New at castin round balls
 

Well Boys, it ain't PC, and it ain't Lee, but it's doin the job, And this old longhaired redneck likes it, I seen the ingot mold on the Lee sight for $11.25, I found this at a yard sale this mornin for $6, I guess this was a cookie maker or some such,
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...bles/ingot.jpg
0k, let me hear it,, if your pickin on me then your leavin some one else alone ;>)~~

That was orginally for making cornbread. Get it....little ears of corn...LOL.
I too am getting into "running ball." Have not actually done it yet, not time. I have a question. Will a camp stove provide enough heat to melt lead? How about a propane torch?

Thanks.

This is how I am doin it now, Just to clean up and get the good clean lead, It's goin fast, faster then I thought, I will order my electric stove and stuff tomorrow,,
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...les/meltin.jpg

Nyghtfall,

I see this is only your 4th post; Welcome to the Forum. You came to the right place since we have many very knowledgeable folks here who will be glad to assist.

Yes, a camp stove will melt lead, #2 Alloy or whatever else needs melting to make bullets. My casting camp stove has lots of lead spatters and has done fine by me for 30 years. Be sure to cast outdoors to avoid bad fumes, wear eye protection to prevent injury from spatters and use heavy gloves and long sleeves to prevent burns.

I like casting as much as shooting the resulting product of casting efforts. Keep pets and small kids away from the hot lead. The Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook is a good source of guidance on casting matters.

Adam

Nyghtfall
I'm done for the day,, This ain't bad, (cleanin the lead that is)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3.../1st-batch.jpg

remember not to cast in the rain .water hitting molten lead is like cooking bacon naked .

Thanks for the advice. Will have to give it a try this weekend.

Nice pile of lead there.

It may not be "P.C.", but it definitely is country!;)

I know fellows who used old muffin tins for the same purpose.....they also made decoy weights for waterfowling by pouring melted lead into the tin, then place in a nail bent in a "U" for something to tie the decoy cord to.

Mornin Mr. 16 gauge
]It may not be "P.C.", but it definitely is country!;)

I like that thought,,,

Man talk about bringing back memories,my Grandmother used to use one of those.If it makes ignots you can use ,works for me.Yes a camp stove is what I use to melt my lead.Lee sales a small melting pot that holds four pounds,works great.

Good to see you getting started Hobbles. Ingots look good. I use muffin pans for mine. Years gone by Nyghtfall but I've cast many a roundball on a coleman stove too. Like was said, stay away from rain. Sweat drops will do it too.

Afternoon boys,
The questions begin,,
I got my melter today, I have a 45 cal mold I am learning on till my 527 one gets here, Now,,, I have fine wavy lines in the balls, I changed the temp up and down and leaned the mold but I still get em,, I smoked then but am still doin something wrong, I did get 1 darn near perfect, but that was out of bout 150,, What's my next move??

I know it's hard to sea, I am hopin some one knows what I am talkin bout,,, I don't
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...bles/balls.jpg

hobbles

Either your lead is too cool or your mold is too cool or both.

Viper1

Lead probably isn't up to temp. Did you get that Lee bottom pour or which?

Mornin quigleysharps4570
Did you get that Lee bottom pour or which?


Yep, I got the Lee 420 bottom pour, I guess I got to clean the mold up some, Mine didn't come out like yours,,, yet,,,

Mornin Viper1
Either your lead is too cool or your mold is too cool or both.

I'm thinkin it's something else, I played with the temp,

hobbles,

Are you using an aluminum or steel mould? The aluminum mould heats up pretty quickly and casts good balls. Those wavy lines indicates the mould is not up to temperature. You lead is probably hot enough, or it would not pour. I preheat my steel moulds by placing them near the heat source. I pour the mould full and let it sit a minute or two to transfer heat to the mould. I do that a time or two and then the mould is hot enough for the balls to fill out properly. If your mould gets too hot, the balls will have a frosted appearance. Hope this helps.

Adam

Hobbles here's a set-up that you could really crank out those roundballs with. :)
http://magmaengr.com/item.php?id=33

Mornin boss,
I am usin the Lee aluminum mold, I was told to clean the mold and it would do better,, That's next,,, I casted bout 150 and the mold seemed hot,
I have to wait a few days befor I can try again,, I got rain,,, darn,,

Yep, that would do it, But that would take all the fun out of it,, (i hear)

Well boys, All the right parts came in and I made 300 balls this mornin, They came out pretty darn good too!, I found a important fact out tho,, I found out that if the balls don't come out right, to come back on here and re-read the directions you all gave me ,, Then, if they still don't come out right, then follow the directions you all gave me on here,, Life is good,,,

Viper1
You were right, the lead was not hot enough,, and, the mold was not hot enough either,,

Sounds like you already got her figured out, but I will add this little bit of wisdom: Make sure you clean new molds with some mineral spirits before you smoke them......smoking molds with a thin film of oil on them (from the machining process) doesn't allow the carbon to lay down on the mold; it 'float's on the top of the oil, and makes it harder to get rid off. The result is also 'wrinkly balls" (sounds like a disease, don't it!;) :D ) as well.
.....now that I have added my 2 cents, I'll shut up.:)

Mornin Mr. 16
"wrinkly balls"
Yep. I went through that yesterday, and it was cause I didn't clean the mold,,(follow the derections)
as for the " .....now that I have added my 2 cents, I'll shut up.:) Nope!! I am here to learn, I'll listen , to anyone,, I ain't proud,, ;>)~~

Hobbles, I'm glad to see you're getting this whole casting operation up and running so fast and with good quality results...I sure wouldn't want my .595's to have wrinkles on them...:D

Mornin roundball
I'm startin to like makin my own shot, (rb)

alcohol also will remove oil from metal .and some with brake cleaner both leave no residue.