NOE and Lee Sprue opening jigs

[Grmps]

Sprue plate opening jig for lee 2 cavity mold initial prototype.

https://i.imgur.com/WdJkTi4.jpg

I figured tapping on the sprue plate to cut the sprues did the aluminum 2 cavity molds no favors so came up with this prototype “jig”

You set the mold on the mold rest, and slide the mold in to the mold body stop making sure the sprue plate is under the Mold lever stop (I know the name doesn’t make good sense I will change the name later)

https://i.imgur.com/fzCyczr.jpg

Press down on the mold handles cutting the sprues into the basket

https://i.imgur.com/lt0nOOk.jpg

Tap on hinge lightly if needed to release boolits.
I’m planning on putting metal sleeves over the bolt threads and making a longer mold body stop.
So far it works.

[OS OK]

'PDS' . . . purdy dang slick !

[Bzcraig]

You should soon get to the point of opening the sprue plate with your gloved hand

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

It took me quite a while to figure out the gloved hand technique...but when I did, I couldn't believe I didn't do that sooner. Pre-heating the mold is a prerequisite.

[fcvan]

I use a large spoon to scoop my sprue from the folded towel. I intend to modify a large spoon to have a slot to pry the sprue plate open rather than use a gloved hand. I also use the large spoon to inspect the boolits before placing them into the metal container where I deposit cast boolits. I often use two molds, of different calibers, at the same time. I find I cane fill the mold, set it down, pick up the previous mold, open, and inspect boolits, and repeat. I previously had a wooden dowel, (closet rod with bicycle inner tube) with a spoon inserted on one end. I would prefer to open the sprue plate with the mechanical advantage provided by a spoon with a slotted cut. I just need to do it.

[Rcmaveric]

I never had a problem using a gloved hand by setting the mold on the edge of the pot to warm. Then when I am ready to start, I just dip the corner in for 15 count then cast away.

[Grmps]

I started using a dipper and gloved hands, I found bottom pour to be so much quicker and cleaner All the "garbage" floats on top

Size 3xl gloves are a little snug and they tend to start shrinking after a few casting sessions.

I do use a hotplate; I prewarm the molds to 400-450°

My joints are becoming an (unfortunately) good barometer so "necessity is the mother of invention"

[BNE]

Cool idea. Thanks.

[Polar_Hunter]

I like it! Got to try it.

[mold maker]

If we all liked and used the same, think what a short discussion most subjects would produce. If it works for you, it's the right way.
Yours is a novel approach.
Thanks for sharing.

[Bama]

Cgood idea, I am going to make one up. Would let us old guys with joint issues cast a few more years. Keep ideas coming. Thanks

[oneofsix]

I like it too Grmps, pretty durn slick.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J120AZ using Tapatalk

[gregtu]

I love the basket. It would be perfect for PC.

[pacomdiver]

Greg, i use the same type baskets for my powdercoat, got them from bed, bath and beyond last year for 7 or 8 bucks each, have one for each color i coat

[Handloader109]

Good idea if your hands are hiring. I don't use warmer, mold on side of pot to preheat. Gloves, open with hand, catch sprue and drop back into the pot. Easy

[MaryB]

Nice idea I will copy! Hand arthritis is creeping in on me and after 2 carpal tunnel surgeries anything I can do to be less repeat stress is a good thing!

[Oklahoma Rebel]

the gloved hand method, do you grasp the end of the mold block with your palm and first 2-3 fingers, and use your thumb to push on the sprueplate? I have heard of the gloved hand method before, but cant really picture it...

[Grmps]

With a little modification, this also works for NOE molds
remove the mold body stop bolt and move the sprue "stopper farther out (set to match your mold)
this works for my 4 cavity mold but the mold body stop bolt scratches the back of the mold

https://i.imgur.com/WdJkTi4.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/s4iimbR.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/nTOUov7.jpg

[Outer Rondacker]

I like the glove hand method. I have to admit when I gave the wooden dowel method a try the sprue went a flying. I could get behind a jig like this. I like slow and with control. Looks good to me.

[Grmps]

NOE revision, you could replace the bolt with a piece of wood
Works great with NOE molds

https://i.imgur.com/2CPvOAx.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/45YcTZ5.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/JBfOMcy.jpg

[Rick Hodges]

I'm a gloved hand type.

[Oklahoma Rebel]

could someone take a pic of exactly how you hold the mold when you open it with a gloved hand? do you mean you hit the sprueplate with your palm, or grasp the mold block and push the plate with your thumb? I must sound dumb, but I cant really figure out exactly how you do it, using your palm to hit it doesn't sound fun at all

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I don't 'grasp' the blocks...I just have my thumb on the sprue plate extension and my index finger on the other side of the blocks and slide the plate open by moving my thumb toward my finger.

[Walter Laich]

On my NOE mold I stole the handle from a Lee 6-gang sprue plate. Works fine

[Grmps]

NOE Sprue-opening-jig major upgrade all wood easy to make, can't mar the mold
I cut a groove in the base to
adjust the base length for your mold size.
next modification will be a piece of slotted angle iron attached to the bottom of the wood base so I can easily adjust depth according to mold size

https://i.imgur.com/FUuYj2S.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/oVMONU5.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ioUWB4F.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/fudNIHO.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/IjTFdGb.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/6qkQAc9.jpg

[Walter Laich]

all these are great ideas.

Going to have to fab some and see what works best for me

[Oklahoma Rebel]

nice work!

[Grmps]

Easy modification for RCBS molds
https://i.imgur.com/LqH0YCf.png

https://i.imgur.com/5NgdITT.png

https://i.imgur.com/HGJ2y2b.png

[Grmps]

Modification for Lee 2 cavity molds, add a 1/2" piece of wood and cut a notch out where the sprue plate stop is.

https://i.imgur.com/yxcAM21.png

https://i.imgur.com/6SyVrko.png

https://i.imgur.com/XzNEudc.png

https://i.imgur.com/lzszNE9.png

seems I never get past the prototype stage :(, the prototypes work so why make another one?:)

[OS OK]

Yeah Grmps...those pesky sprue plates really take up your time, 'opening & closing' all that hammering. I just quit using the sprue plate all together.

https://i.imgur.com/0jSGuH2.jpg

It does make the cast a wee bit harder to seat though . . .:bigsmyl2:

[Mac118]

Very intriguing. I like the jig idea and design using wood instead of the bolts. My hands are a little arthritic and tried the gloved hand but I found after a while my knuckles got a little sore. I think I'll make one of these for my NOE schuetzen stop-ring bullet mold. Thanks for posting the info.

[robg]

Must try that ,my hands are giving me grief if I cast too long these days .

[Grmps]

As they say, necessity is the mother of invention.
the jig is angled down and angled toward me to limit the amount of motion required to use it.

I also use the Garland 11001 Rawhide Mallet, Size-1 4 ounces

[KenH]

OK Grmps, that's getting just a bit too high tech for opening a sprue plate! (GOOD IDEA! I just might try that rather than the old wooden stick I've used for 40 yrs.


NOE Sprue-opening-jig major upgrade all wood easy to make, can't mar the mold
I cut a groove in the base to
adjust the base length for your mold size.
next modification will be a piece of slotted angle iron attached to the bottom of the wood base so I can easily adjust depth according to mold size

https://i.imgur.com/FUuYj2S.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/oVMONU5.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ioUWB4F.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/fudNIHO.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/IjTFdGb.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/6qkQAc9.jpg