To Hot and Humid to Cast

[Shiloh]

Feels a lot hotter and more humid than the weather says. I need 314299's. It is hard in the 80's with high 60% humidities.
I don't know you you southerners cast, unless it is inside.

Shiloh

[mac60]

Shiloh it's been in the mid 90's with humidity of 70% more or less - just miserable (at the moment - a little after 8 P.M. it's 78 deg. with 93% humidity). I don't do much casting (or shooting for that matter) during the summer. It never bothered me when I was young, but it does now.

[Mytmousemalibu]

Been around 100*F @ 60% or something here. I work in a poorly ventilated hangar in this baloney. The only thing i'm interested in when I get off work is a cold drink and trying to absorb the maximum allowable human dosage of conditioned air possible. Just sucks the lifeforce right out of you...

[Maximumbob54]

This has become a HUGE reason I'm favoring aluminum mold blocks more and more. An hour later and brass feels more like depleted uranium.

[s mac]

The main reason I try to stockpile during the winter, plan ahead. Unless a new mould happens along, got to try it out.

[Shiloh]

I Don't do heat well. 87 the other day with about 70% humidity. I pound down water and Gatorade Zero. Sweat poor off me and my tee shirts are soaking wet after cutting the lawn. Gonna try and get out in the early AM for an hour and a half.
As a younger man, no issues.

Even with the house sealed, the AC at 75-76, I still dump the de-humidifier downstairs daily.

SHiloh

[Digital Dan]

You fellas up nawth got it easy. We run 90*+/90%+ as routine this time of year. Did 400+ bullets about 2 weeks back, mix of .30/.45.

Get a window fan, enjoy the breeze.

[runfiverun]

humidity is a help when casting.
I usually have to add some to the shop.
in the winter it's a pan of water on the wood stove, in the summer I have a small ac unit that takes water.

[Beagle333]

I cast right out here in the great outdoors..... It's going to be 96° again tomorrow (80-90% humidity) and I'll be there. I do have a fan that is just out of the picture to help keep it bearable. The humidity is pretty rough. You can't tell it, but just behind that blue boat in the top of the pic is water that is standing about 4" deep all through the forest. Yup, I live in a swamp.

http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt214/shutupandjump/cast%20boolits/castingarea1_zpsvzmfgepw.jpg

[Mytmousemalibu]

Skeeters must be ferocious! The ones we have here seem to be like small pterodactyls.

[Beagle333]

Yep, they pretty bad.
https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/p526x296/10501756_922369661134398_5296368774847748736_n.jpg ?oh=406d4d902d8b47b4494050db2886ec45&oe=565A0BF3

[wmitty]

Cast a few hours about 2 weeks ago - mid 90's and 70 degree plus dew points. Soaked my shirt and jeans and had to watch out for sweat dripping in the pot. I hate summer in N.E. Texas!

[lancem]

SW Texas is better because of the lower humidity but we hit 105 today in the shade so I'll leave my casting for later in the year...

[NavyVet1959]

I prefer to do my casting in the winter -- all 3 days of the winter.

I was showing my nephew how to cast and reload recently, so I brought my casting pot inside and cast some in air-conditioned comfort. I figure I could get spoiled doing it that way.

[matrixcs]

You fellas up nawth got it easy. We run 90*+/90%+ as routine this time of year. Did 400+ bullets about 2 weeks back, mix of .30/.45.

Get a window fan, enjoy the breeze.

You are sooooo right...
A couple of days ago I cast 2500 45acp swc 91degrees 89% humidity had to keep changing the sweatband to stop the drips...
must be nice to have less than 80% humidity..LOL

[Ole Joe Clarke]

And I thought it was just me...... Humidity bother's me now that I'm older, I guess I'll have to wait till fall to catch up.

[Shiloh]

And I thought it was just me...... Humidity bother's me now that I'm older, I guess I'll have to wait till fall to catch up.

Yup, And I'm up north.
Used to be it wasn't an issue.

SHiloh

[mac60]

Yup, And I'm up north.
Used to be it wasn't an issue.

SHiloh

Y'all sit tight, it's comin'. A few months and it'll cool off - it'll be time to get busy.

[jaydub in wi]

You fellas up nawth got it easy. We run 90*+/90%+ as routine this time of year. Did 400+ bullets about 2 weeks back, mix of .30/.45.

Get a window fan, enjoy the breeze.
we may have it easier, but when it's 85 you are 100 degrees or so from winter's low temps. I cast outside in the summer, but it's still cooler than when I was in Saudi Arabia back in 91
PS Not trying to brag, just trying to keep things in perspective:bigsmyl2:

[WALLNUTT]

Casting is seasonal.

[Echo]

I've got a casting rig out on the patio I can use in decent weather - and our monsoon season (that we are in now) is really not bad, considering I was born & raised in Houston and have experienced humidity. High today is supposed to be 101, but there is an overcast, and, if I were to choose, I could go out in 80* weather, in the shade, with a dew point in the 60's, and cast like a champ. That would come to a close about 11AM...

[Ken in Iowa]

I watch the forecast on Weather Undeground. You can get the dew point forecasts quite easily.

An attached garage is my casting area. I'll pick a morning with low dew point and suitable wind, start the pots at first light and begin casting at dawn.

Sometimes it's a toss up whether to cast or shoot.

[43PU]

Here in KY its in the 90s with 70-80% Humidity, we have to have TWO de-humidifiers and our AC on to keep it to 45% in the house!!!!

[bdicki]

56 degrees here this morning with low humidity. I usually cast in the barn in the evening.

[NavyVet1959]

Y'all sit tight, it's comin'. A few months and it'll cool off - it'll be time to get busy.

Yep... Only another 5 months of summer...

[bedbugbilly]

I think everyone is complaining this summer no matter where they live. I went out to the shop this afternoon here (MI) to do some cleaning and sorting I've been putting off - about two hours later I gave up as the humidity is up enough that I was spending more time wiping sweat away than working! We've actually had three days in a row now with no rain - yet. Overtime we get a decent day, I have to mow and try to keep up with it - it takes me about 3 hours. Seems like I finish and when I look back, it's ready to be done again. Crops that were planted early enough are looking decent but those that were planted later are looking pretty yellow from too much rain. But . . . what would we do if we didn't have anything to complain about. I've put off casting but hope to get some done in the next week or so.

[lightman]

Yeah, its hot and humid here too! I posted a thread last weekend about it being too hot to smelt. Its been in the mid and upper 90's here with high humidity. You get soaking wet just being outside. I had friends coming over to smelt and we just wimped out. Fall will be here, bye and bye.

[NavyVet1959]

It costs a lot to smelt in this sort of weather, once you factor in how much additional beer you end up drinking. :)

[dolang1]

I pull my casting table up out of the way every summer and don't bring it down till the fall. Casting in my garage is just too hot for a wussy like me.

[goryshaw]

Low 90s for the temp, low 20% range for humidity. As long as I'm not in direct sunlight it's comfortable. Unfortunately after about 4 pm the loading bench is in direct sun. Didn't do any casting/smelting, furnace isn't working, but did load up 253x 32 H&R Magnum with RCBS 32-98-SWC I cast last year. Working on loading 200x .45 Colt with RCBS 45-270-SAA that I also cast last year. As soon as the sun drops behind the condo across the street I'll finish the .45 Colts and start on some .45-70 loads.

[Mauser48]

Its probably been in the mid to low 90's here in ca and its just to hot for me to reload. My garage just bakes. I have to wait until about 6:00 pm to start.

[zomby woof]

Casting is seasonal.

Yes sir!

[rr2241tx]

The older I get, the fewer suitable outdoor casting days I find. Now mostly cast indoors and buy my alloy.

[Wayne Smith]

I cast in an attached garage over a gas burner. I keep telling myself that the heat dries out the air and makes it more comfortable ...

[Tom W.]

I go into my shed, turn on the A/C, and go back into the house for an hour or so..... When I decide to get back into the shed, it's usually nice and cool by then.:bigsmyl2:
:bigsmyl2: In the winter I just turn on the little heater.:bigsmyl2:

[murf205]

Yep, too hot to cast. I think I'll just go mow the lawn and cool off! Beagle333, have you been bitten by any yellow flies out there? I got hit 4 weeks ago and it hasn't completely healed yet.

[Shiloh]

Yep... Only another 5 months of summer...

The report from Killeen TX is that it was a balmy 95, with quite tolerable humidity. This last week.

Shiloh

[blikseme300]

It costs a lot to smelt in this sort of weather, once you factor in how much additional beer you end up drinking. :)

The cost saving by preheating the ingots in the sun offsets the price of the liquid refreshments so it's a wash. :bigsmyl2:

I don't stop casting in summer but don't do extended sessions as the 100+* does get a bit much after a few hours. Currently we are in the dog days of summer with heat index exceeding 105* regularly and have cool nights around 80*. Yeah, we reach for cold weather gear when it gets to around 60*.

[NavyVet1959]

The cost saving by preheating the ingots in the sun offsets the price of the liquid refreshments so it's a wash. :bigsmyl2:


Awh, 'ell... In South Texas, you just leave the ingots in the sun and they'll melt all on their own... :)

[Hang Fire]

111 here in this part of AZ on the Colorado River today, but with only 7% humidity, the swamp cooler in the garage brought the temp down to 76 degrees.

[dragon813gt]

Here's an easy chart to read to see where the human body is most comfortable ;)
https://hsiehy3.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/psy_chart.png

I hate the psychometric chart but it contains a lot of information. Once the dew point is above 70 it's downright oppressive. Nowhere for the sweat to evaporate because the air is already saturated. You need a consistent breeze or a fan to stay somewhat comfortable. Dewpoint is already 68 this morning. Calling for a high of 95 and the humidity is currently at 94%. Can't wait to work on a roof all day :)

[bedbugbilly]

Hang Fire - only 111? :-)

We have a place south of Tucson where we winter. I wish I had a dollar for every time I've heard . . "But it's a dry heat!" LOL

[rintinglen]

I cast when I can, but have to concur that there is darned little enjoyment in sitting on the stool with the back of your shirt wringing wet with sweat. My personal best (worst?) is 8 1/2 pounds of 429-421's in 97 degree, moist conditions. I cast for an hour and then had to give up.

[blikseme300]

Hang Fire - only 111? :-)

We have a place south of Tucson where we winter. I wish I had a dollar for every time I've heard . . "But it's a dry heat!" LOL

So is a pizza oven!

[MilSurpFan]

You mean it's not normal to work outside in the 90s to the point your shirt is soaked and the sweat is dribbling off the edges onto the ground?

Wimps! ;)

I did cast some Minies early the other evening about 7ish. Think it had dropped to about 90 by then. Lots of sweating but it's not going to stop me from trying out a new mould. I actually have more problems these days at lower temperatures. Either my hands are too cold and hurt or the gloves needed for warmth are too thick. Rather just sweat, at least it doesn't hurt just to move.

[NavyVet1959]

All in all, I prefer my clothes to get wet from the outside in instead of from the inside out. I was in France back in late April and was was caught in rainstorm. My wife was making a big deal about my getting wet, but I still smiling since even though the outside was wet, I was still dry under all the wet clothes. Even on a "dry" day here, I start out with sweaty underwear and it slowly seeps to the outer layers. :( It's just too humid for the sweat to evaporate and cool you down any around here.

[cajun shooter]

As all of my fellow southern brethren know, It's not hot!!, it's like sticking your head in an oven and then try to breathe. I have a huge problem as I only have my left lung working.
I wanted to cast some the other day as my cabin fever was high and I had my wife help put all of my casting gear on our back porch. Well, it was 98 with 90% humidity and my thought was that I could cast a 1/2 pot or so and then come inside to cool off before going back outside. I never made it as when I started to cast, I could no longer breathe and need to come inside and get some oxygen from my pump.
I have a 12x24 shop that has a 2 1/2 ton unit in it which provides both air and heat but it increases my bill by $150 a month when I use it to cool my shop but have to run the exhaust fans above my casting bench which remove the bad fumes but also the cold air that I'm paying for. Where is October? Later David

[popper]

Made a bunch of 180gr superhard 'ingots' last evening then refilled the pot. Even with the fan on I was soaked but stuff needs to get done.
I did one of those test as a youngster. TC in the rectum, into the sweat shop. One of the last 60% to get pulled out. About froze on the way back to the dorm - on a bright sunny warm day. Had chills for a few hours and took a day to really recover. Wasn't worth the $25 or so for the experiment.

[Shiloh]

111 here in this part of AZ on the Colorado River today, but with only 7% humidity, the swamp cooler in the garage brought the temp down to 76 degrees.
Folks in the humid climes, haven't a clue what a swamp cooler is. They think it may be some sort of adult beverage. ;)

SHiloh

[Tom W.]

I learned of a "swamp cooler" from my late wife's mother, when we went to visit her in California. Wonderful thing, it was.....

[NavyVet1959]

Folks in the humid climes, haven't a clue what a swamp cooler is. They think it may be some sort of adult beverage. ;)


Swamp coolers used around here would be something that would allow us to get our humidity levels OVER 100%.

[Jtarm]

Triple digits here in the Lone Star State.

And I'm too old to get up at 4:00 AM.

[NavyVet1959]

Triple digits here in the Lone Star State.

And I'm too old to get up at 4:00 AM.

At 04:00, I'm probably just getting in bed!

We need a small tropical storm to come through here and cool things off a bit.

[popper]

We dropped 2F today, ready for lawn mowing in the morning, should go fast, bermuda has just about gone heat dormant now.

[Blackwater]

Here on the coastal plain of SE Ga., it's famous for our humidity. The swamps are full of skeeters this year, too, due to the heavy rains early in the year. The worst are the little black ones that don't make a hum, and you don't know you've been bit 'till it starts itchin' like crazy! I just can't take the heat like I used to, and don't have a good venting hood to cast inside, but I'm seriously thinking on it for my new reloading room. Sure would be a boon in this climate!

I used to look forward to this time of the year. I could go to the river and I'd often have the whole run of it by myself. Rarely saw another fisherman. Nowadays, I'm one of those back at the house in the A/C! And glad of it, too! Yeah, these "Golden Years" are really sumthin'! Not being 10 ft. tall, bulletproof and immortal can be a real drag!

[mold maker]

My grass hasn't been mowed but once since the 4th. It sounds like potato chips when you walk on it. Tire tracks around the back left dead streaks.
In the Winter the cold hurts my bones, and the Summer is just intolerable.
Where did Spring go?
I sure hope we have a mild long Fall.

[jwber]

I'm basically out of 9mm booolits, I need them bad for next month. Just going to have to suck it up one night and do it.

It's been in 80's and decent humidity and I cast in my garage which is even hotter.

[Patrick L]

I too try to do all my casting for the year in the fall/early winter.

That said, since I made my indoor casting cabinet with vent hood it doesn't really matter. If I do cast in the summer the shop is fairly cool, and of course warm in winter. I do smelt either outdoors or in the open garage. In fact, I did do that two weeks ago, since the forecast was fairly cool(for us) and low humidity.

[izzyjoe]

No thanks, I'll do my casting in late Oct. I do enuff sweatin' at work! Now these last couple of mornings have been nice in the lower 70's, if I was tempted that would be the time to do it.

[Nocturnal Stumblebutt]

Lately I've been starting my casting, on the nights I'm able to, around 10 pm and going until midnight. I keep promising myself I'll heat the garage so that I can get all of next summer's casting done during the cold, dark, miserable winter months. But you know what they say, hope in one hand, poop in the other, see which one fills up first.

[Jtarm]

In my part of Texas, you only have two real seasons: summer and the rest of the year. Without a calendar the only way to tell them apart are the trees and bluebonnets.

[Leadmelter]

Up here we had a break in the hot and humid so I took advantage and tried out my new Accurate Mold which was 453175. I went through a whole pot of lead. Beautiful mold, nice workmanship
Leadmelter
MI

[Charlie U.]

In the summer months it's nice to do casting sessions late at night. A big fan pumping that cool night air into the garage makes it pleasant.

[Big Dog]

had some cooler nights here and could do some casting of 00-Buck for about 2 hours in the early AM if I turned on the ProMelt @ twilight and if the humidity was low enough I could get about the same before dark before the skeeters started flying in formation

I cannot do the high heat anymore either ......

when I worked aluminum extrusion I would easily see 140F working as fast as I could to "make a break in the A/C of the break room", when the forklift operator would pull the heat treat oven (40' L x 7' W x 7' H cart)@ 550F .......... we would melt

don't laugh, we would walk out on the shipping dock in full sun on a 105F day to cool off, a black Tee shirt by the end of the day was grayish/white from salt/sweat

[Southerngunner]

I live in western Arizona and today was only 109 with out too much humidity last week was miserable at 116 with 48 % humidity.

[13Echo]

I've gotten so used to the heat for the last two months that I needed a light jacket yesterday morning when it got all the way down to 73*