I just finished my second attempt at casting boolits, and have yet to create any usable boolits. Yeah, I know. I should expect that, and I do, but I could use a little advice.
I am using a Lee Pro 4-20, controlled by a PID controller, and a Lee 6 cavity 356125 mold. I cleaned and prepped the mold according to the advice in the stickies. I'm cooking stick-on wheel weights in it.
All my boolits are coming out shiny and wrinkled. All of the wisdom in the stickies says that's because the mold is not hot enough, and I think that is correct. I've tried all the suggestions mentioned, setting the mold on top of the pot, dipping the end of the mold in the lead for a minute or so, and casting some boolits in it to heat it up. Simply leaving the mold on top of the pot definitely doesn't get it hot enough. I don't like the idea of dipping the end of the mold in the lead, it gets crud all over it that is difficult to get off, and I'm afraid I'll get it too hot that way anyway. I have to guess that I'm not fast enough to keep the mold hot by just casting boolits. I'm a noob. I have to go slow.
I started at 700 degrees for the lead, and raised it to 740. Didn't appear to help much. That should be okay for the lead temp, shouldn't it?
Hot plate? If so, are there any good indications that will prevent me from overheating the mold?
Any other suggestions?