Ingot Molds

[One Gun Andy]

Hi Guys,

Would you be so kind as to share your favorite ingot mold designs with me? As my status indicates, I'm pretty green at this.

I always appreciate the wealth of information available here!

One Gun Andy

[Reverend Recoil]

I use cast iron corn bread molds for my lead ingots. The import corn bread molds only cost $10.

[imashooter2]

I like the factory 1 pound brick molds. Lyman, RCBS or SAECO.

http://home.comcast.net/~imashooter2/pictures/lastww10-12-600.jpg

[MrWolf]

I have both the cornread and rcbs ingots in cast iron. Ingots stack nicer but you cant beat the price for the cornbread moulds.

[twc1964]

I use cast iron muffin and corn bread pans. garage sales are ok for finding these. i found 4 pans that make 7 ingots each for 18.00. Works for me.

[bangerjim]

Cookware may be cheap, but totally non-functional for stacking and storage of lead the way we use it.

I vote 110% for 1# commercial ingot molds from Lee, Lyman, RCBS. They stack easy, keep your ingots at about a pound for easy mixing of alloys and fit in the casting pot extremely well. Muffins do not fit and are hard to pick up.

I have melted all my old clumsy muffin ingots (cast before I "saw the light") back down to 1# commercial mold ingots after having so much trouble stacking/storing them and having a stack fall over on my foot!!!!!!!

Sometimes cheeeeep...........is not always cheap!

My motto: leave the kitchenware to the cook!

Do what your wallet allows. Save up for good REAL ingot molds!

bangerjim

[jsizemore]

Muffin tins. I'm not into stacking.

[dikman]

Depends whether you're talking about buying molds or making your own. Muffin-type things are fine if you're only talking relatively small amounts, I guess, but as bj says they are very inefficient when it comes to storing them in any quantity!

If money isn't a problem, then buy the commercial molds. Me, being a cheapskate, made angle-iron molds, which to me are almost a perfect shape.

[500MAG]

I use different ones for different types of lead so I can mix when casting. I use corn cob cornbread molds for COWW and the Lee and Lyman ingots for SOWW. I also use a mini corn cob mold for pewter.

[dragon813gt]

Cookware may be cheap, but totally non-functional for stacking and storage of lead the way we use it.


You post this false statement all the time. I've posted the pics of the ingots I make using mini loaf pans all the time. They stack perfectly. If you stack them one up/one down they lock into place. The right "cookware" pan is perfectly functional and suited to a casters needs.

These are the pans.
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa39/dragon813gt/TimeToMakeAmmo/511C58CC-1A10-4C02-B471-067CCD5F7235-39648-000024655E843BAC.jpg

These are the ingots.
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa39/dragon813gt/TimeToMakeAmmo/17E85211-EB90-485D-BCE4-01B51A655109-16208-00000AF9069C08BF_zps3d29d554.jpg

Here is the box where they are all stacked the same way.
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa39/dragon813gt/TimeToMakeAmmo/16F61808-85F4-4324-B649-6A50ECBF3BE3-14876-00000BB065D98F5E.jpg

Like all tools if you care for them they will last a lifetime. I've run a couple tons through mine and they are still going strong.

[HITEK REDNEK]

Dikman,
Angle iron huh would you be so kind to post a few pics of your homemade ingot molds, I myself am really into making my own stuff, would like to see your take on one.

Thanks Eric.

[500MAG]

Dragon, where can I pick up some of those loaf pans?

[Bored1]

I have been using the cornbread cast irons that make little corn ears of lead. Works well for me! Found a bunch super cheap at thrift stores. Each one weighs right about a pound and I got 4 of em for 10$ when first trying to decide. At 4 to 1 $ wise I will take the cast irons cornbread tins everyday! Store them if old coffee cans standing up and it works great!

[jsizemore]

Dragon, where can I pick up some of those loaf pans?

I've seen those at Walfart.

[marvelshooter]

Dikman,
Angle iron huh would you be so kind to post a few pics of your homemade ingot molds, I myself am really into making my own stuff, would like to see your take on one.

Thanks Eric.
While you are waiting for Dikman's pictures here are the ones I made. The angle iron is 1/4 x 2 cut 5" long and cut so there is a 1/8" draft on the end plates. Ingots weigh about 2 1/2 pounds.109604

[bangerjim]

You post this false statement all the time. I've posted the pics of the ingots I make using mini loaf pans all the time. They stack perfectly. If you stack them one up/one down they lock into place. The right "cookware" pan is perfectly functional and suited to a casters needs.

These are the pans.
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa39/dragon813gt/TimeToMakeAmmo/511C58CC-1A10-4C02-B471-067CCD5F7235-39648-000024655E843BAC.jpg

These are the ingots.
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa39/dragon813gt/TimeToMakeAmmo/17E85211-EB90-485D-BCE4-01B51A655109-16208-00000AF9069C08BF_zps3d29d554.jpg

Here is the box where they are all stacked the same way.
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa39/dragon813gt/TimeToMakeAmmo/16F61808-85F4-4324-B649-6A50ECBF3BE3-14876-00000BB065D98F5E.jpg

Like all tools if you care for them they will last a lifetime. I've run a couple tons through mine and they are still going strong.

Most people do NOT use you rectangular pans like above. Those are definitely good shapes and will stack. Those stupid round tapered ones are what most seem to gravitate to because they are found for a buck at cheap stores.

I like and would definitely use what you have above. They are almost like the trapezoidal commercial ones! I have never seen those at any stores I frequent.

Good idea!

banger

[HITEK REDNEK]

Marvelshooter,
Nice work & thank you for the pics. Now them wouldn't be crazy hard to stack but you would definitely need to stack em a particular way so they wouldn't come crashing down on the toes.

Thanks Eric.

[Joe504]

I think this is what Dragon uses. He has convinced me to go this route.

http://mobile.walmart.com/ip/Perfect-Results-Mini-Loaf-Pan-8-Cavity-3.8-x-2.5/33591929?type=search

[country gent]

I made some angle iron ingot molds with 1/2" X 2" x 2" cut 10" long mine use 2" flat stock for the ends and have 5 cavities per mold. You can also use channel iron as it also as some "draft" to the sides and makes a nice size shape ingot. Cut ends so there is "draft" for ingot to release easily. Also plate ends should be slightly taller than cavity stock so it can cool easier. Straight saw cuts and weld on the outside will make a ingot mold that drops ingots easily and look good. If you only cast one alloy engrave id with 1/8 ball burr what it is about .030 deep in cavitues and when they come out will be identified

[Digger]

109619109620
10-4 on what Dragon says .... mine are two pounders ...can't get much more in a milk crate .

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

This has become my fav
it makes 2+ lb ingot, fits in any Lee Pot and the ingots fit snuggly in a small flat rate shipping box.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?182997-Cast-Boolits-Ingot-Mold&p=2270419&viewfull=1#post2270419

[Sekatoa]

I use different ones for different types of lead so I can mix when casting. I use corn cob cornbread molds for COWW and the Lee and Lyman ingots for SOWW. I also use a mini corn cob mold for pewter.

I do the same. I collect ingot suitable molds like some collect bullet molds. I have obtained a collection of various cast iron molds, so that pure, COWW, tin &pewter, lyman #2, Linotype all have there own mold. Even 50/50 solder has a mold, so after I've used the marked part of the bar, I make a smaller solder type bar of the rest. I know without marking them the alloy. I won't mix them up when they are cooling or out if there box. I mostly get them cheap from flea markets, but occasionally get one I'm especially interested in of eBay. I mostly only use molds that will produce ingots that will fit my pots, except for larger batches of pure. I store the ingots in labeled tins, also repurposed from Christmas cookies, etc., so stacking isn't an issue. The tins are also labeled.

For factory ingot molds, I prefer the older style Lyman's, and the old RCBS molds without the logo. I also use Lee molds where I have removed the logo. These make smooth surface ingots that I can use my lee hardness tester on easily, instead of file a flat on bullets. They also make a good surface if you stamp your ingots to make them, which I sometimes do.

Not for the newbie, a little obsessive, and not the cheapest way to go, but I enjoy this as much as the rest of the hobby. I guess to me its like "Cast Ingots" ....

But I started this as I have a tendency to go real deep in a hobby, then life gets in way, and when I return to it years later I need to know what I have with ease.http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/03/ezygy6aq.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/03/va3ypu7a.jpg

[crawfobj]

+1 on the mini loaf pans. I also use a couple of lee ingot molds and a castboolits logo mold made by a member here.

[Sekatoa]

For the non obsessive, on the cheap, and for stacking, loaf pans are a pretty good way to go.

[dikman]

Hitek, these are what I cobbled together out of scrap - not pretty, but they work for me. 2" angle iron, about 4" long, which gives an ingot weight just under 2 lbs. The couple of double ones I needed in a hurry and not having any suitable angle iron lying around I used 2" flat bar welded to make an angle. Don't forget to cut the ends at a slight angle to make it easier to drop the ingots out.
109631

[Green Frog]

I've "gotten by" for years using two Lyman (backwards N) iron and two Lee aluminum moulds. I got one of the Lee moulds with the pot and the other from somebody who had quit using it. Both Lymans came to me in batch buys of used stuff.

I use the Lee mould for a specific alloy I am using at the time and put pure lead and COWW into Lyman ingots and mark them. I guess I'm under-thinking this since my "system" is so simple, huh?

Froggie

[HITEK REDNEK]

Dikman,
Them are nice as well & look like they would work perfect, I really like the added wooden handle, good job & idea.

Thanks Eric.

[BNE]

Rectangular mini muffin pans are great. I have one that makes nice 4# ingots that are very stackable. Walmart sells some, but you have to look. I use the 4# size for bulk storage of COWWs or soft lead, then I also make some one and 1/2 pound ingots so I can mix the alloy I want.

[Beesdad]

109636

For me the best mix of value and performance has been cast iron bread pans... Most were less than $15.00 each on E-bay. They cool very quickly and you can produce high volumes if needed..

[Sekatoa]

Simple is good. Just never been my style.
I find anything cast iron works very well, like bread, muffin, biscuit molds, etc., and most good quality cast aluminum too.

[dikman]

Hitek, the handles are re-bar. I made the 3-gang handle that shape so that I could get a decent two-hand grip on it. Like I said, cheap (I like re-cycling materials where possible).

[HITEK REDNEK]

Dikman,
Funny you just posted that, I'm in the garage right now cutting up some angle iron to make me a few of them. Yes sir I'm all about recycling materials, it's cheaper, fun & passes the time

[One Gun Andy]

I have ordered two sets of Lyman ingot molds. Should keep me busy. Thanks for your insights!

[FISH4BUGS]

I have bought ingot moulds here over the years. I have some that are angle iron, some that are half round, and the good old Lyman and lee 1 lb moulds. Some are short and some are long. Pretty much a mix mash of ingot moulds.
However, the most important thing is quantity. It has done wonders for smelting productivity!

[a.squibload]

Yep, the more molds you have the faster you get done.
I can empty my propane tank pot without waiting for ingots to cool.
Stamp a code with a cheap Harbor Freight stamper set, won't matter what
shape they are. Besides, $15 buys a lot of powder (well it used to)
or a lot of 50¢ garage sale muffin pans.
Round ingots stack fine, and the box will be lighter!

Angle iron molds are good, I need to make more.

Sekatoa, I like that spaceman ingot!

+1 on cast aluminum, stamped aluminum works OK but will bend in the middle
when you pick it up to dump out the ingots. I cut that one in half.

[boho]

110292 Mini ash tray cast iron skillets 10 for $10 at the flea market. Makes 20 oz ingots.

[Le Loup Solitaire]

Mini ash tray cast iron skillets do an excellent job of making ingots. A lot of them were made by Wagner and Griswold and those tend to be more expensive. Lodge still makes them for less $$$ and unmarked ones found here and there should not be more than $5....some have sponsors' names cast in to the bottoms if you don't mind that. Ingots drop out easily from them, but you'll need a pliers to turn them over; get several ashtrays as they tend to get overheated if you pour too fast and more time is need to have them harden. LLS

[jmorris]

I made mine from 14ga steel a lot like #15 but with a lip to grab onto. Turns out to make a ingot about 22lbs (depending on alloy) but my pot holds a little over 60lbs.

[boho]

Yep Le Loup one of mine has that. No need for pliers, by the time I fill 10 its nothing Wells Lamont gloves can't handle. These ingots stack really well in the small crates I've made that hold 120 lbs +\-.[ATTACH=CONFIG]110403

[Lead Bandit]

I will have to pick a few of those up.