Search:

The two that I built are doing OK. The next mod on them will be airflow diverters for the mold cooling fans to keep the mold temps consistent wheather I'm throwing 115 gr 9s or 250 gr 45s. Originally...

Still kicking guys. Struggling to get the business running. Kind of hard to sell bullets when no one can get any powder to load with.

I have two machines running pretty reliably now. The one the...

I ran MC#1 yesterday with the repaired rail. I replaced the broken hardened sprue plate cam pin. I replaced the broken pin with a 3/8 inch hot rolled rod. I only ran about 5-700 bullets through it...

OK, as usual you guys just blow me away with all the hard earned knowledge you have.

I'm sitting here right now looking at the picture/diagram I got off the PID/temp control thread I found here on...

I am going to take a hard look at that pin when I do the repair. I have come to realize that I need to look at these machines a little differently than most folks do. Whereas the average caster might...

It sheared off along the grain structure right at the weld. Looks like they got it a little too hot. For now I'll pull the rail off MC#3 and stick it in there. That will buy me time to carefully...

Fired up machine #1 (Larry) yesterday to try out my 00 mold. The mold had just started throwing fairly good shot, although I really don't like the sprue it leaves on the shot, when the sprue cam...

Availability is the main issue. If I can get a machine put together and it works then I will certainly search for less expensive feedstock.

I can't see why it wouldn't work either. I think the same alloy I am using now would work.

I'm thinking of it as an alternative method of producing 00 and #4 buck. It looks like it would be faster...

Actually I am wondering if it would be a better way than casting to produce 00 buck. As for buying one, that is out of the question. What I am thinking about is proposing this to the next batch of ME...

Do any of you guys know anything about a skew rolling mill?

$2.00 per mile is a pretty good deal. The shipping is why this deal won't work for me. I live about 2562 miles from Ft Lewis.

Heads up, the Gov is auctioning off a small lot of lead in Washington State.

90,000 lbs. approx. Lead ballast scrap stored on 34 pallets. Scrap lead is located at Ft. Lewis, WA. Lead scrap may...

In a perfect world you would be absolutely right. Unfortunately I live here on planet earth. A little ways away from perfect but it's all I've got so I have to work with it.

The program at OU is...

I have an interesting exchange going on with the head of the mechanical Engineering Dept at OU. I offered to let some of his students visit my shop and he thinks this is a good idea. Really, that...

I don't have enough experience with iron molds or automated machines yet to say much. However, I sure do hope I can get to the same point you have ASAP. I really envy you. You must be really good or...

Yep, that's why so many indoor ranges don't want you to use lead bullets anymore. This is the kind of stuff Lawyer's wet dreams are made of.

To be honest with you I'm far less concerned with...

It sure does help. I touch the lead and stay further away from it with the machines than I would using hand molds. Having a little more distance from the molten lead is nice. Still I have been going...

Thanks for the pic of the sprue plate mod.

Lead affects the developing brain. We're both way past that. I think we're safe.

I've done cell culture before so I'm used to aseptic technique. The trick is to never actually touch anything that goes into your mouth in a situation like this. You can eat a sandwich from a baggie...

"Also when the machine is running perfect - don't stop it."

Yep, already been there. The wife and I have had a discussion about that. Generally we try to avoid eating sandwiches since they usually...

That's a thought. Have you ever tried adding tin to the stuff we're casting with? That 115 gr 9mm mold I had so much trouble getting good fill out with might be a good one to try it with.

I just...

Hatch: I'll check my times but I think I'm already shorter than that. As far as lead temp goes I'm using the stock thermostat. Checking that against a lead thermometer I have shows a lot of variation...

Here's a couple of questions for those of you who have been running an automated MC for a while. Do bullets have a tendency to stick in the rear cavity of your molds?

I've encountered this with...

I'm afraid the credit for any engineering has to go to the students who worked om MC#1. Me, I just cobble stuff together out of desperation. That's where the foot operated Star and the second...