First Casting Session

[Sharp Shooter]

Well, Today was my first casiting session. I was casting balls for my GM 62cal smoothbore. For lead I was using old fishing sinkers.

I dont think I did too bad at all for my first time. Some of the balls were a little wrinkley but not bad. Others were almost perfect. I did not get any that I thought were totally perfect but for the most part they were not bad.

Anyone else get wrinkles? How do you solve that?

Also, when the lead was sitting in the pot it would always have a blue film on top. Is that bad?


Thanks

 

[DNICK]

the wrinkles are caused by the lead temp being to low kick up the temp and keep the mold hot the wrinkles will be gone if the temp is to high the balls will have a frosty look to them they will still work ok - just the frosty look telling you the temp is to high

 

[StevePrice2]

here's an answer from another rookie caster.

Wrinkled for me too. The trick is get the mold hot. One guy here said "cast fast and cast hot" I think.

do your searches there's a bunch about wrinkled roundballs - more than you want to know.

Hopefully the experts will give up some secrets. but it's mostly just "Do it!"

be careful and safe around hot lead and fumes.

Steve

 

[GreyWhiskers]

The other members hit it on the head. Make sure your temperature is up there and keep the mold hot. Another trick to try is to "smoke" the mold cavities with a stick match. This helps with the wrinkles especially with aluminum molds. Keep casting. It gets easier. GW

 

[Headhunter]

Thats the key right there. Keep Casting. Casting is like shooting, you have to keep at it, try different things until you start hitting.

I do all of my casting at 850 degrees. I preheat my mould on a hotplate, turn them both on at the same time. When the lead thermostat reads 825 - 850 degrees, I start casting, if you preheat and run over 800 degrees, your balls will all turn out great.

Another trick is to get into a groove and stay there. I turn out a couple balls per minuite and maintain that until I can't stand it any more. By doing this, my balls are very uniform in weight.

HH

 

[smallmouth]

Don't forget, if you are not satisfied, you can just remelt them and try again-- nothing lost but a little time and a little elecricity. Far fewer dangers for the product -- but some real ones for you -- be careful USE SAFETY EQUIPTMENT!!!!!!!!!

Sirjohn

 

[Jim/OH]

As others have said, wrinkles are a sign of either lead being too cold, or the mold being too cold. In this case from what you said about the blue film, I suspect your mold was too cold, since blueish cast to the lead indicates the pot is too hot. You must get the mold warm, and keep going to maintain the temperature, and all will be well. :thumbsup:
Hope this helps, see ya, Jim/OH :hatsoff:

 

[R.M.]

That blue, along with some other nice colors show up in pure lead. Why, I have no idea, but that's what I've observed.

 

[silverfox]

Keep it hot and fast. By fast I mean with a .62 ball you need to move a lot of lead fast. It's almost like making minnies. My bottom pour melter was a pain to get them right. So I went to a good dipper and now get good minnies and large RB with no wrinkles. Work at it and keep casting I get 2 to 3 per minute.
Fox :thumbsup:

 

[lonehunter]

I have found that i set my first half doz. to the side,(they are to heat up the mould) first few will be wrinkled but after the mould heats up just stay steady and the next thing you know you have 100 rounds.then i place them on a scale, any light ones i throw back in the pot.
happy casting :v