Did I make a mistake? or Is there a misconception about smoking molds?

[CVA Enthusiast]

In short I went casting 8-14-23 I started with my .451 round ball I forgot to smoke the mold realizing it when I was about 1/2 through I figured no issues no point of stopping, I then grabbed the LEE R.E.A.L 320 grain .50 which was brand new only had been scrubbed, I figured keep trend going a few frosted but no negative seized mold no bleeps, blunders did round 130ish of those, non smoked mold. Did the same for .495`s as well. Non Smoked mold. So has anyone else either positive or negative outcome of smoking or not smoking experiences? I am asking as a relatively new caster.

 

[TechMoron]

I use mainly Lee aluminum moulds. I've never smoked one & have never had any problems with them.

 

[tenngun]

I’ve not seen a difference

 

[CVA Enthusiast]

I use mainly Lee aluminum moulds. I've never smoked one & have never had any problems with them.

Yes, I see...Thanks

 

[CVA Enthusiast]

I’ve not seen a difference

As I am learning...Thanks

 

[HSmithTX]

I've never tried casting without smoking the blocks, and I have never had an issue. Aluminum, iron and steel blocks. If they look like they are getting 'clean' I smoke them again. I have had some problems with lead sticking to the top of the blocks when they look like they are getting 'clean' and I will say that I am casting hot and fast when it happens, smoke fixes that right now once the lead is off them and that reinforced my belief that smoking the blocks is better than not. All that said, if it works for you keep on doing what your doing. If you have a problem clean them up and smoke them and keep going.

 

[64Springer]

I've never not smoked a mold.

I use pure bee's wax candles.

 

[TechMoron]

Haven't cast anything in a while but, when I do, I run my Lee pot wide open & pour as fast as I can open & close the mould. And when I used iron blocks, they got lightly oiled between sessions and I never cleaned it off before hand so, the cooking off of that light coat of oil may have served the same purpose as smoking the mould.

 

[DOUBLEDEUCE 1]

i never bothered to smoke molds. I use Lee molds and never had a problem. Forty plus years and only a few rejects.

 

[user 34300]

It depends on the day, lead temperature, exact alloy, casting cadence, and the alignment of the stars. I do find that I usually smoke aluminum blocks. Smoke makes an insulation layer. The lead cools more slowly. That can be helpful.

I've been casting for 50 years. I get about 20% rejects. Unless a ball is visually flawless I melt it. I then go on to check the weights if I am developing loads.

Sometimes a particular mold is a problem child. I have scrubbed them with a toothbrush and kitchen cleanser. That can help balky molds. The brand new mirror finish on Lee molds can be a hinderance.

 

[ETipp]

In short I went casting 8-14-23 I started with my .451 round ball I forgot to smoke the mold realizing it when I was about 1/2 through I figured no issues no point of stopping, I then grabbed the LEE R.E.A.L 320 grain .50 which was brand new only had been scrubbed, I figured keep trend going a few frosted but no negative seized mold no bleeps, blunders did round 130ish of those, non smoked mold. Did the same for .495`s as well. Non Smoked mold. So has anyone else either positive or negative outcome of smoking or not smoking experiences? I am asking as a relatively new caster.

Per the instructions from Lee that came with my new mold. Same as the last one.

Lee recommends smoking new mold cavities to help the projectiles fall easily from the molds and for easy fill out. Lee also states that it will only need to be done a few times until the mold is broken in/seasoned.

I haven't tried any of my new molds without smoking the cavities for the first batch or two.

It's no big deal either way.

 

[rmark]

I’ve always smoked my Lee molds before their first use.

 

[2 shots]

i dont smoke em cause no matter how hard i try ...i cant keep em lit sorry guys i just had to

 

[64Springer]

Ba Dum Tis

 

[TexiKan]

I guess I missed this smoking mold thing a while back. I have a Lyman mold I have been using since the 1980's and never used smoke or thought I needed to.

 

[Tenring]

I’ve never felt the need to smoke or otherwise, I cast and dump back until the mold is hot and there’s no signs of defects.

 

[Newtire]

I’ve always smoked my Lee molds before their first use.

Have never seen any bad results after smoking but have had plenty of bad results by not smoking. After a few casting sessions, my molds all start casting and dropping bullets without sticking. I have also found tiny burrs along the edge of the cavities can be spotted with strong magnifying glasses (from the $1.25 Store) and carefully shaved off with a cheap scalpel. These burrs can contribute to sticking problems.

 

[Johnny Tremain]

I have every type of mould around. Ive never smoked any of them. Brand new Lee's or 1930s Ideals.
Even the custom postel ones get nothing.
I do soak them down with Kroil when they are cooled and ready to be put away.

 

[ronaldrothb49]

The way I look at it is the guys who made the molds might just know a little more about them than I do so if the instructions say smoke the mold that's what I do.

 

[Maven]

It also depends on the quality of the aluminum the mould is made of. I.e., Lee moulds always get smoked, but LBT, NOE, Arsenal not so much. Moreover, what you use to smoke the mould is important too. To wit, wooden matches or butane lighters work best, candles deposit greasy carbon, which you don't want.