got set up and started today w/pics

[colbyjack]

well folks my lead pot came in the other day. all i was waiting on was my lube. and thanks to lar45 he hooked me up with some lube. it showed up before the tracking number could track. fast service and packaged real well.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f186/hawgz/firstboolits006.jpg

heres the Drip O Matic nothing fancy but good for the me the new guy

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f186/hawgz/firstboolits008.jpg

i thought it was fun, and it went pretty well. i need to get something to nock open the sprue cutter, i got this lil wood bat and its taking a beating.

heres my 1st boolit session, H&G 68's. not many yet but just wanted to try before i went to dinner.

finally got the star set up and in the basement its a lil cool. i cant afford a base heater. so i made one. it can be seen here. it works well, kinda backwoods but hey it works.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f186/hawgz/firstboolits007.jpg

i orginally thought the bench might be a touch to big... naaa just right or maybe its to small... lol

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f186/hawgz/firstboolits001.jpg

should i leave pressure on the the star when im done or turn the handle back to remove pressure?

also how much do i have to crank the star lube handle down for the lube? i dont want to over do it or break it.
-chris

[Shiloh]

Looks Good!! :-D

Need some tunes and a way to vent the pot and you're good to go. Send us some pics after your area has "seasoned" a few thousand boolits. Need to see the scorch marks, lube smears, lead splatters ect...

I have been quite pleased with the Larsen BAC lube that you show.

Shiloh :castmine:

[454PB]

I always relieve the pressure on my Star sizer. There's no reason to leave it pressurized, and it might weaken the spring inside the lube chamber. I also leave a boolit in the sizing die to prevent leakage.

I suggest you alter your "boolit catcher". Dropping sized boolits on top of each other will cause dings and dents. I personally catch each one in my hand and place them into a storage container nose up, but a lot of guys build an angled ramp to deposit them into a padded container.

[colbyjack]

wonder if i put a angled cardboard or something in there to soften the drop. or put a handtowel in there.... i was going to do a PVC angled pipe to roll down into a tub but i thought it'd be in the way. -chris

[mroliver77]

Very nice setup for a noob!! Actually way nice compared to most setups Ive seen.
I agree about the boolit catcher. I have a drawer under mine that can be pulled out when needed. I use a towel for a ramp to a container and kinda work them in by hand. Works well for me. I melted some tin and used angle iron for a "mold" I use the tin bars for a mallet to open sprue. It works very well. J

[Yance]

Nice setup Colbyjack!

Don't worry about the big Lee leaking a little. Just make sure to double flux your alloy before casting ingots for the pot and drips will be rare. A light "peck" on top of the valve rod usually takes care of the problem on mine.

As to something to whach the sprueplate with besides the little ballbat, you have it on the end of you right arm. Yup, it's yer hand!!![smilie=s: After your mould gets up to temp sprues should cut easily with a PUSH from your GLOVED hand. That's all I ever use on the sprueplate, but keep a very light wood mallet handy for getting the attention of stubborn bullets.

That H&G mould shouldn't need much whackin' anyway. I have a VERY old Geo. A. Hensley #68 from where he was starting out on his own in the mid 30's.

Keep on castin' and see how long you can make it before you have to expand your bench.