Powder coating: Diving in head first.

[littlejack]

I've been doing quite a bit of researching on the powder coating techniques. Lots of great information here on the forum. Found out not to trust the thermometer on the toaster ovens, or at least not untill you have corroborated the temperatures with a different trusted thermometer. Sooo, I'm asking the expierienced multitude which thermometer they found was best. Would it be one of the probe models that one would have to drill a hole in the oven for the probe, or one that hangs on the rack in the oven while cooking the boolits. Thank you in advance.

[hc18flyer]

I had one for my home oven that sits on the shelf, very close to what my convection oven has on the dial. I started with 'smokes' powders and instructions a few months ago, haven't had a bad batch yet. I bet I have run 15 batches thru my $10. Goodwill 'turbo' toaster oven. I did just learn to wait to start the timer till I get back up to 400 degrees on larger batches and to run longer than 20 minutes on larger bullets. I have watched some of CW's videos too. I like it. hc18flyer

[Cast10]

I found a Cooper. It seems to be accurate enough to cook PC on boolits.

[littlejack]

Just came back from shopping around. Picked up a nice GE toaster oven for $20.00. Not very big, but I don't do big batches. It will probably take about 150 boolits per turn. I've already contacted Smokes about a sample pack of colors. He's out of black airsoft bb's. Went by WW today, and they didn't have any bb's at all. I'll keep checking places. I'm going to start with Lee 255 grain rnfp. Shouldn't have any trouble standing them up. Spose I could go down to the local HF and pick up some red powder. From what I've seen on posts it works purdy good. I really like the "speckled" look. Is it difficult to get that to come out looking right?
Still checking on thermometers.

[Dancing Bear]

I drilled a hole on top of the oven( avoid the heater rods) and use a digital thermometer. Make sure to dedicate the oven for pc'ing!

[hc18flyer]

I don't use the Bob's and it works fine for me. I like them speckled too!

[pworley1]

A harbor freight infrared will get you close enough. On mine 375 on the oven is running about 410 and makes nice bullets. I made some trays out of 1/4th inch hardware cloth
and I shake my bullets in an old powder bottle. I shake a few minutes then pour them into the tray that is sitting in an old 9x13 cake pan. I shake the tray to get the excess powder off and level out the bullets. My oven has a 30 minute timer and I just turn it all the way and let it go. Good luck with yours.

[littlejack]

hc18flyer
I didn't get the "Bob's" remark?? Inform me.

[Hick]

I have done thousands with Smoke's clear and do not use a thermometer. The trick is to always use the same batch size (I use 50 at a time) and mark the dial on the oven to the spot you want. I use a Black & Decker toaster oven, set at 400 degrees, and bake the bullets 15 min in a pre-heated oven. Some people try to measure the temperature inside a sample bullet to make sure it it up to temperature, but I don't believe that is necessary, because the powder is only on the surface of the bullet and the surface gets to air temperature virtually immediately. Try a couple of batches and test the coating to make sure it is good (smash test)-- then just run the oven the same way every time and you will be fine. The really important thing is to find the sweet spot for your oven and be consistent.

[charlie b]

You don't need to monitor the temp all the time. Just any meter will work. Run the oven until the temp is stable at 400deg and mark where that is on your oven dial (or write down what temp that is on the digital scale). Then just leave the setting there for all of your powder coating.

Until you find some BB's you can use substitutes. Hobby Lobby and Michaels have jewelry making stuff. The large plastic beads (about 1/4"dia) work ok. Some folks don't use the BB's but I like to use them, especially if I am not coating a ton of bullets at a time.

I'd wait for Smoke's powder to show up. When it does you'll toss the HF powder anyway

[hc18flyer]

hc18flyer
I didn't get the "Bob's" remark?? Inform me.

Sorry, don't need the air soft bb's! Dang auto correct!

[hc18flyer]

I shake mine on a screen, to get off the excess powder. I stand mine up, some don't. It is time consuming, I still do it.

[littlejack]

hc18flyer:
That's funny.Yep, that auto correct is a irritating little bugger.
I'll work on the heat setting and make my mark. And yes, I think I'll pass on the HF powder. Might as well save my $ for the good stuff.
So what's the secret to making speckled boolits?

[littlejack]

I just had the wife order on her Amazon Prime account, a bottle of 2000 count Crossman black bb's. Things are lookin up.
Delivered tomorrow!

[hc18flyer]

No secret, They just turn out that way when you use 2 powders.

[Doubles Shooter]

Yep, easy to do. These were a 50/50 of Smoke's powder. Color plus white.

[Doubles Shooter]

Stone is my favorite. Just black and white.
p

[Cast10]

[gwpercle]

I shake mine on a screen, to get off the excess powder. I stand mine up, some don't. It is time consuming, I still do it.

LIKE !

ATTABOY ! ... If you going to do something , do it right !
I like to stand them up too ... they just come out better looking .

Here's to standing em' up
Gary

[littlejack]

It was my plan to stand the boolits up. I am purdy picky about my finished products. That came from 38 years In the steel fabrication trade. Quality work, kept my job. I don't cast in great amounts anyway. About the middle of this week, I cast just shy of 250 Lee 255 grain rnfp. Just short of an hour pouring time. I'm only good for about 2 hours on my feet.
I love nice looking reloads. They are a work of art. I don't make sub quality ammunition. Fellas, I really appreciate all the help and suggestions in getting started with this PC. Looking forward to some nice looking boolits, and reloads.
PS:
Those are some great looking boolits in the pics.