Vented two Lee molds today

[melloairman]

Both are .311 100 grain RN . One was the old design and the other the new design . Both were very usable as delivered but liked to be pressure casted . Which I do not like because of the mess but will use when needed . I have had other mold brands other than Lee that cost more than twice as much have the same issue . I took the handle bolt off and cut a groove on one half of the mold . Smoothed the edges and replaced the bolt . About ten minutes a mold . When I was done venting the molds I filled the pot and tried them out . No more pressure casting needed now and no more mess while casting . Might have to vent a few more . Marvin
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn55/melloroadman/IMG_7460-Copy_zps03e0e2a9.jpg (http://s301.photobucket.com/user/melloroadman/media/IMG_7460-Copy_zps03e0e2a9.jpg.html)
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn55/melloroadman/IMG_7455-Copy_zps750c8387.jpg (http://s301.photobucket.com/user/melloroadman/media/IMG_7455-Copy_zps750c8387.jpg.html)

[longbow]

Looks good.

Something else I find that helps on many moulds is to very slightly beak the top edges of the mating faces under the sprue plate. That allows air to vent out under the sprue plate and only takes a few minutes with a diamond hone.

Looks like you also did the top of the mould blocks as well. That should help too.

It is nice when a mould fills up and out completely isn't it? Makes a world of difference to a casting session.

Longbow

[melloairman]

I did the top of the one half . And it is more enjoyable not to have to pressure cast and deal with the mess .Marvin

[Spawn-Inc]

thanks for the tip! i have some ones that like pressure casting better, i may give it a shot.

[williamwaco]

I have thought about that but didn't have the nerve.

Where did you cut the groove?
I can't see it in the photos.

[melloairman]

I have thought about that but didn't have the nerve.

Where did you cut the groove?
I can't see it in the photos.
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn55/melloroadman/IMG_7455-Copy1_zps8443fd6c.jpg (http://s301.photobucket.com/user/melloroadman/media/IMG_7455-Copy1_zps8443fd6c.jpg.html)

[melloairman]

This is a mold I paid $125.00 for . No work required .
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn55/melloroadman/IMG_7357-Copy_zps77ba82ac.jpg (http://s301.photobucket.com/user/melloroadman/media/IMG_7357-Copy_zps77ba82ac.jpg.html)
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn55/melloroadman/IMG_7356-Copy_zps688a401d.jpg (http://s301.photobucket.com/user/melloroadman/media/IMG_7356-Copy_zps688a401d.jpg.html)
This is a mold I paid $20.00 for . And was very useable .Both bullets are moa accurate . Just a little improvement in the venting to make life easier was all I needed to do . Marvin
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn55/melloroadman/IMG_7388-Copy_zps77786ea7.jpg (http://s301.photobucket.com/user/melloroadman/media/IMG_7388-Copy_zps77786ea7.jpg.html)

[JWFilips]

Is this total procedure posted in detail, anywhere on this forum? Would love to tackle one of mine that always needs pressure casting.
I'm not sure if I can tell enough from this post to try it with confidence but it looks good/

[melloairman]

Is this total procedure posted in detail, anywhere on this forum? Would love to tackle one of mine that always needs pressure casting.
I'm not sure if I can tell enough from this post to try it with confidence but it looks good/
There really is not much detail .I made sure the mold closed all the way before I began. I removed the pivot bolt to separate the mold haves . Then I used a square and a fine tip felt pin to draw a line down the center of the mold cavities one side . Placed that side of the mold in a vise and with a cut off blade on the dremel I cut a groove on the face of the mold and the top . The depth of the groove is up to you . Not much is needed just enough to help the air escape . Then I used some 2000 grit sand paper followed with some 0000 steel wool only on the grooved area not the entire mold face to make sure there were no burs that would keep the mold from closing all the way . Replaced the handle bolt , made sure the mold would close all the way .Marvin

[Wayne Smith]

I think if I were doing that I'd use a triangular file rather than a dremel.

[Old Scribe]

I'm new to the forum, and in particular casting hard lead. That said, what is the reason for venting the molds? I've cast lead round balls for years and never heard of venting.

[prs]

The air has to escape quickly to avoid exterior flaws and entrained voids. Long small caliber boolits are the most challenging.

prs