had one rust. Using this method, the molds do not have to be degreased before using them. Last edited by dahermit; August 29, 2010 at 10:37 AM.

August 28, 2010, 08:06 PM	#4
deepcore Senior Member Join Date: July 25, 2010 Posts: 364	And WD 40 or Aerokroil in between uses to keep the molds from rusting?

August 28, 2010, 10:07 PM	#5
Raven Armament Junior member Join Date: July 27, 2010 Location: Midwest Posts: 45	2 cycle oil.

August 29, 2010, 11:29 PM	#7
noylj Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2007 Location: Between CA and NM Posts: 860	I have had problems with the oily residue in soot from a candle. A really great "soot" is the acetylene black you get before you turn on the oxygen. You can look for a graphite spray. If it doesn't work, use it in your locks. I use the Franklin Arsenal spray as a solid lubricant for lots of things.

August 29, 2010, 11:33 PM	#8
TXGunNut Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: If you have to ask... Posts: 2,860	I use a butane lighter to burn off the brake cleaner, works good so far. I have a carbide sight smoker that I'll use if that fails.

August 30, 2010, 10:14 AM	#9
farmall Senior Member Join Date: December 7, 2004 Location: Beatrice Nebraska Posts: 613	I use spray graphite, available at most any hardware or farm supply store, but the downside is that you have to be careful not to overapply it, as it'll make the bullets slightly undersized. Another option to smoke a mold is an aceteylene torch, w/o turning on the oxygen. Andy

August 30, 2010, 10:24 AM	#10
jmorris Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2006 Posts: 3,078	I fire up an acetylene (no oxygen) torch to smoke mine, it works a lot better than a candle.