Need help I feel totally lost in this casting endeavor.

[GoodOlBoy]

I mentioned this in another thread but dive weights with very ROUNDED edges tend to be factory dive weights of usually good quality lead, or lead alloy. Dive weights that have SQUARE-ISH/ROUND-ISH edges TEND to be shop cast in molds. They can be of anything and everything. I think the posters above are right on about temp issues.

GoodOlBoy

[mold maker]

I have a dive weight mould and for years, used it to get rid of alloy that didn't behave in boolit moulds.
I marked them as ???lead, and the weight.
They sold for more than replacement lead cost, so it was a win win situation.

[georgerkahn]

Just a friendly addendum re using a wooden match. It took me a long time, not being the sharpest knife in the drawer, so to speak, before I learned/discovered that wooden matches have wax in their burn stuff -- simple solution it to make sure you wait a couple of seconds after ignition before you apply the wooden match's flame to your mould. I learned the hard way, what a difference a couple of seconds makes... well worth the wait! With the now-less-time burning match, too, I hold it with a pair of needlenose pliers or tweezers.
BEST!
georgerkahn

[CSWI SAMI]

All,

thanks again! Ive been away from the casting pot for a few days now in preparations for Christmas. I attempted casting one other time since the first post only to have similar results. I need to acquire a hot plate and some other things included with all the advice.

I do want to give my appreciation to the awesome forum members on here. I have never been so welcomed before on any other forum that I belong to. The outpouring of support has been great. It's been really nice.

Thank you and Merry Christmas

pete

[62chevy]

Not a problem Just pay it forward when you get to the point of casting good boolits. I started last year have learned a bunch but still have a ton to learn.