If you do, it will function to retain heat.
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I also use a solid top hotplate with an old circular saw blade on top for mold preheating or when resting to keep mold at temp.
It makes getting the mold up to casting temp much faster
I just turn on the lead pot and the hot plate at the same time. takes about 30 minutes for the lead to come up to 725. Mold it plenty hot by then and I start casting
You should not need any solid metal anything on a flat surface plate.
The reason for the saw blade on open coils is to distribute the heat evenly to the mold (like a flat top does). It is possible to warp or distort a mold if it is on top of red-hot coils. I have never seen it..............just read about it, but why take the chances???????????????
the saw blade adds more surface area. I can easily heat 2 molds if needed and no drawbacks from having the blade on top
I might cast about 5 Lee size lead ingots from range scrap in about 5 hours using my Lee pot. Can I expect the same with a 1500 watt hotplate?
I just bought a good buy on Amazon: 1500 watt hotplate for $18.99! It's about 1/3 off.
https://www.amazon.com/STECOKER-Elec...%2C192&sr=8-21
You can expect a MUCH SLOWER output with an electric hotplate than that! Get a turkey fryer for re-melting!!!!!!!!
I cast "Lee" ingot mold ingots at the rate of 4 every 5 minutes or less with my propane plumber's furnace. Depends ONLY on the cooling rate of the molds, which I sit on a soaking wet cloth towel for cooling. I have 5 Lee molds, 4 SAECO molds, and 5 RCBS molds to pour into. Call me a "casting fool" I guess! I love commercial molds. I do not waste time with round muffin tins or cookware molds (such as corn ear molds) I see people use on here! Or "things" made from welded angle iron. 1± pound commercial trapezoidal ingots work for me :drinks: .
Bought this one in December, 4.5 out of 5, and 24,589 ratings, I chose the cast flat plate but coiled and double burner versions also available. Cheaper than driving to town and scrounging around at Goodwill.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...0?ie=UTF8&th=1
Is there an advantage of the coil vs flat plate hot plate? Has anyone compared?
I agree. When I plan to process large amounts of lead, I'll consider the turkey fryer.
Flat tops give intimate contact with the mold surface and transfer heat at a much better/faster rate.
And, as I said above, I have read of mold damage from molds sitting on glowing red coils. I would not risk it!
Flat-tops are not as common as those cheap coil thingies. Watch around.
Like I said in post #16 above, I paid a lot for my high output digital controlled flat top lab grade hotplate. You would be VERY lucky to find one like it at a junk store or yard sale. But............................you never know! If you live close to a University or science lab facility.....who knows!
Better pay up front rather than waste expensive fuel driving to hades an back searching for one. Or use a saw blade! [smilie=s:
banger
I spent 6 months stopping by a Goodwill on my way home to find a hotplate. No luck. So, I bought a new one online
As far as open coil vs flat goes they are basically the same. The flat has a cool in or under it.
I vote flat hot plate as there is no need for a flat piece of metal added for uniform temps and clean up would be easier if needed.
One of the best additions to my casting.
Highly recommended.
I ran across this hotplate about 2 months ago, it followed me home. So old it has cloth covered electrics, but it is nearly brand new in original box. Cast iron top plate.
2000 Watts. came with a 4 inch cast iron lead pot.
Haven't used it yet, but did plug it in to warm it up.
Seemed to work just fine.
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https://i.imgur.com/tLyTV5e.jpg
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https://i.imgur.com/egNsQ2Y.jpg
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https://i.imgur.com/fDDg3WU.jpg