Banging a brass mold?

[stainless1911]

I usually use a small brass hammer to open then sprue plate on the Lyman iron mold, but I wasnt sure if I should be doing that to a brass mold. Thougts?

[Triggerhappy]

I use a plastic hammer and have never had a problem...

[RobS]

I use a piece of oak wood. 1/2"X2"Xabout a foot long or so. Shouldn't have any issues as long as you don't get carried away.

[hiram]

Try a wood dowel, drill a hole in the end maybe 2" deep. Put a pin of somesort through the dowel(thin nail, brad), and fill with lead.

[winelover]

Rawhide mallet

Winelover

[timkelley]

Old hammer handle (hickory).

[montana_charlie]

Brass is harder than a lot of aluminums, so whatever works for Lee moulds should be alright for brass. But, here (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=83909 ) is a discussion of every sprue cutting and bullet removal technique known to man.

CM

[Reg]

You really shouldn't use a brass hammer on any mold. A lot of people get by just fine with a heavy leather glove ( old welding glove cut off so it isn't so hot or awkward ) or if you need a bit more, try a small piece of hard wood like a hammer handle or thereabouts. Be gentile with those molds. makes em last a whole lot longer.

:-)

[bhn22]

I use a gloved hand for 2 cavity moulds, and an old hickory hammer handle for 4 cavities.

[Mal Paso]

Back in the 60s my father purchased a Rawhide Mallet, I think for woodcarving. At just over 6 oz it failed to carve wood, and over the years there were many tasks for which that mallet was totally inadequate. There was always a better tool.

Then I started casting, and that Rawhide Mallet is my right hand. Just heavy enough to cut cold sprews on a 4 cavity mold and if you miss you won't hurt the mold. A few taps to vibrate the Boolits out and I hook sprue plate with the Mallet to close it.

I don't wear gloves. I could never keep that right hand, left hand thing straight and I'd probably have my glove on the "pervert" hand.

[cajun shooter]

If you use Bullplate on the sprue plate you should be able to open any mold if it is adjusted correctly with a light tap from a plastic hammer. If you plate is adjusted any tighter than this then you have a problem.

[Jailer]

Rubber mallet.