Do I need more than 1 ingot mold?

[icor1031]

Would it benefit me, to use more than 1 ingot mold?
i.e., do I need to wait for one to cool off before I eject the molds, and I can use a second one while I wait? Or, for any other reason?


Thanks.

[labradigger1]

I have 1 4 gang 2 lb'er and 2 4 gang 1 lb'ers
Seems like i am always waiting for them to cool.
I am always wishing for about 4x more ingot molds.
It would depend on how much you smelt also.

[dragon813gt]

How many pounds are you smelting at once? I use a Dutch oven and w/ 2 pans that each make 8 3.5# ingots it's enough to keep me constantly moving. If I was using the one pound molds I would need five or six.

[rnelson11]

You'll need more.

[icor1031]

Ouch, thanks!

[kevmc]

How about a wet towel....., fill ingot mold, touch bottom to towel
May keep mold from over heating....

[sidecarmike]

Pick up some cast cornbread pans from the local thrift stores. The aluminum ones work best.
I picked these two up for $1 each at Goodwill Industries. Between the two of these, a Lyman four hole and a Lee 4 spot, I still sometimes have to take a break to let things harden.

[JimA]

You will definitely need more than 1.

[Boyscout]

I'm up to 3 Lees and one Lyman. I prefer the Lees because they cool faster. I'm not sure if the Lyman cast iron will crack if I cool it on a wet towel. I also have a shallow cup cake pan that does a great job too. I use a cast iron pot to smelt that holds about 30 lbs.

[Mal Paso]

I do 50-75 pounds at a time and make full use of 3 molds that make 5, 5 pound ingots. I welded these using 2" angle iron. It was easier than finding the mythical Walmart Stainless Steel Condiment Cups which don't seem to be native to California or Arizona.

[Hardcast416taylor]

I use 3 Lyman and 1 LEE ingot molds. I also use 2 cast iron 10 lb. RCBS and a 10 lb. Lyman pot that I fill half full for a heavier ingot.Robert

[imashooter2]

By the time I fill the last, the first is ready to dump and refill...

[country gent]

Ideally filling ingot molds you should have enough so that when you fill the last one the first is solid then +1 more to be sure. I made mine from angle iron 2 to a ingot mold 4-5 lbs each and have 8 of them. Not a big deal to make saw cut angle v point to opening at 10* ( this allows ends to release quickly and easily) I used 1/8"x2"x2" and cut to a length that fit my pots. A 1/8" X 2" flat plate long enough to cover te vees plus an inch or two on each end. Set angle face down on 1/4" flat stock and sides in tight to angle ends and weld together. Remember each ingots wieght and figure that times number of cavities. ( on mine 5 lbs per ingot so 2 is 10 lbs plus ingot molds wieght). You can get by with 1 or2 but will spend more time waiting on cooling than pouring.

[375RUGER]

I run from 140 to 350 lbs at a time. I have a 24 banger mini muffin, a 4 banger 1#er, and a home made 4 banger 6# angle iron job. I can run non-stop now, but I end up with more mini muffins than I care for. I need another angle iron mould.

[bobthenailer]

i have 5x4 one pounders =20 lbs and a 3 cavity 8 pounder=24 lbs

[alamogunr]

I have 5 six cavity cast iron muffin pans and 6 SAECO/RCBS ingot molds. The muffin pans turn out 1.5-1.75 muffins. Also a 10 lb Magma retangular mold. I seldom use this mold as the ingots are too big. I should have used it more often for ingots to make special alloys from WW, pure and various Sn/Sb rich alloys. I could make fairly large batches in my clean-up pot(after cleaning it, of course).

There are sources here for ingot molds, usually fabricated from angle iron or channel iron. Both would work well.

[Old School Big Bore]

I had four Lyman 4X1 but they have disappeared in a move. I now have two Lees; I like the handles but wish they were all 1# instead of two each half & whole pound. I keep production up by resting them in a shallow pan of water. You have to be on your game to do this safely, though.

[bangerjim]

Do not stop at just one of anything!

I have 7 commercial ingot molds (Lee,Lyman, RCBS) and love them. Easy stacking, no falling over on your toes. When I melt, I use all of them at the same time.

Leave the kitchenware to the cook!

banger

[Bigslug]

The smelt pot holds about 25#, and the three Lyman molds I have aren't really getting it done. Probably going to need two more to be at "adequate"

[FISH4BUGS]

I have about 24 individual 1lb or so home made (bought from guys here over the years) or gang (Lyman/RCBS) ingot moulds. My smelting pot holds easily over 100 lbs. When I smelt, I line up the ingot moulds, pour each one, then while they cool, add more WW's to the mix, let them melt, flux and skim. By that time they are cooled enough to dump out and start it all over again.
Like garlic, money and something we shouldn't refer to on a family site, you can never get enough....ingot moulds that is.