Start up scrounging

[SciFiJim]

Boy, the list of things to scrounge just continues to grow.

Let's see

Lead in any form except batteries. soft, pure can be traded for WW alloy. It's easier to make soft lead hard than to make hard lead soft.

pewter dishes and bric-a-brac for smelting into tin.

cast iron or stainless pot for smelting

old slotted spoon and old ladle for smelting

old muffin pans or similar small sized ingot molds

camp stove or burner for smelting

burned out gas grill for regulator and hoses

propane tanks I already have this

That's just to get to ingots - Then

bottom pour casting pot

molds for .40 s&w .357/.38 .451 (two and/or 6 cavity)

handles for molds

handle for lead hammer (to make my own using a 1 inch copper tee for mold)

landing zone for dropped bullets (either old towel or bucket of water)

thermometer for checking melt temp

push through sizer for each caliber

LUBE - cant forget that (may make my own or ALOX)

Is there anything obvious that I am forgetting? I am obviously starting from scratch.

Oh yea, Flux - either sawdust, charcoal, or kitty litter, I like the sawdust CFF idea.

Anything else?

[jforwel]

Only three moulds? Yeah you're forgetting a lot.:mrgreen:

[TDC]

Leather gloves, leather apron, eye protection..... If you use small propane tanks get a 5 gallon tank and a small tank refill adapter from Harbor Freight... Save ya a bunch in fuel.

Let us know when you finish you first 1000 boolits!:drinks:

TC

[SciFiJim]

jforwel - I currently only have three calibers to load for. This is just to get me started.
TDC - Thanks for helping me to remember safety. That should be everyone's First thought but it's easy to get caught up in the excitement, like a kid at Christmas.

I will definitely post pictures of my first boolits. As I learn from the experiences of others, I wish that more pictures were posted as examples.

[Sprue]

Boy, the list of things to scrounge just continues to grow.

Thats an understatement. Quit while you're ahead, before the rampant disease takes hold. Run, run away. :coffee:

You want pics... here's a couple:

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh266/spilihp_2007/b1e7f17b.jpg.

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh266/spilihp_2007/052053e6.jpg

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh266/spilihp_2007/b6bc4097.jpg

[SciFiJim]

Quit while you're ahead, before the rampant disease takes hold.It's too late, the bug has already bitten. I just need to find the items to scratch the itch with.:roll:

Your smelting setup looks nice. How much does each one of those muffins weigh?

Your burner is the type that I am looking for. Harbor Freight has them on sale right now but in the spirit of scroungers I want to find one or similar at a yard sale. I found a six quart stainless pot this weekend for $1 at a yard sale. Oh well, one piece at at time I guess.

[troy_mclure]

look for turkey fryers, craw fish boilers on the internet/pawn shops. you can find them new with everything to hook to a propane tank for <$30 new. plus they are designed to hold hundreds of lbs.

[SciFiJim]

The itch is getting worse. I got this (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=50811) today!

[Wilburt]

Sprue, what mold did you use for those SWC's

[Trey45]

I'm still fairly new to boolit casting, one thing I have found I need a LOT of is plastic tubs to put my cast boolits in! Coffee cans work, country crock tubs, cool whip tubs, really anything with a lid. Label EVERYTHING! I usually list the date, the alloy, the weight, the bullet mould, and what type of lube. Also, if you have more than one sizing die, ie, .357 & .358, write which die was used. The more information you give yourself, the better off you'll be.

[Slow Elk 45/70]

The list of "things" we all need is endless, with so many ideas out there , all you have to do is decide what works best for you and "keep on Scrounging". I've been at this for +40 years, and I am always on the hunt for something. I love it!!

[mold maker]

Go to your favorite restaurant and ask them to save you some of the plastic jars that slaw, pickles, and mayo comes in. They make a wonderful container for cleaned brass etc.
Your druggist can save you the desiccant containers from the bulk drugs he opens. These, used in closed containers keep things dry. (no rust or tarnish) You can refresh these ovev and over in the oven at 250* for an hr. or so.
Even the bulk drug containers are air tight heavy plastic, for bullets.
Cheap is good, but FREE rocks, and keeps it out of the landfill.

[2TN Mules]

Another good plastic container are the plastic container bulk packed cd's come in. Cut off the center spindle and turned upside down they make great containers for brass, boolits, etc..

[thebigmac]

HELP!!!! I CRACKED THE BOTTOM OF MY LARGE MELTING POT. IT'S CAST IRON AND LARGE ENOUGH TO HOLD ABOUT 50 POUNDS. QUESTION---- CAN THIS BE WELDED ?? MAYBE ON THE INSIDE & OUTSIDE???? ANYBODY SOLVE THIS PROBLEM BEFORE ??? THANKS, thebigmac

[waksupi]

HELP!!!! I CRACKED THE BOTTOM OF MY LARGE MELTING POT. IT'S CAST IRON AND LARGE ENOUGH TO HOLD ABOUT 50 POUNDS. QUESTION---- CAN THIS BE WELDED ?? MAYBE ON THE INSIDE & OUTSIDE???? ANYBODY SOLVE THIS PROBLEM BEFORE ??? THANKS, thebigmac

Take it to a professional welder. They should be able to braze it.

[dromia]

Bull Plate Lube.

[grumman581]

HELP!!!! I CRACKED THE BOTTOM OF MY LARGE MELTING POT. IT'S CAST IRON AND LARGE ENOUGH TO HOLD ABOUT 50 POUNDS. QUESTION---- CAN THIS BE WELDED ?? MAYBE ON THE INSIDE & OUTSIDE???? ANYBODY SOLVE THIS PROBLEM BEFORE ??? THANKS, thebigmac

I don't think that I would attempt to braze it... If you are going to do it right, then weld it... Depending upon the size of your melting pot, it might be cheaper to buy a new one vs hiring a welder to do it... Here's some info from Lincoln about welding cast iron:

http://www.lincolnelectric.com/knowledge/articles/content/castironpreheat.asp

http://www.lincolnelectric.com/knowledge/articles/content/castironelectrodes.asp

Sometimes you'll get good results welding cast iron, sometimes not... There is quite a bit of variance in the amount of carbon in the cast iron, so a method that works on one piece might not work on another piece...

[Just Duke]

Don't forget bullet lube. http://www.lsstuff.com/index.html