Found the perfect mold mallet

[RoGrrr]

<SNIP>
I have rheumatoid arthritis so twisting a mold with a pair of gloves is not possible.

Swede
Look at my twister in post #45

[WALLNUTT]

When needed I use a tinner's mallet.

[ncbearman]

Those that say use your hands........ maybe I'm wrong but it seems to me, on steel moulds if you allow the sprue to cool as it should to keep from "tearing" instead of cutting there is no way you can open the sprue plate with your hand. Especially on 4 or 6 cavities.

[rondog]

I currently use a piece of pine curtain/hanger rod about 10" long. Old hickory hammer handle is next. Ain't NWIH I'm going to beat 'em open with my hands! I have enough hand pain already. Nope nope nope.

[abunaitoo]

I've been using a rawhide mallet since I started casting.
Still use the same one to this day.

[gwpercle]

I`ve been using a hammer handle (never had a head on it) for the last 15+ years. Before that I used a piece of a dry hickory tree limb. The last few years I`ve been using my hand palm while wearing a good leather work glove. I`m thinking that 24 oz. may be a tad too heavy on the sprue hinge bolt.Robert

Hammer handle also , from Sears , 14 inch , hickory, got about 1968 for $0.99....
I'm still using the same one . New ones now have gone up to $6.00 !

[ncbearman]

Hammer handle also , from Sears , 14 inch , hickory, got about 1968 for $0.99....
I'm still using the same one . New ones now have gone up to $6.00 !

In 1968 $0.99 WAS $6 haha ahhhhh the good ol' days…………...

[robg]

Used a chair leg for a few years till it wore out now use a plastic faced small hammer no way I could move the cutter by hand

[Mica_Hiebert]

I may have to try this. I have a noe 360-180 wfn mould I have to beat like a red headed step child to get the bullets to fall out of.

[mold maker]

Guess I'm lucky. At 74 I still use only my gloved hand to open sprue plates on all kind of molds. Occasionally a stubborn boolit won't drop and a tap with a wooden handle from something is necessary.
It's my experience that timing and attention fix most problems.

[Hamish]

Guess I'm lucky. At 74 I still use only my gloved hand to open sprue plates on all kind of molds. Occasionally a stubborn boolit won't drop and a tap with a wooden handle from something is necessary.
It's my experience that timing and attention fix most problems.

Exactly so. What the folks who are poopooing using the hand don't seem to be realising is that one does not "whack", or "beat", or "knock" the sprue plate open with the gloved hand. Once a good casting temperature and cadence are reached, only a quick pressure with the pad of the hand at the base of the thumb on the sprue plate handle will easily CUT the sprue.

Yes, if one does not get the mold to the correct temperature on the first pour or two, a tap with a piece of dowell may be needed to assist, but if you get them hot enough to start with I've not seen the need for bashing ones sprue plate and hardware potentially bent and out of alignment. (whack one off center and away from the blocks loing enough and hard enough). That's just personal experience, I know we've got members here who've been tapping the plate up to, and over a half century, and it works for them. I just don't like whacking, especially on my aluminum blocks.


That having been said, futzing about with a mould with a removable hollow point pin is a *much* bigger aggravation than any multi cavity mould I own,but having seen enough guys post otherwise, that's just me.

[Drew P]

This thread cost me almost $10!!

[MnSpring]

Well, I have had, 100's of, 'Srue' 'Mallets.
Sticks from the, wood pile. About 2-3" round.

Try this, Pour, wait a sec, tap the plate about 1/4, Just enough to drop off, the spruce, (in the re-melt container), Wait a 1/2 a sec, Open the mold, Then tap, 'LIGHTLY', the plate to all the way open. 80+% of the time, the bullet will just drop out. If it doesn't, than, tap, LIGHTLY, on the Hinge, of the mold. It will drop. (If your melt is correct temp, and if your mold is correct temp.)

[MARCORVET]

i USE A 12 INCH PIECE OF OAK 2X2 WITH ONE END SANDED INTO A HANDLE. WORKS GREAT FOR TAPPING THE HINGE PIN TO DROP STUBBORN BULLETS. USE THE END OF IT TO PUSH THE SPRU PLATE OPEN.

[mozeppa]

i use a jack hammer.....i love power tools!

[pugjunga123]

Hammer handle. I've had mine for 15 years with no issues.

[bob208]

I use broken hammer handles. like out of a claw hammer or ball peen hammer. works great plus they are cheap as in free. if you get the good hickory they make good knife handles.

[robertbank]

Rubber mallet if I have not posted on this thread before. Mine has been around for 15 years or so and is as new.

Take Care

Bob

[shoot-n-lead]

I have to tap with a hammer handle...the little bit of arthritis that I have in my thumbs won't tolerate cutting that sprue with gloved hand.

[BustemAgain]

I can not imagine casting again without a 6 ounce Garland rawhide mallet. Seemingly light as a feather but gets the job done on the first stroke every time. Non-marring and Amazing shock absorption too. I believe I was turned on to them by Ross Seyfried. I bought 2 of them 20 plus years ago, still haven't had occasion to use the second one. I don't know what Water Buffaloes eat but they sure have some crazy tuff hide. I honestly don't think you could wear one out in a lifetime of casting.