New and just don't know

[mattbowen]

I am new to casting and have melted down some lead just to clean it before I do anything else and I used paraffin wax for flux and when I put the wax in it started smoking and then burst into flames. My question is "What am I doing wrong?"

Thanks in advance

Matt

[Bloodman14]

Not a thing; the flash point of wax is something like 300* (I think). Lead in it's liquid state is 650*-700*, depending on the alloy. While the wax is smoking/burning, stir the melt with a stick; this will bring up the gunk in the metal, and you can skim that off. Go to a second hand store and buy an old wooden-handled slotted spoon to use as a skimmer.
Welcome to the addiction! By the way, read all the stickies; good info there.

[white eagle]

yes that is what is supposed to happen
spin it in like said and skim
the wax tends to stick to your spoon so don't be alarmed its supposed to do that
have fun

[462]

Welcome, Matt.
When stiring, be sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the pot to free any crud that may be stuck there. Use a wood stick to stir, scrape and flux.

[Tazman1602]

Not a thing Matt. When I flux with parafin I always keep some matches handy to actually set the wax on fire once it melts, then stir it into the melt (CAREFULLY.....). Make a good flux. Once it quits smoking and you've scraped the edges of the pot, skim the scum off the top and you've got a nice pot of lead!

Art

I am new to casting and have melted down some lead just to clean it before I do anything else and I used paraffin wax for flux and when I put the wax in it started smoking and then burst into flames. My question is "What am I doing wrong?"

Thanks in advance

Matt

[mattbowen]

Thanks alot guys I was wondering about it but I didn't read anything about the wax catching fire and got concerned. To skim the top I got the wife's OLD metal strainer the my 7th grandson flattened and am using it so far.

Thanks again

Matt

[geargnasher]

Welcome, Matt.
When stiring, be sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the pot to free any crud that may be stuck there. Use a wood stick to stir, scrape and flux.

Dry wood stick

Gear

[HORNET]

I'll bet it got your attention. DRY sawdust works good for fluxing as well. Welcome to the wonderful world of lead running. Hide your wallet before you check the group buy section.

[ghh3rd]

I have to be mentally prepared for that burst of flame when it ignites, or I will slosh lead over the top when I jump!

[stubert]

I stir with a paint stirrer, after a few uses it sortof burns into the shape of the pot when you scrape the sides.

[Charlie Two Tracks]

Hi Matt. I am new to this also. I have only done three pots so far. You might want to search the term "tinsel fairy". It is hard to get in your head, just how hot 700 degrees is. Man that's hot. I read and read and read. These guys will not steer you wrong. I hope you have all the safety gear. Blind is for a long time.

[mroliver77]

I like to flux when melt is just hot enough to stay melted. When smelting I flood with enough wax to get a complete covering of the melt then stir it vigorously in. I use both sawdust and wax as it seems to get melt cleaner. Very good advice about scraping. The weight of the lead will trap crud against sides and bottom if not released by scraping.
Jay

[Hurricane]

I don't like the energetic way wax bursts into flame in the hot lead. I have changed to dry wood sawdust and stir with a wooden stick. It is a much calmer way to flux. Anything with carbon in it can be used to flux the lead. Wood, especially paint stirrers from the paint store, are a cheap way to get flux for the pot. ALWAYS wear long pants ( jeans are OK), shoes, heavy gloves (welder gloves from Home Depot or Lowes are good), and eye and face protection in case some lead splashes out (and it will sooner or later). I use a woodworking face sheild to protect eyes, face, and hair. The clothing should not be any synthetic that will melt or catch fire if the hot lead gets on it. Cotton is good. Casting is not especially hard but you can NEVER allow yourself to get distracted and cause a lead spill or trip over an electric cord. The three things you must pay attention to are SAFETY, SAFETY, AND SAFETY. Do not allow small people or pets in the area when you are casting. After that, just enjoy casting boolits. The most common problem seems to be that the mould is not hot enough. When it is up to heat the casting is very easy. Good luck and have fun.

[mattbowen]

Thanks again guys for the info. This is the first time I have heard of using sawdust to flux with I will have to try it. At this time I am using a two burner propane cook stove outside and I do it when I am the only one home which isn't too often with 9 grandchildren. I never wear short pants not even in the summer, a decent pair of work boots, long sleeves, buckskin gloves and eyeglass. I didn't think about a face shield but will now. there are still allot of things that I still need to get when I save up a little money. I hope to be casting for 30 cal., 357. 45LC, and 45-70. I will be hunting with most next year since deer season here starts on Aug. 15th and ends Jan.1st.

Thank again

Matt

[mdi]

Welcome! Casting boolits is prolly the most satisfying aspect of my shooting hobbies. You can take some scrap, dirty, greasy lead and melt it down. Then you can fabricate some custom boolits designed to fit your specific gun, lube them with your own special "secret" formula lube, and load them to suit your specific gun. Then you go out and shoot your custom ammo and it's better than any you have purchased before! Feeeeeels Good!

Go slow, use common sense and you can safely cast yer own custom boolits for a lifetime...


BTW; Lyman's Cast Bullet Handbook is a very good source of info about casting and shooting lead boolits. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...book&x=20&y=21

[Bret4207]

Thanks again guys for the info. This is the first time I have heard of using sawdust to flux with I will have to try it. At this time I am using a two burner propane cook stove outside and I do it when I am the only one home which isn't too often with 9 grandchildren. I never wear short pants not even in the summer, a decent pair of work boots, long sleeves, buckskin gloves and eyeglass. I didn't think about a face shield but will now. there are still allot of things that I still need to get when I save up a little money. I hope to be casting for 30 cal., 357. 45LC, and 45-70. I will be hunting with most next year since deer season here starts on Aug. 15th and ends Jan.1st.

Thank again

Matt

You sound like a man after my own heart. Common sense will go a lot further in this game than fancy duds and encasing yourself in a suit of armor. Try the paint stick or dry branch to stir and flux with. Any carbon you choose to throw in the pot will help (sawdust, leaves, wax, grease, cats, rats, elephants).

I'm surprised you didn't read anything about the wax flare up. Maybe they aren't putting that in the newer books, but it was usually mentioned in the older tomes.

Welcome aboard!

[prs]

When I fnd a reject boolit, I go ahead and lube it in the lube sizer with BP lube and that little boolit make a fine flux dose for the production pot, and yes, flames are part anc parcel of taking the hair off'n yer knuckles as you scrape the sides.

prs

[mattbowen]

Bret;

Most of what I read about casting was on the net until now and I melted my first pot before I found this site. I melted down some more this afternoon and put both wax and sawdust in it then I got a LONG stick to stir it with (while it was on fire) very interesting.

Thanks again

Matt

[qajaq59]

When you put the wooden stick in the melt do it slowly in case it has absorbed any dampness. That way it wont spit at you. And I like cedar saw dust or chips because they smell better.

[tuckerdog]

Welcome to the addiction, these guys won't steer you wrong, befor you know it your wife will start wondering if you have moved into your workshop... mine did