My sprue tray

[happy7]

I don't know what others of you do to get the sprues back in the pot without splattering hot lead all over. I never could really get it to work, so I made myself a tray out of sheet steel (aluminum would have been a lot lighter and probably easier) and it works pretty darn good. I thought some of you might find it interesting so here is a picture. The hood fits the diameter of my Lee and RCBS 20 pound pots.

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm157/happyjoyfully/IMG_5394.jpg

[NVcurmudgeon]

I use a very sturdy Datsun brake caliper box left over from a car I repaired for a customer more than twenty years ago. It sits next to the Coleman stove. When it is time to add metal, flux, and skim, I dump the sprues in, followed by one or two pre-heated ingots. Datsun sure builds good cardboard boxes!

[Down South]

Happy7, That looks like a great idea. Now all ya need is a patent number.

NV, Small sturdy cardboard boxes are something that I never seem to have enough of.

[Southern Son]

Happy 7,
That is flash as, will I be infringing on someones patent I make one for myself?

[runfiverun]

i use a piece of sheet metal bent into a u shape flattened out.
fill and dump at arms length it is about 15" long.

[mtgrs737]

Looks like a keeper to me! Thanks for posting a picture, this is what I like about this forum! Keep thinking about ways to make things work better!

[happy7]

Happy 7,
That is flash as, will I be infringing on someones patent I make one for myself?

Copy away! If you make any improvements, let me know. I made one out of cardboard first which I then modified as necessary over several casting sessions till I had it working good, then used it for a pattern for cutting out the metal.

[mooman76]

I like things natural soI lead the lead splash where it may!

[TCFAN]

This is what I use to catch and return my sprue to the pot.works the same as yours.....Terry

[xr650]

Happy,
That looks like a handy tool.
I am interested in the use of the green leafy substance. Flux? Fix? Garnish?

[Buckshot]

.............Hey that's kewl! I thought my wood box was tits, but that's neat. Any problems with the sprues from Lee 6 bangers?

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

[happy7]

Any problems with the sprues from Lee 6 bangers?

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

No. I cast the sprues in a single long sprue on those molds. On my cardboard prototype I did have a problem, and had to enlarge the opening. Now it works pretty good. Occasionally a little shake and bump is needed to get them through if I let the tray get pretty full.

[happy7]

I am interested in the use of the green leafy substance. Flux? Fix? Garnish?

I cast under an oak tree. I have a sheet of steel set up for a table behind my shed.

[xr650]

I was hoping you were going to share a super secret process with the green. :kidding:

[runfiverun]

i know a little lawn don't hurt the mix any, after spilling two buckets of ww's on it.

[mto7464]

Humm q-tip with dirty ends, Bullplate??

[targetshootr]

I hold the mold over the pot and drop the sprue back into it. Doesn't make much of a splash and you get more boolits out of a potful.

:castmine:

[Howdy Doody]

There is another great idea I am going to swipe. Excellent!

[happy7]

Humm q-tip with dirty ends, Bullplate??

Correct, and the blue in the corner of the tray is a couple drops of bull plate that got away from me.

[eka]

I cast with a layer of kitty litter on top of the melt. So, I don't get any splash. I just add them to the pot a handful at a time and what doesn't sink on it's own, I mash on down in there with a spoon.

Keith