Ingot mold

[Dales66Ford]

Anybody have good success from the muffin tin molds that are pressed, they have the ring around the cup? I have been trying to find cast iron molds, but everyone seems to think they are worth 30 dollars apiece. Just looking for something a bit cheaper

[tg32-20]

I have had great luck with muffin tins. I look at garage sales and pick them up for a couple of dollars.
The older the better, black dirty ones work the best.

If in doubt, spray them with some Pam oil spray and get them hot on top of the smelt pot before using them.

Tom

[wills]

Regarding the virtues of rusty ingot molds (muffin pans).


http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=2809&highlight=leave+rain

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showpost.php?p=31181&postcount=7

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showpost.php?p=31186&postcount=9

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showpost.php?p=31388&postcount=14

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=6344&highlight=rusty+muffin

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showpost.php?p=29467&postcount=20

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=2051&highlight=rusty+muffin

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showpost.php?p=15158&postcount=10

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=1375&highlight=rusty+muffin

[rodok]

Look for cast iron corn muffin molds shaped like ears of corn. I found a couple at a thrift store for $2 each, they are rusty and work great

[Bzcraig]

I didn't have any luck with the muffin tins you mention, the lead soldered itself to the tins and it was a pita to peel the tins off the cups. I bought a cast iron baking pan that has little bear shapes that don't stack so well but does work great. I have since bought 3 Lee ingot molds that I now use.
The Lee molds are cheap enough from Titan Reloading (one of our sponsors).

[wills]

I tried new ones once, and wound up knocking the cups out of the pan trying to get the alloy out. Wound up putting the whole thing in the pot to melt the alloy out of the cup. Old and rusty is the way to go. Haunt garage sales. Good time of the year for it.

[Dales66Ford]

I recently attended a massive flea market and everything cast iron was selling for high dollar. I was looking for the really rusty ones and they still wanted too much. Will have to run down to the thrift stores and look.

[el34]

Teflon coated muffin pans from Walmart work great, about $6. They will create bubbled bottoms on your ingots the first 10-12 times you use them but that doesn't hurt anything. I use standard, mini, and square ones. When filled they hold about 20lb of lead.

[bangerjim]

The Lee 4cavity molds sell for only about $11 and make perfect EASILY STACKABLE (!!!!) ingots. I started out on the cheep side with muffin tins and after having a stack fall over on my foot (!) I immediately ordered 4 of the Lee molds. Never looked back.

I am now remelting ALL my muffins into ingots.

Leave the muffin tins for the cook in the kitchen!

bangerjim

[papagee]

I tried new ones once, and wound up knocking the cups out of the pan trying to get the alloy out. Wound up putting the whole thing in the pot to melt the alloy out of the cup. Old and rusty is the way to go. Haunt garage sales. Good time of the year for it.

If you have a new or 'not rusted' muffin pan, you can use an old fisherman's trick. Turn the pan upside down, take a large lit candle, hold the flame up against the metal until it is all coated black. Do this to the entire surface. Pour your lead into it, when solidified dump out your 'muffins'. I have poured thousands of fishing lures and used this method to make my molds non-stick.

[Le Loup Solitaire]

There are some sources for molds that cast handy sized ingots and they are not expensive. And you do not have to beat the dickens out of them or rust them or spray them with anything in order for them to work. A) go to your nearest Walmart and in the kitchen utensil section you will find "condiment cups"....made out of stainless steel....a set of four goes for .88-.90 cents. Lead will not stick to stainless steel and all you need is a pair of ordinary pliers to turn the cup(s) over when you fill it to whatever level you want. B) go to E-Bay and put into the search box..."John Wright". It was a foundry that made cast iron molds for all sorts of things like flowers, animals, vegetables, dinosaurs, etc. Lead will not stick to cast iron and again all you need is a pair of pliers to turn the mold over. The molds are reasonably priced even with the bidding. The shapes are varied, but generally they do not stack well, but you are after ingot shapes and not making pretty piles. If you are concerned with neat stacking then C) just buy a Lee ingot mold for around $8-10 and it makes nice little one pound (and half pound) ingots that have trapezoid(al) shapes that stack perfectly. The mold is made out of aluminum and lead does not stick to it. It also has a wooden handle so that it does not burn your hand. D) If you weld/can weld/ or know some one who can/does then an ingot mold can be made from angle iron that will do the job very well. E) Keep hitting the dollar stores/yard sales until you find an inexpensive aluminum pan for muffins or cornbread or a cast iron one. Stay away from the tin-plated versions . LLS

[MaryB]

WalMart condiment cup ingot molds, cost me $4 total, cast 8 pounds at a time

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/maryalanab/2013-07-01_16-39-39_358_zps860ebc5a.jpg

[jmort]

Just got my ingot molds from Phoenix and he makes a great mold. Got two of the six cavity molds which make six 4.5 pound ingots each.

"The ingots are
2 x 1-5/8" x 13/16" x 8-3/8"
4 x 1-3/4" x 13/16" x 8-3/8
filled flush with a hot mold 4.5 lbs each"

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?193965-Ingot-Molds-Very-nice

[NineInchNails]

I say check out used stores/rummage stores, flea markets, yard sales, etc... You can find lots of cast iron molds.

I only paid a few bucks for these:
http://i1303.photobucket.com/albums/ag142/boolits/LEAD/ImprovisedCastIronIngotMold_zps4772d2b5.jpg (http://s1303.photobucket.com/user/boolits/media/LEAD/ImprovisedCastIronIngotMold_zps4772d2b5.jpg.html)

[jmort]

Those are perfect. It is fun hunting and finding useful stuff.

[el34]

Searching garage sales and flea markets and thrift stores for something you can use is fun, thrill of treasure hunting and all, but if you need to get something going you can get muffin tins and/or condiment cups at Walmart. If you don't like the shape you can toss them whenever your other searches gets you something better. If stacking lead muffins is a problem put them in a bucket, then stack buckets.

I bought about 40 of the condiment cups but routinely only use 2-3 to pour samples for hardness testing. They make very nice ingots, I just haven't mounted them to anything and don't like setting them up individually in rows.

[gwpercle]

Wilton makes a 12 cup mini-muffin pan that is formed from 1 piece of aluminum. No seperate cups, no coatings...been using mine for 20 years. Only find them in the special birthday cake section of store. Not in the regular baking section. Go to Wilton's web site and see them.
Spotted a 24 cup Wilton mini-muffin at wally-world and bought but this one has seperate cups rolled in . Made of all aluminum but haven't tried it out yet...12 cup 1-piece works like a charm.
Again, you will find the Wilton aluminum pans in the party supply area of store not in regular baking section.

Gary

[shadowcaster]

I use the lodge cast iron wedge pans. They stack well, the ingots fall out no muss no fuss, come in at 2 pounds each, fit into the casting pot, and only cost 9 dollars each at target.

82729

Shad

[Dales66Ford]

Looking at Target, they seem to be 17-18, you seeing them at Target online for 9 apiece? Maybe cheaper in your area.

[shadowcaster]

Looking at Target, they seem to be 17-18, you seeing them at Target online for 9 apiece? Maybe cheaper in your area.

I bought mine at the local target not that long a go. I'll look again to see if they still have them.

Shad

[spokeshave]

I also prefer the Lee ingot moulds. The ingots stack so nicely in 30 cal ammo cans.

[andreadavide]

Ditto. Furthermore I have a gun shop just a block from my school and fuel (in Europe is something to take into account, going around in yard sales can be expensive) expense was nil.
The LEE ingot mould works well for me

[uglysteve]

I prefer the lyman mold. The lee ingot mold has 1/2lb and 1lb ingots in the same mold. I want all my ingots the same size. I just bought an RCBS ingot mold that I'm wanting to trade for another lyman ingot mold. I'm not a fan of the RCBS.

[pcmacd]

Teflon breaks down around 450F, and one of its decomp children is FLOURINE or (phosgene?) gas. Can't remember. I DO remember that the breakdown products are NASTY. That's another reason why I don't use firearms lube with Teflon in a barrel; I promise it gets lots more hot than 450F in that environment!

NEVER use TEFLON in apps over 375F!

I know this because while working as an industrial hygienist for Kemper Corp. in the seventies, we called upon this place that was electroplating electrodes in a hot metal bath. The sprayed Teflon onto the parts they din't want the plating to adhere.

There were ALL MANNER of respiratory problems in the crew that manned that production line; we looked into it and found that the Teflon broke down around 450F, making nasties upon nasties for that crew to breathe.

I don't even like Teflon on pans any longer. That bottom of pan that is no longer coated with Teflon? Guess where it went???

[Echo]

Teflon breaks down around 450F, and one of its decomp children is FLOURINE or (phosgene?) gas. Can't remember. I DO remember that the breakdown products are NASTY. That's another reason why I don't use firearms lube with Teflon in a barrel; I promise it gets lots more hot than 450F in that environment!

NEVER use TEFLON in apps over 375F!

I know this because while working as an industrial hygienist for Kemper Corp. in the seventies, we called upon this place that was electroplating electrodes in a hot metal bath. The sprayed Teflon onto the parts they din't want the plating to adhere.

There were ALL MANNER of respiratory problems in the crew that manned that production line; we looked into it and found that the Teflon broke down around 450F, making nasties upon nasties for that crew to breathe.

I don't even like Teflon on pans any longer. That bottom of pan that is no longer coated with Teflon? Guess where it went???

No problem - there is so little teflon (a couple thousandths thick) on the non-stick pans that the out-gassing is negligible...

[Ed_Shot]

Teflon coated muffin pans from Walmart work great, about $6. They will create bubbled bottoms on your ingots the first 10-12 times you use them but that doesn't hurt anything. I use standard, mini, and square ones. When filled they hold about 20lb of lead.

+1 Been using the same ones for years.

[tmc-okc]

How to turn a regular tin type muffin tin into a good ingot mould. ( will not work on coated muffin tins)

(1) Place 1 teaspoon of vinegar (any style) into each muffin cup.
(2) Cover muffin tray with Saran Wrap or tin foil
(3) Pierce Saran Wrap / tin foil over each muffin cup with a push pin
(4) Place outdoors in sunlight approx. 3-5 days and forget about it
(5) Next time you think about the muffin tin Uncover muffin tin and discard vinegar.

Your muffin cups are now covered in rust. In fact you may want to wire brush some of it off.

Sticking problem solved

Ron H

[William Yanda]

If you are using muffin tins, be selective, hold out for the aluminum ones. Lead will not stick-unless they are dented-DAMHIKT. You will not have to wait for them to rust, they never will.
Bill

[gwpercle]

If you are using muffin tins, be selective, hold out for the aluminum ones. Lead will not stick-unless they are dented-DAMHIKT. You will not have to wait for them to rust, they never will.
Bill

Wilton makes one piece aluminum muffin pans , in mini , regular , king size and jumbo....perfect for ingots. My mini-muffin pan has been in use for over 20 years. You might have to order them from Wilton as the one piece aluminum pans are hard to find.
The one piece pans can be ordered from Wilton for $6.99 each. Check out their site and look at the photo's to see the one piece muffin pans , not every one is one piece or aluminum...some are coated steel and two piece.

I bought a two piece aluminum Wilton mini muffin pan just to test . Have used it only once during last big big smelting session, I had a large quanitity of scrap lead to make into ingots and it did just fine. None of the cups came out, nothing stuck to any ofof the pressed in cup edges.....but my other 1 piece pan is over 20 years old....so time will tell, but so far so good.
Gary

[Bullwolf]

I use a few different ingot moulds.

My default lead ingot mould, is the aluminum 4 brick Lyman.

https://kingstonlures.com.au/sites/default/files/styles/uc_product_full/public/lmingot_0.jpg?itok=AeJfTe-q

I like the way they stack/fit in boxes with every other one inverted.

Used to have a Saeco version as well, but I've misplaced it over the years. Having two different types, helped me to easily segregate different alloys, before I started marking my ingots.

I also have a diving weight mould, for lead weight belts, but it's less convenient for cast boolit work. (and it could really use a handle)

https://diveimports.com/images/uploads/3lb_weight_mould.jpg

One of my pet peeves is with the inexpensive and more common Lee brand lead ingot mould.

http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0671/9677/products/Lee_Ingot_Mould_large.jpg?v=1422267710

Many people seem to like overfilling the Lee ingot mould so as to make one large heavy segmented ingot, instead of 4 separate ingots. (2 small, and 2 large)

I have a buddy who does this often, and I end up having to break them apart to mix up batches of lead for my use. It's not a big deal if you have a huge lead pot. If you cast with a small pot, or in smaller batches it makes it harder for me to melt though..

Which brings me to my next point.

As I'm getting older, I often cast smaller batches of boolits at a time, using an electric ladle, instead of a bottom pour pot. If you are not familiar with the electric ladle, you can find more info about them by searching for a CPalmer Hot-Pot, or a Hilts Moulds Hot1. They used to be quite popular for pouring fishing jigs with.

Casting a few full wad cutters, with the hand held electric ladle.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=114930&d=1409365478

Here's another Cast Boolits member who likes to cast with the Hot Pot.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?120640-Casting-Boolits-%28Bullets%29-With-A-Hot-Pot-2

http://i528.photobucket.com/albums/dd325/maglvr/casting.jpg

Anyhow, I'll blend bullet casting alloy into mini-muffin sized lead ingots, specifically for use with the hand held electric ladle.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_187904f3b0dd7648da.jpg http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_187904f3b0de87c371.jpg

My inexpensive rusted mini-muffin pan while not very pretty, has never failed to release the lead mini-muffin ingots with ease.

I find the smaller mini-muffin ingots more convenient for use with the Hot Pot. Here's a few larger bottom of the pot ingots, next to some mini muffin ingots for scale.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_187904f3b0eaeb722d.jpg http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_187904f3b0ec2500c9.jpg




- Bullwolf

[Echo]

Wilton makes a 12 cup mini-muffin pan that is formed from 1 piece of aluminum. No seperate cups, no coatings...been using mine for 20 years. Only find them in the special birthday cake section of store. Not in the regular baking section. Go to Wilton's web site and see them.
Spotted a 24 cup Wilton mini-muffin at wally-world and bought but this one has seperate cups rolled in . Made of all aluminum but haven't tried it out yet...12 cup 1-piece works like a charm.
Again, you will find the Wilton aluminum pans in the party supply area of store not in regular baking section.

Gary
I just bought a Wilton mini-muffin pan from Goodwill. All Aluminum, small cavities, just right for casting solder ingots. Anything in these small ingots will always be solder, and marked w/Sn oz...

[Rich22]

WalMart condiment cup ingot molds, cost me $4 total, cast 8 pounds at a time

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/maryalanab/2013-07-01_16-39-39_358_zps860ebc5a.jpg

If I may, how do you mount them to the metal? That is assuming that you do, cannot really tell from the picture. That is what I have been wanting to do, get 8 of them mounted to a piece of steel and can dump them out all at once. Maybe have to weld them.

[New Guy]

My favorite ingot mold for the last few years has been the Fox Run® 6-cup and 12-cup stainless steel muffin pans. I initially oil smoked the pans when they were new. The nice thing is that you can pour your ingots and walk away for a half hour without any worry of them sticking in the pans. They are a bit pricey compared to the Walmart aluminum and steel muffin pans but you only need to buy them once. Wayfair and Amazon usually have them available for sale.