Hillbilly Shot maker

[jixxerbill]

Thanks to a few people on here i was able to put this together...

[ffg]

amazing

[wch]

Very nice work, and a good idea.

[Geoffrey]

That is fantastic!

[alrighty]

Very nice idea and design , congrats!

[scarry scarney]

I'm envious of your skill and ability!

[eck0313]

Nice work Devil Dog!

[camaro1st]

nice set up!!

[ffg]

Remarkable the fact that you have your very own foundry to make parts , wow .

[possom813]

That's pretty slick!

I have a question about the lip that the drips hit? What's it's purpose?

Myself and a buddy want to build a shotmaker, not as elaborate as this one(at least not yet) and we haven't found reasoning behind the lip? Wouldn't it dent the shot coming out?


And if you're up for answering a few more questions, I have plenty about the specifications and how it actually works, mainly the drippers, and lead level and all that jazz, coolant?

I can go on for a few minutes with questions

[kenyerian]

Very nice!!

[jmsj]

Very Very Cool!!
Don't you just love it when a plan comes together
jmsj

[nodda duma]

Awesome!

[LUBEDUDE]

Very impressive Bill!

[I'll Make Mine]

I have a question about the lip that the drips hit? What's it's purpose?

[...] Wouldn't it dent the shot coming out?

The shot is still liquid when it rolls down the lip; the idea is to ensure that the shot is round (from rolling) before it hits the coolant. Without the lip, you'd need a free drop of at least a hundred feet to let surface tension round out the lead drop (hence why shot was made in towers), but with the lip, and good drip rate with the right coolant, you can get good round shot in a setup that doesn't require a fall harness to manage.

[Agent1187]

That is one pretty unit!

Were you noticing any problems with the shot clumping together in the coolant after it starts to pile up?

[jixxerbill]

The shot is still liquid when it rolls down the lip; the idea is to ensure that the shot is round (from rolling) before it hits the coolant. Without the lip, you'd need a free drop of at least a hundred feet to let surface tension round out the lead drop (hence why shot was made in towers), but with the lip, and good drip rate with the right coolant, you can get good round shot in a setup that doesn't require a fall harness to manage.

Actually the shot bounces down the lip, it doesent roll down it. Mine bounces about 3 times, and i guess it is still round from the last bounce when it hits the anti-freeze and cools instantly..

possom813 --The drippers are made from 3/16 bolts. If you do a search in this thread another person has a picture of how they are made.
The level of the lead is personal preference and shot size desired, but if you get too high with it the drops will become a steady stream..
Coolant used was 100% anti-freeze, other coolants can be used from what i have read.

The design and workings of the shot maker have been around for a bit, i actually just wanted to see if i could use cast aluminum to make it work. I'd love to take full credit, but the design has been done several times. I only added my spin on how it all comes together, and casting the dripper.

Thanks to all for the kind words...Bill

[helice]

How do I get that radio station?
All I get here is ****.
Amazing set up. I love to watch a problem solver at work. DANG!

[LUBEDUDE]

BTW- your unit is far From Hillbilly!

[Castaholic]

That setup is impressive to say to least! Good work!