Newbie - Casting suggestions welcome

[mikeper]

I have been reloading for over a year and I really enjoy doing it but considering to get into casting and I haven't decided on what equipment to purchase. I was hoping someone may have some suggestions on what I am looking at.

I have an old LP Gas furnace with pot and ladles that was used to melt babot for wire rope ends for winch cables. I thought should suffice as the furnace.

I have been looking at the Lee two or six cavity molds for 45 acp 230 gr ball.
I also was planning to get the Lee sizer die .452
Lee Alox lube
Gas Checks
misc odds and ends.

My lead supply so far has been a local stained glass shop was wanting to get rid of a 100 lb box of lead scrap, I was happy I could help her. I thought I would melt this up while looking for other sources like wheel weights.

I plan to do this in my garage and I have a old furnace squirrel cage fan mounted in the ceiling to exhaust the lead fumes out of the garage.

[454PB]

Welcome to the forum!

Sounds like you have a good plan there. Keep us informed and don't be shy to ask questions once you get started.

[mooman76]

Welcome Mikeper
The lead from glass shops is relly soft lead. It will work at slow speeds but you may need to add something to make it harder or better yet swap it with wheel weights with someone who shoot muzzle loaders they need the soft lead! Good luck!

[wills]

Use the search feature and search for "newbie" , also you might take a look at
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=6774

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=6520

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=6203

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=6108

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=6059

And do not believe everything you read about sheep.

[testhop]

welcome to the forum
dont forget gloves safey glasses long shirt and pants

[Buckshot]

............Hi mikeper, and welcome! Your propane furnace setup will be the bee's knees for rendering down scrap. You COULD use it for casting but it's overkill plus it will be hard to regulate the temp. In the winter it might be a plus for the extra heat in your garage, but that would be it's only benefit. Plus it won't be so pleasant casting next to something that sounds like a jet plane.

You really REALLY need a dedicated casting furnace. Clean, quiet, doesn't take up much room, and you don't have to run to town to refill it's gas tank :-) If you can swing the Lee 20 pound, that's what I recommend for someone starting out. BTW, you probably won't need those GC's you have listed. The friggin things cost about 3 cents each these days, so don't buy any until you end up with a boolit design that needs them.

.............Buckshot