New-redisign of lee 2 cavities?

[snuffy]

It looks like Lee has changed the design of the Round Ball molds. At least they did on this one;

http://photos.imageevent.com/jptowns/general/websize/lee%20new%20mold%20001.jpg

http://photos.imageevent.com/jptowns/general/websize/lee%20new%20mold%20003.jpg

http://photos.imageevent.com/jptowns/general/websize/lee%20new%20mold%20004.jpg

Gone are the big extruded ears that lock the mold in front to back, and the twin pins on the bottom that lock top to bottom. Replaced with pins like on the 6 cavity molds, and most other designs. Also,,,---FINALLY a stamped diameter on the top of the mold blocks. Not some @%*!* number you have to look up, or make a note of.

Anybody else see any like this? If they're gonna make all 2 cavity molds like this, I say bravo, and IT'S ABOUT TIME!

Another thing I noticed, is the cavity looks like it is machined with a cherry, not the old method of pressing a carbide ball into undersized cuts to final the size and make a smoother surface. I could see very minor chatter marks in the cavities.

[geargnasher]

That's a new one to me, maybe Lee is making a much-needed design transition on the two-bangers?

Gear

[tomme boy]

Several other have got the new design as well. One got a letter from LEE saying he had the very first mold of the new design. About time they came around.

[Shiloh]

The six cav LEE molds are better made molds because of the pinned locating arrangement.
I like it. Now, If LEE would make a six cav version of the .40 cal 145 gr mold, that would even be better.

Shiloh

[snuffy]

Well some others are getting them too! Great news.

One thing I forgot to mention, the fly cutter type of vent lines are not as deep as on other lee molds. I had to fight the wrinkles and monster voids at first.

It's been many years since I last made any RB. I though maybe I forgot how!:?

I was pressure casting from a ladle pot with a Lyman ladle held tight at 90 deg. then rotated vertical. I got a fold/wrinkle in the same place. I then held the mold vertical, rotated the ladle to vertical while hitting the sprue chamfer. That was better, but still about 50% rejects. The pure lead I was using was @ 800-850 in the little 4 pound lee ladle pot. Holding the mold in contact with the melt, got 'er good an hot, so mold temp wasn't the cause.

Finally, by accident, I found that dropping the lead in a stream hitting the hole dead center, SLOWLY made perfect casts every time,(well as perfect as this world gets)! Had some lead spill out the back side of the ladle, dropping into the back cavity, like I said by accident.[smilie=w:

My take is the vent lines need to be deeper to allow the air to get out of the way.

[sthwestvictoria]

Some mentioned a rumor on here that Lee Precision were going to be offering Ranch Dog designs.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=171476&highlight=lee+ranch

I would have bought the RD molds if they were two cavity only. Lee would do well with a TL .30, like a heavier TL314-90-SWC