bullets are layered (look like cake)

[gunoil]

1)most days my bullets are nice, same pot , same lead, turn off and go to bed!

2)next day, same pot/lead, then bullets are layered like a cake instead of smooth.

any ideas.

[BoolitSchuuter]

Sounds like you are having a problem maintaining a consistent temp on your melt and or your mold. Got a thermometer?

[375RUGER]

mould too cold?
did you flux the next day?

[doctorggg]

I'm realitively new at this as well. I've only been casting about 11 months. I have found that when this happens usually the mold isn't hot enough. I heat my molds on a cheap hot plate while the lead is melting. That really helps me avoid the cake layering effect. Also I monitor the lead temperature in my pot with a thermometer.

[462]

Your mould was not up to its optimum casting temperature. A properly pre-heated mould will drop first-cast keepers.

A thermometer, while not a necessary casting tool, eliminates all the mould pre-heating and pot temperature guessing, is a time-saver, and a frustration eliminator.

[mehavey]

A thermometer, while not a necessary casting tool,.... No, No,... say it ain't so !
Where would we OCD types be without direct readout of where we're at? :veryconfu

(Remember, I'm also the guy who uses 750° Tempilaq for neck annealing rather then the thatsaboutrighttime methodology and/or the prettyredglow test) :coffee:

[Suo Gan]

What do you mean layered like cake?

[runfiverun]

it think it has layers of frosting between two layers of a light fluffy delicious bread like substance.
i'm thinking the frosting got too cold and is tearing the cake.

let your stuff heat up longer,and put the corner of your mold in the alloy till the lead quits sticking then start casting.

[Finarfin]

But what do they taste like?

[R.M.]

I wonder if the melt and mold were hot enough, but the pour was too slow.

[RU shooter]

But what do they taste like?

Chicken , but with a slight metallic after taste!

[stubshaft]

Mold and/or melt too cold.

[gunoil]

have lyman thermometer, i will keep mold on hot plate lil' longer. Lee 20lb pot. Will flux every time. Thanks , and will report back.

[Captain_Howdy]

I had this problem before with perfectly hot mold and melt. My problem was my bottom poor pot was getting clogged up and it wasn't flowing enough melt fast enough for a consistant product. I used a piece of .032 safety wire and cleaned out the orifice in the pot. Just pull the handle and run the wire up into the hole as the lead is pouring out. Of course you must use all safety precautions when doing this or you might get burnt. Now I just do this every other time I fire up the pot or as I notice a reduced flow. Simple but effective!

[1Shirt]

You need a hot melt, and a good flow from the pot into a hot mold. Keep those three things in cinc and you will have good cast!
1Shirt!

[gunoil]

I have some .032 wire and safety, thanks capt.,, i'll try. Thats ironic cause it was doing that and i'd heat it a lil' with torch then it would flow a while and clog again. I will flux more often too.

[MtGun44]

Thermometer is completely unnecessary.

Bill

[Eutectic]

Thermometer is completely unnecessary.

Bill

I agree with Bill.

Your mold and alloy are constant thermometers..... all you have to do is read them!

Eutectic