Im having some problems, that i've previously not had much, and I need some advice. Ive cast 38s and 44 and 45s and 30 caliber projectiles previously with no problems with the same moulds, pot, and ladle.
But now, im having this problem. I get incomplete fill out on the driving bands with varying degrees of frosting from none to complete. I've tried a couple different heat settings, and consequently several different mould temperature ranges. I am running a lee 430-310-rf, that previously run okay when just below frosting temperature. So I switched to a lee 30 caliber mould that I know runs good.. and I have some better success, but not as good as the mould normally does.
I am using straight wheel weights. But I aint using ingots, im melting them right into my pot and fluxing with sawdust and beeswax. I know it aint right but its been working for me a while.
Fluxing with beeswax as needed between pot fill ups.
I've cleaned my moulds with brake cleaner or lighter fluid.
I ran them dry a short period for a base, and then lubed with the tiniest amount of synthetic 2 cycle oil to make sure that I wasnt getting contamination.
I dont have a thermometer. Im using a lee pot and lyman dipper.
I think, my problem is the melt is not hot enough. Edit, I also think that It could be I got a small batch of bad lead that either aint got enough tin in it or something else with it aint right.
I had a few months not casting, and I left my pot outside on the covered porch, and it rusted. I wire brushed it and went to work, but Im thinking that the heating element might have rusted inside and is affecting the amount of heating vs the numbers that i've previously used. I had the melt hot enough that I was getting purple on the top if I left it for a long break, then I cut it back some.
So... Do i need to add tin? Is my melt not hot enough? Im I just stupid? What Am I missing this go round?
Thanks for the help.
~Bazoo