Just obtained Shotmaster shotmaker

[rb1003]

I made a Francis bros. style shotmaker. Got a small amount of shot, some swan shot and lots of popcorn. Today I built a Littleton style shotmaker. I will buy the coolant tomorrow. I would be interested in hearing the results of your shotmaker.

[vica]

Is the shotmaker still for sale? If so have you a price in mind? What would it cost to send it to the U.K. ?
Thanks
vica

[RP]

Well going back and looking at post its been awhile since i got into the shot making. Since then we have made 3 tons of shot now iam out of lead and looks like the price of shot is down so its not worth the trouble of finding more lead. But this is what I ended up learning. Lead hardest makes a diff on how good the shot looks also the size. I use transmission fluid used for coolant its free, I wash with gas then use the gas to smelt more lead in my mil burner,dry in sun on table covered with bedsheet takes about 5 mins on a sunny day,grahite in a cement mixer 100 lbs at a time two spoons is enough, sort with various items from coffee can holes drill in it turned buy a drill to letter baskets the wire ones and screens. Then bottled in 2 liters for shipping heating necks to make them shorter to fit in flat rate boxes. Running double drippers I have to use another pot to keep it feed I could run a few hundred lbs at a time. So you can run out alot of shot and sell it or store it for your self but its not something you want to do every few weeks the best way i see to do it is run alot and store it pack everthing up making making sure you oil the nozzles up good so they will be ready for the next run.

[BubbaBlaster]

I've got to make me one of those!! Great job with the posts guys!

[sixpointfive]

My shotmaster is runing slow, it is making shot but running slow.

[Black Wolf]

Some ideas possibly here: http://gungab.net/archives/7

[leadman]

If you have a Littleton that is running slow there are several things it could be. The lead is too cool, should be at least 500'. The drippers are dirty or have slag in the large openings. A small spoon tapped on the opening of the drippers may remove the slag. the lead level should be 1/8" over the drippers at least, too high and it will run into flat disks.
You could have zinc in your alloy. Replace it if so.

I ran a second #20 pot to feed my Littleton to speed up production. This way the lead can be fluxed and skimmed before adding it to the Littleton.

[Sitsinhedges]

If you have a Littleton that is running slow there are several things it could be. The lead is too cool, should be at least 500'. The drippers are dirty or have slag in the large openings. A small spoon tapped on the opening of the drippers may remove the slag. the lead level should be 1/8" over the drippers at least, too high and it will run into flat disks.
You could have zinc in your alloy. Replace it if so.

I ran a second #20 pot to feed my Littleton to speed up production. This way the lead can be fluxed and skimmed before adding it to the Littleton.

Lead that is high above the drippers just makes smaller shot as it is forced out more quickly by the extra weight. Flat discs tend to come from having the coolant too far away from the ramp in my experience. I try and keep the lead mix under 350c unless making very small shot when it seems to need to be a little hotter. Lead that is too hot will make popcorn as it hits the colder coolant and freezes on the outside whilst still being molten on the inside.

Each to their own opinions of course.

[dieguy59]

Just snagged myself a Shotmaster! This post is amazing! Everything I need to get at it.

[mtgrs737]

Dieguy, I use Sun liquid laundry soap as coolant, it seems to produce very good shot. Keep the surface of the coolant as close to the bottom of the ramp as possible for the best shot. If the coolant is less than 85 degrees when I start I heat it up to at least that and I turn the shotmaker off when the coolant reaches 140 degrees. If it is too hot the shot will deform more. Dollar General has the soap on sale most of the time. If you have any questions give me PM.

[budkingston]

Dieguy, I use Sun liquid laundry soap as coolant, it seems to produce very good shot. Dollar General has the soap on sale most of the time. If you have any questions give me PM.

Is this used in its "pure" form or do you dilute with water? And if so, what ratio? I have a Stewart shotmaker and I have built an elaborate cooing basin with hopper and catch basin with return pump. I'm essentially ready to go and Im'm looking for best coolant. I like the idea of Sun laundry detergent because I won't be stuck with 8 gallons of unusable material!Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you