Mould storage

[BluesBear]

How do y'all store your moulds?
In your experience what is the best way?

I'm going to get a set of handles for each of my moulds and always leave them attached.
Now a six cavity mould with handles isn't exactly what I'd call a compact package.
So I'm trying to figure a good way to store them that will protect them from damage, moisture and dust.
Some sort of a box like container, preferably stackable.
I guess the cardboard box they come in might work, but I'd like something a little sturdier for the long term.
I have heard of guys using Tupperware containers but I'd like something a little more form fitting if possible.

Any suggestions?

[BruceB]

My moulds live in big plastic boxes from Wal Mart, about 16"x 6"wide x 5" high, and the boxes have hinged lids.

I tape the mould halves together to avoid damage, and write the design number on the tape for easier identification. Large-ish dessicant packs, about 4" square, are placed on top of the moulds, several packs per box. I fill the box with several layers of moulds, some with and some without handles. If I bought handles for all my moulds, I'd be in the poorhouse ...or at least not be able to buy nearly as much other "stuff"....

In the dryness here in the high desert, no damage is caused by storing in this fashion. There's also no time spent in degreasing or other preservative removal when it's time to do some casting.

[ktw]

I found these at K-Mart a while back. Kind of like tupperware on steroids. Aggressively air/water tight.

http://www.snapwareusa.com/Wcee498c607296.htm

An 8"Wx10"L will take most two cavity molds with handles, or Lee 6 cavities without handles. 3 across.

I have been using smaller ones for mold blocks without handles. One of them is just the right size to take 6 of the Lyman and/or RCBS mold boxes.

-ktw

[pumpguy]

Living in Denver, humidity is non existant. When I lived in Kansas, though, I kept them in an ammo can. I could put them away when they were still a little bit hot. I would not want to try that with a plastic box.

[BluesBear]

What I'm looking for is somethign that would hold just one six cavity mould with handles attached.

Right now, since I haven't attached the handles I'm storing them in the box they came in. Nicely stacked in the cubbyholes of my loading room shelves.
Since I just moved last week I won't be set up to start casting again until June. When I get started again I want to be able to select a mould from the shelf, take it out to the workbench in the garage and use it. When I'm done and it's cooled, cleaned and oiled, I'll bring it back in the house and stack it back on the shelf.

I've considered making a small wooden box with lid to hold each one.
I was just wondering if there was something pre-made that others had discovered. I really like the little orange plastic box that Lyman makes for their mould blocks. The problem is you have to remove the handles to use them.
I wish Lyman would make a larger one that would hold them handles and all. B ut they don't.
This is what got me thinking about this in the first place.

[Ben]

BluesBear:

I live in Alabama, the humidity here can ruin a bullet mold in the summer time in just a few days. To deal with this problem, I recently purchased a large mil. ammo can with a rubber seal lid. Ideal for my mold storage :

You can build your compartments to whatever size suits your needs best. ie..6 cav., 4 cav., 2 cav., 1 cav. molds, etc.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/Mold%20storage/PICT0001.jpg

I built me some shelf supports and placed them in the sides of the can and then built shelves to slide in and out of these rails . I have more mold storage capacity than I'll ever need with this arrangement.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/Mold%20storage/PICT0013.jpg

I've designated the top tray for Cal. 31 - 45 cal. molds and the bottom tray for caliber .22 - 30 cal. molds.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/Mold%20storage/PICT0007.jpg

Although you don't see it in this photo, I now have a label typed and placed in each compartment to identify where each mold goes.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/Mold%20storage/PICT0005.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/Mold%20storage/PICT0011.jpg

The mold cabinet has a 7 watt light bulb in the back of it that runs constantly to keep the air dry.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/Mold%20storage/PICT0014.jpg

I also keep desiccant in my mold box to control humidity.. If you look close, you can see the bulb burning in the rear of the cabinet in this photo:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/Mold%20storage/PICT0013.jpg

I mounted the mold storage box on the wall in my basement. It has an inspection port on the front door to allow me to see inside and be certain that the bulb is burning without removal of the door :

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/Mold%20storage/PICT0010.jpg

[BluesBear]

Having spent the first 41 years of my life in Kentucky in the Ohio River Valley I am all too familiar with that sweltering southern summer humidity.
That's one of the reasons I came to the Great Pacific NorthWet ten years ago.
I don't miss those Kentucky summers not one little bit.

[Ben]

BluesBear:

In the worst of the summer heat here, at the end of the day,( as you are obviously well aware ) you don't just take your shirt off, you peel it off.

What did you think of the photos of the mold storage cabinet ?

Ben

[montana_charlie]

What did you think of the photos of the mold storage cabinet ?
It's an organized way to solve the storage question, and I like the light bulb.
I have seen cabinets using that method for storing welding rod. The flux on welding rod performs poorly if allowed to absorb moisture.

I might add that (for welding rod) an airtight container was not considered to be a requirement (with the bulb heater).
CM

[BluesBear]

Ben,

That's a very creative and well crafted idea.
I have a climate controlled closet that I use for my ammunition storage.
It's cool and dry.
That's where I'm storing my moulds too.
As I mentioned my Lee Moulds are currently in the original Lee boxes.
My Lyman moulds are in the plastic Lyman boxes.
But when I start casting again in June I plan on leaving the handles attached.

I'm thinking about making some simple little wooden "coffins" to better store them.

[Nardoo]

Ben,
I can see from here you have a problem.

You got far too many molds. To help, you can send some to me. I use ..33, 35, .375, and 45 cal.

Please PM me and I will provide my address so you can send them to me.

Don't mention it.

Nardoo

[BluesBear]

Too many?!?!

NAAAWWWWW!!!!!
No way. Not even close.

Heck, he hasn't even got that first tray filled yet.
And it looks like they're all little one and two bangers anyway.

[Ben]

Gee, you guys are real pals.

Can't beat friends that are willing to take all those discontinued , high dollar , HP Lyman molds that are scarce as hen's teeth off your hands and give you that needed extra storage space for your molds that you need.

Now that's what friends are for.

Ben

[SharpsShooter]

Gee, you guys are real pals.

Can't beat friends that are willing to take all those discontinued , high dollar , HP Lyman molds that are scarce as hen's teeth off your hands and give you that needed extra storage space for your molds that you need.

Now that's what friends are for.

Ben

Heck, I will offer my help as well, but in a larger way. Obviously your power bill from running that light constantly is preventing you from enjoying more shooting activity. [smilie=1: Simply box up the entire unit, including moulds, and ship it to me. It is the least I can offer to reduce the stressful life you must lead as you provide care for those nasty, old out-of-date moulds. :-D


SS

[Ben]

As the clock ticks, I gather friends.....Life is Great ! ! !

Ben