4 Cavity Lyman Mold gained weight

[neilin]

I have been using a 4 cavity Lyman bullet mold for more than 30 years, under a Lee melting pot. I have to hold it up to the spout, of course. Well this mold has gotten heavier over the years, and I cast for about an 8 hour period. This wears my arm out. The truth of the matter is, I am older and cannot handle the mold as easily as I could 30 years ago. Does anyone have an idea for some type of rail I could build to set the mold on and slide it under the spout from cavity hole to cavity hole while casting?

[stubshaft]

Although I ladle cast today, back in the day I did use old drippy and used to put some ingots of lead underneath the spout to rest the mould on.

[onondaga]

Take a look at some pictures of the Lee 4-20 pot, it has a mold guide that is adjustable for height and rotates to center molds under the spout. But you could make something like that for your pot and it will take the weight when pouring.

http://www.possibleshop.com/reload-lead-melter.html
Pic of lee pot with guide


http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://media.midwayusa.com/productimages/large/868/868073.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx%3FproductNumber%3D868073&usg=__iAeUJQiMLNR9Tjs2FeGOZlJyMAI=&h=375&w=500&sz=21&hl=en&start=2&zoom=1&tbnid=OuH6tdd41nzAUM:&tbnh=98&tbnw=130&ei=vYGBTePxLMXcgQe3372QCA&prev=/images%3Fq%3DLee%2Bmold%2Bguise%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den %26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D606%26 tbs%3Disch:10%2C1335&um=1&itbs=1&biw=1280&bih=606

Pic of Lyman mold guide.

Gary

[BCall]

I have a Lee 20 and Lyman 20lb pot. I like the mold guide the Lyman has, and it works great with Lyman molds, but other molds don't want to fit as they are too wide. I made a couple of simple blocks of wood, covered them in aluminum flashing, and used some small aluminum angle screwed on at the width of the mold I am using. I made several blocks, one for each type of mold I have, set for the width of that style of mold. Then I clamp it to the base of my pot. I can move it easily to align, add thin blocks of wood underneath to adjust the distance to the spout. It was cheap and easy and worked for me. And my pot and the blocks are clamped to the bench so they don't move.

[neilin]

Take a look at some pictures of the Lee 4-20 pot, it has a mold guide that is adjustable for height and rotates to center molds under the spout. But you could make something like that for your pot and it will take the weight when pouring.

http://www.possibleshop.com/reload-lead-melter.html
Pic of lee pot with guide


http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://media.midwayusa.com/productimages/large/868/868073.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx%3FproductNumber%3D868073&usg=__iAeUJQiMLNR9Tjs2FeGOZlJyMAI=&h=375&w=500&sz=21&hl=en&start=2&zoom=1&tbnid=OuH6tdd41nzAUM:&tbnh=98&tbnw=130&ei=vYGBTePxLMXcgQe3372QCA&prev=/images%3Fq%3DLee%2Bmold%2Bguise%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den %26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D606%26 tbs%3Disch:10%2C1335&um=1&itbs=1&biw=1280&bih=606

Pic of Lyman mold guide.

Gary
Thanks for taking the time to give the web addresses!

[neilin]

I have a Lee 20 and Lyman 20lb pot. I like the mold guide the Lyman has, and it works great with Lyman molds, but other molds don't want to fit as they are too wide. I made a couple of simple blocks of wood, covered them in aluminum flashing, and used some small aluminum angle screwed on at the width of the mold I am using. I made several blocks, one for each type of mold I have, set for the width of that style of mold. Then I clamp it to the base of my pot. I can move it easily to align, add thin blocks of wood underneath to adjust the distance to the spout. It was cheap and easy and worked for me. And my pot and the blocks are clamped to the bench so they don't move.
This sounds interesting, would you happen to have a picture to share? Thanks!

[bobthenailer]

Now that im older i limit my casting to 1 1/2 hours max actual casting time , but i lube and size for about another hour after casting as i water drop all my bullets from the mould.
Ive use the lyman mould guide to support my moulds on first a Lyman , Saeco and now a RCBS botom pour casting pot.

[songdog53]

I know the feeling, they get heavier lot quicker these days so i have block of oak that i rest mine in these days. Once again it proves getting old is not for timid, but then we don't have but one other choice do we.

[clintsfolly]

I use a cast iron RCBS ingot mold turned upside down. Clint

[Hardcast416taylor]

For weight relief while using my Lyman 4-holers and my RCBS bottom pour pot I did the following. Using the existing mold support rod under the pot I slid one of the set stops all the way to the bend. Next, I put a 2 1/4" long piece of stainless 3/8" pipe on the rod and placed the other set stop to allow rolling movement of the pipe yet keep it from coming off the rod. You still can adjust how high you want the mould to sit under the spout. I use my LEE 6-holers as well as my Lymans with this roller system.Robert

[Huntducks]

I have had both shoulders replaced totaly so I sold most of my bigger molds 4c and up now I use a lot of 2c I just cast a little longer but quit when i'm tired, when I cast I sit down but found a chair that had just the right height so I didn't tire as fast.

[bhn22]

I switched to aluminum moulds. LBT 4 cavity moulds are my favorites.

[RobS]

A simple/cheapest means is to find some scrap wood pieces and mix and match etc the right thickness and cut things down to fit under the pot then simply set your mold on top of things. My dad actually likes this better than the guide on his Lee 20 lbs pot since he cut the wood to cover the base of the pot. I would make sure to not leave the wood underneath while heating up the pot unattended as it could possibly catch fire I suppose. I use an old kitchen pot of my wife's to catch the possible drips etc. when I'm heating up the pot.

[ColColt]

Just think-we thought we'd be 25 forever....didn't happen, did it?:sad: I use to do all my auto repairs but those days are over and have been about ten years.

[neilin]

Just think-we thought we'd be 25 forever....didn't happen, did it?:sad: I use to do all my auto repairs but those days are over and have been about ten years.

I always thought I would be in my 20's. I was surprised when I hit 30. I should have switched parties, and demanded a recount!