how do you store your molds?

Jack Straw · March 23, 2000, 01:17 PM

I want to find a better method of long term mold storage...something besides oiling the things. It gets pretty humid here in Georgia so that might be my best bet, but I hate the clean-up when I want to cast.

Jack

Paul B. · March 23, 2000, 01:46 PM

Jack. I live in the desert so don't have your problem.

Try this. Get a few G.I. ammo cans (I don't know how many mold you have, so decide on what's right for you) Place the molds in these can with VPI paper. (vapor inhibiting) I have no idea where fo find the stuff, but most of your new guns came wrapped with it. I just keep mine in a tool box, but like I said, I live in the desert. If I were to more to a wetter climate, I would do just as I suggested.
Hope this helps. As much casting as I do, cleaning oil off my molds would take up too much time. :O
Paul B.

Ricciardelli · March 23, 2000, 04:43 PM

When you are done using them, make sure they are dry and dip them in melted wax.

"Clean-up" is simple, just warm them in the oven on top of several layers of paper towels.

Big Bunny · March 23, 2000, 08:30 PM

CRC 'Long Life' spray might be worth a try, should burn off or dissolve with a cheap hydrocardon solvent easily?

[Loved the parrafin wax idea.]

char923 · March 23, 2000, 09:36 PM

I use Birchwood Sheath rust preventive. And clean them with Brake cleaner. I live in Alaska

Randy Garrett · March 23, 2000, 11:28 PM

It seems that everyone has a different way to protect their blocks during storage. We use cast iron blocks that will rust in no time flat, so we cover them with STP oil treatment and wrap them in newspaper for long term storage. It seems to completely protect them from moisture (we're in Washington) and it cleans right off with a dose of brake cleaner.

Best regards, Randy Garrett www.garrettcartridges.com

Southla1 · March 25, 2000, 10:38 PM

Jack, I like you live in a very humid area (South Louisiana). I use a very liberal dose of WD-40 after casting and store the mould in a plastic bag (ziplock)in one of those organizers that have all those little drawers in them. When the time comes to use the mould a good dousing in acetone cleans it just fine, and if the mould is preheated the first bullets come out just fine....not wrinkled at all.

------------------
Carlyle

Fred J. Drumheller · April 5, 2000, 08:35 AM

Put 'em in a GI ammo Can (check for good Seal) With a Vapor Phase Inhibitor Tab from Brownells. No Cleanup necessary when next you use them.

Yr. Obt. Svnt.

------------------
Fred J. Drumheller
NRA Life
NRA Golden Eagle

shooter 90 · April 5, 2000, 09:53 AM

Midway sells a product called DROP OUT.. its a sort of graphite spray that helps the bullets drop out of the mould..
I spray the moulds with this while they are still warm,, then store in a tupperware container,,
you dont have to clean this stuff off when you use them again

shooter90

Alex Johnson · April 5, 2000, 01:09 PM

I don't know if this is the correct way, but I spray them down with WD-40 right after they have cooled off from use and than I slip a couple of freshly cast, lubed, bullets into the cavities. I have never seen any sign of rusting when they are stored like this, I do keep an eye on them from time to time, however.

PDshooter · April 7, 2000, 06:39 PM

Well I think I"ve said this BEFORE ! I have a Hensley & Gibbs #68 Mold (The BMW of molds) I hose it down with WD-40 and wrap a oily rag around it. When I want to use it I clean it off with brake cleaner. Its 10yrs old looks like new. Its a work of ART!!! Jeff

rugercollector · October 24, 2000, 12:11 AM

I shoot them with WD-40 when they are still warm from molding and spray them off with carb cleaner or brake cleaner prior to use. Like PDSHOOTER mine look like new after years of use. For long term storage how about cosmoline and wax paper?

**Mike Irwin** · October 24, 2000, 03:19 PM

I wrap them in butcher's paper and drop them in a GI ammo can with a layer of mothballs in the bottom.

As the mothballs sublimate, the vapor drives off any moisture laden air, keeping the blocks nice and neat. I also store my handguns that way.

------------------
Smith & Wesson is dead to me.

If you want a Smith & Wesson, buy USED!

Bogie · October 24, 2000, 04:35 PM

In the back bottom part of my refrigerator, next to the black & purple lettuce and the bluish-green cheese...

Sorry - just couldn't resist...

Contender · October 25, 2000, 11:13 AM

Ditto to Southla1. Works fine.

October 25, 2000, 04:50 PM

On my bread. Where else would my molds be?

...Darn it Bogie you beat me to it. :P

[This message has been edited by KilgorII (edited October 25, 2000).]

March 23, 2000, 01:17 PM	#1
Jack Straw Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 1999 Location: Georgia Posts: 362	I want to find a better method of long term mold storage...something besides oiling the things. It gets pretty humid here in Georgia so that might be my best bet, but I hate the clean-up when I want to cast. Jack

March 23, 2000, 01:46 PM	#2
Paul B. Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,802	Jack. I live in the desert so don't have your problem. Try this. Get a few G.I. ammo cans (I don't know how many mold you have, so decide on what's right for you) Place the molds in these can with VPI paper. (vapor inhibiting) I have no idea where fo find the stuff, but most of your new guns came wrapped with it. I just keep mine in a tool box, but like I said, I live in the desert. If I were to more to a wetter climate, I would do just as I suggested. Hope this helps. As much casting as I do, cleaning oil off my molds would take up too much time. :O Paul B.

March 23, 2000, 04:43 PM	#3
Ricciardelli Member Join Date: January 26, 2000 Posts: 57	When you are done using them, make sure they are dry and dip them in melted wax. "Clean-up" is simple, just warm them in the oven on top of several layers of paper towels.

March 23, 2000, 08:30 PM	#4
Big Bunny Senior Member Join Date: August 9, 1999 Location: New South Wales - Australia Posts: 605	CRC 'Long Life' spray might be worth a try, should burn off or dissolve with a cheap hydrocardon solvent easily? [Loved the parrafin wax idea.]

March 23, 2000, 09:36 PM	#5
char923 Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2000 Location: Anchorage AK Posts: 237	I use Birchwood Sheath rust preventive. And clean them with Brake cleaner. I live in Alaska

March 23, 2000, 11:28 PM	#6
Randy Garrett Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 1999 Location: Chehalis, WA Posts: 142	It seems that everyone has a different way to protect their blocks during storage. We use cast iron blocks that will rust in no time flat, so we cover them with STP oil treatment and wrap them in newspaper for long term storage. It seems to completely protect them from moisture (we're in Washington) and it cleans right off with a dose of brake cleaner. Best regards, Randy Garrett www.garrettcartridges.com

March 25, 2000, 10:38 PM	#7
Southla1 Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 19, 2000 Location: Jeanerette, La. Near the Posts: 1,999	Jack, I like you live in a very humid area (South Louisiana). I use a very liberal dose of WD-40 after casting and store the mould in a plastic bag (ziplock)in one of those organizers that have all those little drawers in them. When the time comes to use the mould a good dousing in acetone cleans it just fine, and if the mould is preheated the first bullets come out just fine....not wrinkled at all. ------------------ Carlyle

April 5, 2000, 08:35 AM	#8
Fred J. Drumheller Retired Screen Name Join Date: November 17, 2000 Posts: 90	Put 'em in a GI ammo Can (check for good Seal) With a Vapor Phase Inhibitor Tab from Brownells. No Cleanup necessary when next you use them. Yr. Obt. Svnt. ------------------ Fred J. Drumheller NRA Life NRA Golden Eagle

April 5, 2000, 09:53 AM	#9
shooter 90 Junior Member Join Date: February 26, 2000 Posts: 9	Midway sells a product called DROP OUT.. its a sort of graphite spray that helps the bullets drop out of the mould.. I spray the moulds with this while they are still warm,, then store in a tupperware container,, you dont have to clean this stuff off when you use them again shooter90

April 5, 2000, 01:09 PM	#10
Alex Johnson Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2000 Location: Grand Forks, ND Posts: 812	I don't know if this is the correct way, but I spray them down with WD-40 right after they have cooled off from use and than I slip a couple of freshly cast, lubed, bullets into the cavities. I have never seen any sign of rusting when they are stored like this, I do keep an eye on them from time to time, however.

April 7, 2000, 06:39 PM	#11
PDshooter Senior Member Join Date: March 30, 2000 Location: Indiana Posts: 607	Well I think I"ve said this BEFORE ! I have a Hensley & Gibbs #68 Mold (The BMW of molds) I hose it down with WD-40 and wrap a oily rag around it. When I want to use it I clean it off with brake cleaner. Its 10yrs old looks like new. Its a work of ART!!! Jeff

October 24, 2000, 12:11 AM	#12
rugercollector Member Join Date: October 15, 2000 Posts: 35	I shoot them with WD-40 when they are still warm from molding and spray them off with carb cleaner or brake cleaner prior to use. Like PDSHOOTER mine look like new after years of use. For long term storage how about cosmoline and wax paper?

October 24, 2000, 03:19 PM	#13
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	I wrap them in butcher's paper and drop them in a GI ammo can with a layer of mothballs in the bottom. As the mothballs sublimate, the vapor drives off any moisture laden air, keeping the blocks nice and neat. I also store my handguns that way. ------------------ Smith & Wesson is dead to me. If you want a Smith & Wesson, buy USED!

October 24, 2000, 04:35 PM	#14
Bogie Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2000 Location: Job hunting on the road... Posts: 3,827	In the back bottom part of my refrigerator, next to the black & purple lettuce and the bluish-green cheese... Sorry - just couldn't resist...

October 25, 2000, 11:13 AM	#15
Contender Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 1998 Location: NY Posts: 680	Ditto to Southla1. Works fine.

October 25, 2000, 04:50 PM	#16
KilgorII Guest Posts: n/a	On my bread. Where else would my molds be? ...Darn it Bogie you beat me to it. :P [This message has been edited by KilgorII (edited October 25, 2000).]