lead sticking to the sprue cutter

[saidnuff]

I was having the sprue want to stick when it was cut off so I went and sprayed it with a mold release spray from midway. Not only does the sprue come off the cutter with easier but the lead seems to flow into the mold better.

[HATCH]

You need to try BullPlate.

[Bret4207]

Your sprue plate is too cool. The slight air gap between the mould and plate is letting the sprue plate run a lot cooler than the mould, the mould release junk you sprayed on it masks the symptoms, but also insulates the sprue plate from the mould heat. Increase your casting tempo.

[1Shirt]

Yep, go with Bullplate, and listen to Bret!
1Shirt!:coffeecom

[Ben]

Bullplate is MAGIC ! !

[exile]

I have some Bullplate on the way, can't wait to try it.

exile

[Char-Gar]

Bullplate does seem to be like magic. No caster should be without it.

[theperfessor]

+1 for BullPlate!

[Blammer]

I've used bullplate for a while now and like it, I've also tried the moly mould release and it works great on the sprue. I like it better than bullplate.

[Ohio Rusty]

I have that issue when I cast with a soft alloy. Probably the sprue is squishing in the hole. Maybe squishing a slight burr under the sprue plate hole holding the cut sprue in place. I have a couple of thick copper wires I use to push the sprue out of the hole when it sticks. One of the things that happens when casting.
Ohio Rusty ><>

[saidnuff]

Some nice ideas here. I was casting again today and did turn up the heat a bit and that casts a lot better.

[onondaga]

Plain old #2 lead pencil is a terrific anti-flux that will keep sprues from sticking to a sprue plate. Just scribble in the offending areas on the sprue plate and the depressed funnel shape of the sprue gate hole.

Sometimes the cut of the sprue gate hole is not a sharp edge to the bottom of the hole and needs to be extended to a sharp edge at the other side of the plate. this can be done with a reamer or a countersink. Then fine oil-stone the other side of the plate flat again. Usually the amount to be corrected in the gate hole is so small that hand turning a counter sink bit is all that is needed, them a re-flat of the other side. Don't forget the pencil scribbling too.

Gary