My lead ingot molds

[Tswafford]

8832288322
I was board last night so I built some ingot molds. It's hard to tell from the pics but all the seams are TIG welded and really smooth. These should last me forever.

[454PB]

Those are beauties! Too nice to dump dirty old lead into.

[Tswafford]

Thanks. They are roughly 6x3x1.5 minus material thickness. It took about three hours to make them but that was mostly looking for metal, and set up on the mill to cut the end angles. I could make them a lot faster now if I decide I need more. I probably could have just used muffin pans but I like to make my own when I can. I'm thinking about bead blasting them tonight just for the heck of it.

[GLL]

Beautiful !

What ingot weight?

Jerry

[Tswafford]

I don't know yet. I am just getting started in learning about casting my own boolits. I haven't even melted my first WW yet. I have been on this sight reading an learning everything I can get my hands on about it. I got a burner and a bucket of WW but I'm still trying to put together a few things before I get started. I just built these to keep my mind occupied while I'm getting rest of what I need. I happened across a picture on here of someone else's and thought hey I can make some of them. Maybe if the rain holds of I can try them out this weekend and see what the weight will be.

[fredj338]

Nice! COnsider welding two together & adding a short handle? What is nice about that size, you can have any ingot wt you want by partial filling them.

[Tswafford]

I could do that. Thanks for the idea. Also could someone tell me if they need to be "seasoned" before use and if so how? Thanks

[454PB]

No seasoning is needed, just make sure they are oil and moisture free.

My calculations based on your measurements say the ingots will weigh 11 pounds if poured completely full of pure lead.

[Tswafford]

Thanks. I may make some smaller ones tonight just for the heck of it. I already have the smaller channel laying around.

[CastingFool]

those look good. Years ago, I had a friend who was taking a metal casting class pour me a mold out of aluminum. I made the pattern, which I still have. Should have asked him to make two or three.

[forfun]

nice work they look great

[Tswafford]

Thanks. I was going to make some smaller ones last night but I decided to make a ladle and skimmer instead. I made these by cutting the top off of a couple old oxagen bottle safety caps. This is really thick and should last a lifetime. I know I could have bought some for next to nothing but I like the being able to say I made that when someone asked me where I bought something. 88380

[osteodoc08]

Good job. You could always consider a side business and sell some on here.

[Tswafford]

I'm in need of a thermometer for melting my lead. I would trade a couple of these molds for one of those. Not really thinking about a side business but I have no problem making up a few to trade for a few things that I need.

[Crusty Deary Ol'Coot]

Nice job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sure wish I had a tig outfit. yes I do!

But, will give that some thought and without the sophistication yours show, I think I can make a workable version just using my chop saw and wire machine.

Will be looking for some channel iron and angle iron for the end handles.

Nice JOB!!!!!!!!

Crusty Deary Ol'Coot

[bumpo628]

Nice looking stuff you made there.
On the ladle, try drilling a hole on the side opposite of the spout. Sometimes pouring thru a hole is nicer since the lead skins over on top. If you don't like it you can weld it up.

[runfiverun]

I let my steel molds rust it seems to act like a release agent.

[lwknight]

You could even weld a spout tube onto it.
Check out the rowel ladles idea.
http://www.advancecarmover.com/rowellbottom-pouringladles.aspx

[Crusty Deary Ol'Coot]

Yes, the Rowel Bottom pour ladle is the best I've ever used!

Crusty Deary Ol'Coot

[GlocksareGood]

That #4 Rowell looks just perfect for pouring 4.5 lb ingots. I use a lodge pouring pot that holds about 5lbs now. It has short handle and gets really hot after a little use. Don't care for that.

[Tswafford]

9009990095
Finally got around to making some smaller ones. These are roughly 4x1.75x1 outside. If it ever stops raining here maybe I can try them out and find out what weight ingot they make.

[Crusty Deary Ol'Coot]

Tswafford,

Am I correct that the channel iron on your first ones was 1 1/2X3 channel?

What about this last set?

Crusty Deary Ol'Coot

[Crusty Deary Ol'Coot]

Just noted 454PB's post, and maybe a piece of channel 1X2 might be a bit better weight for some of the ingots.

I like to team cast for other then my 45/70 boolits, and we go through a lot of metal very fast.

Use an old Coleman gas stove with about a 40 - 45LB cast iron pot.

So plenty of heat and alloy so I can add back the sprews and 2 - 3lb ingots and keep right on casting.

The approximately 11 lb ingots would possibly be a bit large and slow to melt so something a bit smaller would allow me to keep up our pace of casting with 4 - 5 molds running at the same time.

CDOC

[Tswafford]

The first ones were roughly 6" long,3" wide,1 3/8 deep. Outside measurement with 1/4 wall.
The second ones were roughly 4"long,1 3/4"wide 1" tall. Outside with 1/8 wall.
I just welded 3 of the small ones together and added a handle.

[Crusty Deary Ol'Coot]

Thanks,

CDOC

[Tswafford]

I won't know till I pour some but I don't think the big ones will be near 10 lbs. hopefully I can find out this weekend and report back.

[454PB]

The new smaller ones should hold about 2.75 pounds each. I'm doing these calculations without subtracting the channel wall thickness.

[Defcon-One]

Yeah, I say 2 lbs. on the Small ones and 8 lbs. on the Larger ones, filled to the top!

Good luck with them. Lots of fun ahead for you!

[Tswafford]

Thanks everyone

[Tswafford]

It finally stopped raining long enough for me to check the weight on the large size molds. They are weighing right around 5lbs. I have found that I prefer the smaller size at around 2.5lbs for my applacation, so I have four of the large ones if anybody needs them. As always thanks to everyone that has helped guide me along the way.

[TheGrimReaper]

Very nice craftsmanship!