Newbie needs advice from the Wise

[Combatmedic63]

Hello everyone,

I have been a member here at Castboolits for awhile. I don't post all that often, but I do read lots of threads. I need some advice from the wise, long time casters. I am a disabled vet on a fixed income and I have decided that after gaining the basic knowledge of casting, I think it's something I would like to do, so I would like to know what equipment (just the basics) I really need to get started. I know I need a pot, molds, and lead; but is there a way to size and lube on a budget? I have looked at the price of sizing presses and the dies and it seems like it might be out of my reach at this time. I know what some of you are thinking; if you can't afford the equipment, maybe you shouldn't take up the hobby of casting. You may be correct. This is why I am asking what I need to get started. Thanks in advance for your time and consideration.

Scott

[GregLaROCHE]

You can start simple. You need a mold, lead, something to melt it in and something to transfer it into the mold. I know a very accomplished BP cartridge shooter, who had electric pots, but now melts his lead in a simple saucepan and pours it into the mold with an oversized table spoon. He says he doesn’t need anything else.

Don’t think you can’t afford it. If you want to get into a lot of production, you may want an electric pot. I started with a Lee 20# pot eight years ago and it still serves my needs.

Good luck and welcome to the addiction.

[Combatmedic63]

You can start simple. You need a mold, lead, something to melt it in and something to transfer it into the mold. I know a very accomplished BP cartridge shooter, who had electric pots, but now melts his lead in a simple saucepan and pours it into the mold with an oversized table spoon. He says he doesn’t need anything else.

Don’t think you can’t afford it. If you want to get into a lot of production, you may want an electric pot. I started with a Lee 20# pot eight years ago and it still serves my needs.

Good luck and welcome to the addiction.

Thank you for your response. Don't the Boolits need to be sized in a press? Or is this optional?

[Sasquatch-1]

I started with a ladle, a tin can, a mold and the kitchen stove. The tin can did start to leak after a bit of use. Lee sizing dies are between $20.00 and $30.00, on Amazon. And you can learn how to pan lube.

Powder coating is actually cheap to get into. I picked up a toaster over for $10.00 at a yard sale and a pound of powder from Eastwood is 15 to 20 dollars and will last for quite a while.

[Combatmedic63]

I started with a ladle, a tin can, a mold and the kitchen stove. The tin can did start to leak after a bit of use. Lee sizing dies are between $20.00 and $30.00, on Amazon. And you can learn how to pan lube.

Powder coating is actually cheap to get into. I picked up a toaster over for $10.00 at a yard sale and a pound of powder from Eastwood is 15 to 20 dollars and will last for quite a while.

I'm assuming that in order to use the Lee sizing dies you can put them in a single stage press, is this correct? As far as powder coating, that was going to be my next question. I've read that powder coating cuts down significantly on the lead fouling. Is this correct?

[JSnover]

For general purpose boolits, sizing is optional. If you want to size or if you need to size, Lee push through die shouldn't break the bank. Pan lubing is cheap and easy and really not too messy once you get it dialed in.

[Sasquatch-1]

I'm assuming that in order to use the Lee sizing dies you can put them in a single stage press, is this correct? As far as powder coating, that was going to be my next question. I've read that powder coating cuts down significantly on the lead fouling. Is this correct?

Yes to the Lee sizing dies. They can be used in a standard size reloading press.

[pworley1]

You probably can get everything except lead and a mold at a thrift store. You can load with a Lee loader without a press, but good used presses can be found for the price of a new Lee loader if you really look for one. I would recommend that you powder coat instead of using lube. I have been using lube for over 50 years and still do for some loads, but I mostly powder coat now.

[GhostHawk]

Second hand stores should be your primary source for equipment. Including a fork (Mine is old old sterling silver) for cleaning dross and scraping. I find an old fashioned ice spike handy for several small jobs like cleaning up spills on the pot, floor, etc.

For pot I can tell you that I cast for years with a 7" cast fry pan.

For a ladle, consider a good deep gravy serving ladle with a hole drilled (not too big) about 2/3rds of the way from bottom dead center to rim.
You can scoop up a good bit of lead, then slip the mold under the hole, tip the ladle forward to get your silver stream into the mold.

I find a pair of pliers pretty handy.

What you use for a heat source is up to you. I've used wood fires, gas ranges, Coleman stoves, and electric hot plates.
But nothing beats a good electric melter.

If you didn't live way over east in Maine I'd give you a nice little Lee 4 lb dipper pot.

But, hit the second hand stores and think! You can do it.

[Combatmedic63]

Thank you guys so much for the advice and knowledge. I have two single stage presses that I use for reloading. I think I will buy the Lee dies and do the powder coating. I have about 100lbs of lead that I have been accumulating for the last few years. I assume that Lee molds are probably the least expensive available.

[Half Dog]

To me, starting off cheap is more costly. Some good equipment can be gotten at good prices and it will last. Look for estate/garage sales. Buy once and cry once.
I use the Hi-Tek coating, a container will last quite a while. The coating powder and an oven were the major costs there but thrift stores will have ovens periodically.
I size my bullets, it cuts down on the frustration further into the process of reloading.
I wish you luck on your adventure into casting. As I’m sure you have noticed, this site is a wealth of information. There have been many posts showing many homemade remedies that are very cost effective.

[Rockingkj]

You can lube with Lee liquid ALOX as a fairly inexpensive alternative. It’s a pour some on tumble in a container until coated set out to dry for a day. I use Lee sizing dies in reloading press. but according to Lee instructions sizing is not needed if the loaded round will chamber. Have not quite bought into that. ALOX according to Lee is a miracle substance. A bit like Chris Ledoux sang about Copenhagen it’s a cure all fits, caught, colds, runny nose, makes conception a wonder and child birth a pleasure. Seriously though with minimal out lay you can make shootable bullets quite reasonably . What Cal. are you looking to shoot?

[farmerjim]

90% of my molds are Lee. They are good. Be sure to lube the mold before casting use. There are several lubing methods to prevent galling. I like the aluminum anti seize and 2 cycle oil. other things also work.

[rancher1913]

a lee bottom pour pot, lee mold, lee push thru sizer can be had for around a hundred bucks. thrift store oven and smokes trial pak can be had for another 30 bucks. assuming you have the press and powder and primers you could be casting your own for less than 150 bucks. BUT it can get out of hand after you get going, expect to always need just one more mold or this or that and before long your in for thousands of dollars.

[murf205]

As far as powder coating, I bought a used toaster oven for $15 of of Craigslist but they are at thrift stores for cheap. But you can use your regular oven as long as you can get a thermometer to make sure you can get and maintain 380-400 degrees for 20 min. I it doesn't produce any toxic fumes that I can determine, so cook away! Just get some non-stick aluminum foil for the bottom of your pan. I have a little 10 Lee electric bottom pour pot that I bought in 1980 and is still pours just fine. Yeah, they might drip at times but that is not the end of the world, especially for a combat medic! I know 'cause I was one too.
What caliber are you going to start with? Do you already have a press and reloading dies? There are a lot of casting/loading hoarders...er, I mean collectors, here that can possibly help with some stuff they don't use anymore. Good luck brother.

[Jhopson]

The Lee APP is a good sizing machine they will not break the bank.


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[Minerat]

In lue of the lee push thru dies you might consider one of the NOE kits. Then you can add bushings as you expand into new calibers. The initial cost is about the price of 2 lees but once you have that the bushings are about 1/2 the cost.

https://noebulletmolds.com/site/prod...ough-size-die/.

I pan lubed until I could afford the sizer and dies.

Also you can post WTB ads before reaching 30 posts so may be able to find what you need in S&S.

[MrWolf]

As far as moulds for the lead ingots, simple corn bread molds can be used. Just let them rust up first. I've used them for years and again, flea market, Goodwill, or thrift stores. Those Asian cooking ladles with the holes work fine for getting out dross. Plenty of good ideas. Remember folks in the early west and explorers managed to do everything with a campfire back when. Good luck
Ron

[Combatmedic63]

You can lube with Lee liquid ALOX as a fairly inexpensive alternative. It’s a pour some on tumble in a container until coated set out to dry for a day. I use Lee sizing dies in reloading press. but according to Lee instructions sizing is not needed if the loaded round will chamber. Have not quite bought into that. ALOX according to Lee is a miracle substance. A bit like Chris Ledoux sang about Copenhagen it’s a cure all fits, caught, colds, runny nose, makes conception a wonder and child birth a pleasure. Seriously though with minimal out lay you can make shootable bullets quite reasonably . What Cal. are you looking to shoot?

I want to start out with 9mm, .41 Mag, and .45 colt

[Combatmedic63]

Thank you all for the great ideas and information.

Minerat I looked at the NOE link in your post, but the information is vague. Is the $46 push through size die body what I need to get started? Or should I just bite the boolit and find a used Lyman or RCBS sizing press? Which would be cheaper in the long run?