Casting balls ??

[jimeckersley]

When using a bottom pour pot, assuming correct temp and all other factors!, keep a puddle of molten lead at the sprue hole for a longer period of time. Do this by quickly dropping small additional amounts of lead 3 or 4 times. It's ok if it runs over the edge of the sprue plate. With practice, you'll minimize the amount that runs over the edge.

Keeping a hot puddle of lead over the sprue hole for a few seconds longer allows the voids and dimples in the ball to fill in before the lead solidifies.

This procedure is especially easy when using a pot and ladle. Just keep adding more hot lead to the top of the sprue hole.


As for whacking the mould: If you wear a pair of leather welding gloves, it usually isn't necessary to strike the sprue plate. Just pull on the sprue plate as soon as the lead has solidified on the top. Some folks add an extension on the sprue plate for more leverage.

 

[Zonie]

OH! In lieu of a "fume extraction system" you can always use a SCUBA breathing apparatus.
Probably pick up a used one for a few hundred bucks.

Like we were saying, you sure can save money if you cast your own balls! :rotf: :rotf: :rotf: :grin:

 

[jimeckersley]

Ya, sure. Or, to save a couple hundred bucks, just pipe in fresh air to your mask. The scuba tanks get a bit burdensome above water. :grin:

 

[Slamfire]

Even if you fill 'em with with a deep divin' helium mixture? :shake: