I need a casting for dummies page...

[muaythaitom]

Is there a page on here that shows you from start to finish?----I have all the supplys to smelt into ignots, but am not really sure hot to go about it--or not confident enough. Can I just smelt it in a big heavy duty pot or couldron type thing and ladel it into the ignots I have or will it cool too quickly? I have a bunch I found at the local thrift store to use, I am just not sure if I liquify a bunch of wheel weights take out the clips and go from there if I will be good to go or not. Once I get my moulds do they have directions with them?---I mean I guess pouring hot lead into them isn't too hard in theory but I am guessing there are tons of tricks to getting them to come out right....then I guess they would have to be sized lubed and loaded? Am I over-thinking this --should I just go for it---or read up some more? How do you store your massive piles of lead once they are in blocks without contaminating everything in your house or garage?

[sundog]

Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook for starters. Read the front section, then reread it. It got pictures and everthang. The folks here the best. We'll spend time with you.

This is not going to be an over night process. I've geen at it for 35 years and still learning.

[454PB]

I actually think if a person read enough on this forum and used the search, he could start casting. However, if you get the Lyman Cast Bullet manual, there are very good directions.

I'd suggest you start small and inexpensive. The Lee boolit moulds come with rudementary instructions. Also, for smelting a Coleman camp stove works well for smaller batches (20 pounds or less), and most "gunny" types own one already. The smelting container should be a fairly small quart to two quart container, non aluminum. You can either buy a Lee or Lyman ingot mould, or just use DRY aluminum cans. I'd suggest filling aluminum cans no more than half full to start.

You can use the same heat source and pot for casting. Lee also sells a sizing kit, which fits any standard loading press, and the sizer comes with Lee liquid alox to lubricate the boolits after casting.

Bottom line, for $50, you will have your first mould, sizer and lube, and a pot for casting. Get the Lyman or RCBS ladle, the Lee ladle is a bad joke.

[45nut]

http://goatlipstips.cas-town.com/

Ole Goatlips put together a really nice page..have a look.

[wills]

Other instructions with some pictures

http://www.longrangebpcr.com/Part1.htm
http://www.longrangebpcr.com/Part2.htm


Casting with pictures
http://www.lymanproducts.com/lymanproducts/images/Bullet%20Guide.pdf
Lyman Lubesizer
http://www.lymanproducts.com/lymanproducts/Instruction%20Guide%2014.pdf

[waksupi]

Make sure your melting pot, is not aluminum. It will not hold up.

Lead contamination in the house and garage? As long as you don't lick the ingots frequently, and wash your hands after handling them, it is a non-problem.

And, it takes a lot of lead, to make a massive pile!

welcome aboard, and have fun.

[wills]

... As long as you don't lick the ingots frequently, ... it is a non-problem.
.
Now if you hadn’t said that it would never have occurred to anyone.

[44man]

I would say the easiest way is to read what was posted and start casting. Then if you have any problems, come back and ask.

[muaythaitom]

GREAT INFO.--thanks all---I got a few ignots and a heavy duty cast iron pot that looks like it was used for smelting before---also a small ladle with a half cover and spout{$5 for everything}-----I appreciate the info---I am going to pick up the book today