Looking To Get Started

[OKLHUNTER]

I have some lead collected and stored away but don't have equipment to start processing it yet. What equipment would be good to start with for someone who is on a budget? I saw some of the posts with home made smelters but am limited to space. My goal is to mold some 9mm, 40S&W and 30-30.

The lead I currently have is some lead ingots made from range pick ups and some previously molded bullets of a caliber that I don't use.

[dbosman]

I smelt, and can cast, using a $5.00 surplus stainless steel steam table condiment tray on a gas powered Coleman Stove. My spoon, skimmer, ladle, and ingot mold is a $2.00 "soup" ladle.
One thing I really like about the condiment tray is that after ladling out what I can, the remaining lead can be popped out when it's cool and the powder residue many of us get, can be wiped right into my trash container.

Muffin style ingot from the ladle fit a Lee pot, very nicely.

[John Boy]

What equipment would be good to start with for someone who is on a budget? What ever your budget dollar is ... BUY A THERMOMETER! Here's the best and cheapest one ... http://www.teltru.com/p-272-big-green-egg-primo-grill-dome-kamado-replacement-thermometer-lt225r-5-inch-stem-2001000-degrees-f.aspx

And read this article how to cast ... http://www.longrangebpcr.com/8Phases.htm

The fellas will tell you the rest of the stuff!

[dbarnhart]

I got started casting for under $100 and that included the lead. I did it by being patient and buying used equipment on Craigslist:

$16 for a used Lee casting furnace, thermometer, and ingot mold bought from another caster.

$20 for my first Lee mold

$19 for a Lee Sizer/Lubrication kit

$20 for welders apron and gloves and safety goggles from Harbor Freight.