Dirty linotype - the solution?

Big Bunny · June 17, 2001, 10:18 PM

Having problems with flecks of dross/dirt in the projectile surface after lead-casting LEE ingots and some .308 rifle bullets.

Material is bulk linotype bar from an old newspaper source and very hard indeed.

I have fluxed 8 times and still get the dross appearing, leading to a 60% rejection rate from my 10lb Lee Production bottom-pour leadpot.

I am using 'Blue and Grey' flux powder using a "bubbling" deep incertion method used by the old newspaper workers. Allox and paraffin wax also was tried [in desperation.]

Stirring and scraping with a small perforated spoon also was used to raise the dross from the bottom of the pot. Refining is improving the metal clarity - but it is taking ages to get 10lb to work with.

What have I done wrong? Should I refine it comprehensively before (EG in a larger gas pot) before it is used in a smaller furnace ?

Any ideas from other casters welcome.

BigG · June 17, 2001, 11:09 PM

Did you try beeswax? It worked for me. HTH

Rottweiler · June 18, 2001, 07:08 AM

Try fluxing with Marvelux from Brownells. www.brownells.com I bought a can of it on a whim about 15 years ago and never went back to parrafin & beeswax. No smoke when fluxing or nasty fumes when lead comes from lead from questionable sources. Great stuff

Paul B. · June 18, 2001, 10:11 AM

Big Bunny. How clean is your pot? All the fluxing in the world won't give you good clean meatal, if the pot is dirty.
Here's what you do. Fire up the pot and drain all the metal. Using gloves, turn the poy upside down and make sure all remaning metal and loose debris falls out. Let the pot cool down. Now here comes the wierd part. Fill the pot with water, and set the heat on #3. Let the pot come to a rolling boil, and with a good wire brush, (toothbrush size) scrub the pot thoroughly. You will be surprised at how clean the pot will get. I usually do this about every third or fourth filling of the pot. You'd be surprised at how fast that crap can build up in your pot. This should help remove all those inclusions from your bullets.
Paul B.

MADISON · June 19, 2001, 08:34 AM

When casting...get the lead HOT. Put a "pea" size ball of BULLET LUBE in the pot. This should cause all the TRASH to come to the top. Then skim the trash off and when it cool down throw it away.

Long Path · June 19, 2001, 01:03 PM

I learn the dangest things here.

I don't think I know anyone here who casts more .30 bullets than Paul B., so I'd consider his possible fix, first.

--L.P.

Bushman556 · June 19, 2001, 10:13 PM

Lots of good ideas, guys! Especially like the idea of cleaning the pot. I've always cleaned my metal in a bigger pot good to begin with as I always used a lot of wheel weights, didn't have lino to work with. Marvelux seemed to work for me. I guess I'm gonna have to get my pot out and see what dirt I can get out after emptying it.

Bushman556

bdhawk · June 21, 2001, 10:14 PM

you linotype is ruined, ship it to me and i will dispose of it properly for you.

June 17, 2001, 10:18 PM	#1
Big Bunny Senior Member Join Date: August 9, 1999 Location: New South Wales - Australia Posts: 605	Dirty linotype - the solution? Having problems with flecks of dross/dirt in the projectile surface after lead-casting LEE ingots and some .308 rifle bullets. Material is bulk linotype bar from an old newspaper source and very hard indeed. I have fluxed 8 times and still get the dross appearing, leading to a 60% rejection rate from my 10lb Lee Production bottom-pour leadpot. I am using 'Blue and Grey' flux powder using a "bubbling" deep incertion method used by the old newspaper workers. Allox and paraffin wax also was tried [in desperation.] Stirring and scraping with a small perforated spoon also was used to raise the dross from the bottom of the pot. Refining is improving the metal clarity - but it is taking ages to get 10lb to work with. What have I done wrong? Should I refine it comprehensively before (EG in a larger gas pot) before it is used in a smaller furnace ? Any ideas from other casters welcome. __________________ Bad boys, bad boys...watcha goin' to do - watcha goin' to do when they come for YOU ?!

June 17, 2001, 11:09 PM	#2
BigG Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 1999 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 4,334	Did you try beeswax? It worked for me. HTH __________________ o "The Earth is degenerating today. Bribery and corruption abound. Children no longer obey their parents, every man wants to write a book, and it is evident that the end of the world is fast approaching." Assyrian tablet, c. 2800 BC o "In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man brave, hated, and scorned. When his cause succeeds, however, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot." Mark Twain o "They have gun control in Cuba. They have universal health care in Cuba. So why do they want to come here?" Paul Harvey o TODAY WE CARVE OUT OUR OWN OMENS! Leonidas, Thermopylae, 480 BC

June 18, 2001, 10:11 AM	#4
Paul B. Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,802	Big Bunny. How clean is your pot? All the fluxing in the world won't give you good clean meatal, if the pot is dirty. Here's what you do. Fire up the pot and drain all the metal. Using gloves, turn the poy upside down and make sure all remaning metal and loose debris falls out. Let the pot cool down. Now here comes the wierd part. Fill the pot with water, and set the heat on #3. Let the pot come to a rolling boil, and with a good wire brush, (toothbrush size) scrub the pot thoroughly. You will be surprised at how clean the pot will get. I usually do this about every third or fourth filling of the pot. You'd be surprised at how fast that crap can build up in your pot. This should help remove all those inclusions from your bullets. Paul B. __________________ COMPROMISE IS NOT AN OPTION!

June 19, 2001, 08:34 AM	#5
MADISON Senior Member Join Date: January 1, 2000 Location: Roanoke, Virginia Posts: 2,678	It's the Bullet Lube When casting...get the lead HOT. Put a "pea" size ball of BULLET LUBE in the pot. This should cause all the TRASH to come to the top. Then skim the trash off and when it cool down throw it away.

June 19, 2001, 01:03 PM	#6
Long Path Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 1999 Location: N. Texas Posts: 5,899	I learn the dangest things here. I don't think I know anyone here who casts more .30 bullets than Paul B., so I'd consider his possible fix, first. --L.P. __________________ "Welcome to The Firing Line, a virtual community dedicated to the discussion and advancement of responsible firearms ownership."T.F.L. Policy Page Will you, too, be one who stands in the gap? ____________

June 18, 2001, 07:08 AM	#3
Rottweiler Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2001 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 391	Try fluxing with Marvelux from Brownells. www.brownells.com I bought a can of it on a whim about 15 years ago and never went back to parrafin & beeswax. No smoke when fluxing or nasty fumes when lead comes from lead from questionable sources. Great stuff

June 19, 2001, 10:13 PM	#7
Bushman556 Junior Member Join Date: June 19, 2001 Location: WV Posts: 6	Lots of good ideas, guys! Especially like the idea of cleaning the pot. I've always cleaned my metal in a bigger pot good to begin with as I always used a lot of wheel weights, didn't have lino to work with. Marvelux seemed to work for me. I guess I'm gonna have to get my pot out and see what dirt I can get out after emptying it. Bushman556

June 21, 2001, 10:14 PM	#8
bdhawk Junior member Join Date: December 22, 2000 Posts: 114	bad linotype you linotype is ruined, ship it to me and i will dispose of it properly for you.