homemade ingot molds from angle iron?

[rondog]

Does anybody have any good photos and details about making homemade ingot molds out of angle iron? Sure would appreciate some details about successful molds! I have enough scrap angle iron to make a few, just need to know the best way to do it. Thanks!

[maddog2020]

take the angle iron, cut two flat plates to fit each end, that will act as legs. I have one , I'll dig it out and get you a picture

[Edubya]

Does anybody have any good photos and details about making homemade ingot molds out of angle iron? Sure would appreciate some details about successful molds! I have enough scrap angle iron to make a few, just need to know the best way to do it. Thanks!

They are very simple. Use 1,75" or 2" angle Iron about 5" long. Cut one end at a slight angle so that the mold can release easily. If you can cut a number of these at the same length, you can make a gang mould and turn out 4,5 or more ingots at a time. I've got one that is an 8 ganger.
If you use angle iron on the two perpendicular end pieces, you will have a good mounting surface for a handle.
EW

[rondog]

They are very simple. Use 1,75" or 2" angle Iron about 5" long. Cut one end at a slight angle so that the mold can release easily. If you can cut a number of these at the same length, you can make a gang mould and turn out 4,5 or more ingots at a time. I've got one that is an 8 ganger.
If you use angle iron on the two perpendicular end pieces, you will have a good mounting surface for a handle.
EW

Good info! Got any photos?

[257 Shooter]

Try this link http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...ht=ingot+mould for a picture.

[ktw]

These are mine. You might want to consider adding a better way to pick them up and handle them when hot.

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g232/ktwna/ingot-molds.jpg

[geargnasher]

Here's mine, 1-1/4" angle 5-1/8" long with 1" angle across the ends. Makes exactly one pound ingots, makes alloy math easy. The handle is an old 1/2-ton truck axle u-bolt. There is a slight cant to the end pieces, about 5* which aids in ejecting the cooled ingots. I fitted mine very tightly and welded on the back, if you don't get your joints TIGHT the ingots will stick when things get heated up and the lead flows into the crevasses.

Gear

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=16205&d=1254796496

[fredj338]

3" channel iron, about 5" long w/ end plates welded, makes very nice mold that stacks well.

[GLL]

Here is one made by Jawjaboy that produces 5 pound ingots.

I own five of them. :)

VERY nicely made ! Wish I could weld like that !

Jerry

http://www.fototime.com/5A6777B8FA7EE62/orig.jpg

[harrya]

Rondog,
Check out your local furniture store. They sometimes have old bed frames that are "in the way". I've made a couple of molds using that size angle iron. Not the largest, but the best price. Also the attachment for the wheels make good handles.
harrya

[pistolman44]

The trouble with bed frame angle is that they are tempered steel which makes it hard to cut. But you can still weld them up.

[DLCTEX]

An abrasive chop saw makes short work of the bed rails and can cut at an angle to tilt the ends. Set a stop and you can turn out the pieces in a hurry. I don't like to gang the pieces more than 4 wide for easy handling.

[part_timer]

GLL

I made a couple of those that throw 4 at a time but they didn't work out so well, there isn't wasn't angle on them so they stick BAD. The singles look like the ticket.

[alamogunr]

The trouble with bed frame angle is that they are tempered steel which makes it hard to cut. But you can still weld them up.

I don't think all are tempered steel. I needed some angle to mount a squirrel cage blower on so I cut it from some old frame rails with a hacksaw. Wasn't really a problem. I suppose if your time is valuable, you could use an abrasive cutoff. It took me all of 15 minutes to cut two 12" pieces(4 cuts). I don't weld, but if I did, I have the rest of the frame rails that could be used for ingot molds.

John
W.TN

[rondog]

Try this link http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...ht=ingot+mould for a picture.

Linky no werky.

Thanks for all the photos and info guys! I was wondering about the weld seams and lead seeping in, but cutting the angle iron pieces at an angle on the ends is something I'd have never thought of. That's the kind of priceless info I'm looking for!

As a packrat, I'll scrounge and hang onto things for years without needing/using it. But, eventually I'll get rid of things, then find a NEED for that very item within months. I had a homemade pallet dolly I pulled out of a dumpster, just so I could salvage the six 5" caster wheels off it. Held onto the frame for many years, finally tossed it out. Yep, it was made out of angle iron and channel iron. Would have been perfect for this.

[Boondocker]

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c277/boondocker6/Casting%20furnace/DSCF4738.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c277/boondocker6/Casting%20furnace/DSCF4739.jpg

Ron here is one of mine I made, I welded mine on the outside and have no problem . I did not angle the ends like I should, tho if I flop em down the ingots fall out. I left them outsie to rust and I will see how the drop next session.


http://s29.photobucket.com/albums/c277/boondocker6/Casting%20furnace/?start=20

[crabo]

They dump so much easier if they are rusted. Not as pretty, but they work much better.

[rondog]

They dump so much easier if they are rusted. Not as pretty, but they work much better.

:?::?::?: Rust is a good thing?

[alamogunr]

:?::?::?: Rust is a good thing?

Absolutely! I've got some cast iron muffin pans that I have left out in the weather. Very rusty. Dump little lead biscuits every time.

John
W.TN

[rondog]

Oh, this is gonna be hard. I HATE rust, and have the beadblast cabinet to prove it. I might be too anal for this, I'd be fighting the urge to b/blast my molds to clean 'em up all the time.

[DLCTEX]

If you sand blast them then you'd better spray them with a mould release.

[StrawHat]

Oh, this is gonna be hard. I HATE rust, and have the beadblast cabinet to prove it. I might be too anal for this, I'd be fighting the urge to b/blast my molds to clean 'em up all the time.

Yep, rust is our friend. but just like bluing and browning, we need to control the rust. So if you have issues, I think you could just use a cold bluing or browning solution and color your ingot molds instead of rusting them. The results should be the same but it would go easier on your conscience.

Good luck (and don't bead blast your molds.)