popped my casting cherry

[corey012778]

I finally had a day I could get out and get some casting done. still got a lot to learn but I am a quick learner.

small batch pot
http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd231/corey012778/HPIM0107.jpg

left to remelt and the right gets shot
http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd231/corey012778/HPIM0108.jpg

what yall think?

[44man]

Hey, you take pictures as bad as I do! :mrgreen:
From what I see, they look good. But why are they in the pot?

[corey012778]

nothing else to hold them in right now. but the ones in the pot are going to be remelted, the one in the cup are going to be shot.

I did not realize that the pics where that bad [smilie=1:

[pipehand]

Good effort Corey! Those boolits look pretty good for a first try. What mould is it? WARNING- like loosing the other "cherry" the activity can become rather addictive! Pretty soon you'll be sinking a lot of money into 20 lb electric pots, 4,6,and 8 cavity moulds, and scrounging wheelweights whereever(sp?) you can.

[corey012778]

lee
429-214-swc, using WW.

I am still looking for softer lead.

I am already wanting a couple deferent molds.

[Vly]

Congratulations on your first boolits!

The only question I have is about your melting pot. Is that an aluminum pot? If so, you may want to think about finding a cast iron one. There are reports of aluminum pots failing due to the high heat. A few pounds of molten lead spilling out will ruin your day.

Other than that, have fun!

[NSP64]

Congratulations on your first boolits!

The only question I have is about your melting pot. Is that an aluminum pot? If so, you may want to think about finding a cast iron one. There are reports of aluminum pots failing due to the high heat. A few pounds of molten lead spilling out will ruin your day.

Other than that, have fun!

I agree. Burns from 700 deg lead will hurt.[smilie=1:

[garandsrus]

Corey,

Congratulations on your first boolits!

If you are going to use a dipper, you probably want to get a better dipper. The Lee dipper is pretty worthless for using as anything but a spoon. It's too small and with the open top, it's easy to spill lead. Plus, it is hard to fill from a pot since it's flat.

John

[sundog]

See? That's what so great about all this. I use the Lee ladle. I have one that I've put a curve in the shank, and it's on it's third handle. Works really good. I also use a Lyman and an RCBS dipper from time to time. I have two larger spoons that do the stirring and fluxing duties.

[44man]

That looks like a stainless pan to me.
I agree, it is time for maybe a 20# Lee pot and a Lyman ladle. Just too much work messing with a stove and pans.

[mold maker]

A cheap ladle can be a SS Kitchen tool with a pour spout bent into it. It's easy to do and available at Wally World for a few bucks.

[corey012778]

it is a little stainless pot that I found, I got a 5qt carbon steel and 4 qt cast iron dutch oven. I have a larger ss soup ladle, fry basket, ss slotted spoon, and the lee ladle.

[mroliver77]

Corey,
Your doing fine! I know of guys that have been ladle casting for years over a sauce pan and would not have a bottom pour. Only thing I would change is to get an adapter to use a 20 lb propane bottle. You are a good example of getting started on a shoestring.
J

[corey012778]

thank, right now, you can say I am in between jobs. do money is going to be tight, I would love to get a turkey fryer set up. I don't find one I like :roll:

I think I seen something to take what I have and put a larger tank on I seen it somewhere

[jleneave]

I use a coleman stove simular to the one you are using for smelting WW into ingots. I agree with mroliver77 about the adapter for the 20lbs propane bottle. I started out using the small green propane bottles from Coleman and with both burners going they only last about 30 or 40 minutes. I got a 8ft hose and an adapter to hook up the 20lbs propane tank and it is much easier that way and last a heck of a lot longer too. The money you save not having to buy all those little green bottles will pay for the hose, adapter, and 20lbs tank (if you don't already have one) in no time at all. I just started a few weeks ago and have not casted my first bullet yet. I have been collecting WW and smelting them down into ingots. I got a lee 20lbs production pot with bottom pour for casting the ingots into bullets. I got my 1st mold off ebay, a Lyman 4 cavity 429421, and am saving money to get handles, a RCBS lubrisizer and dies before I start casting bullets. Looks like you are doing fine. Good luck!!