First day of casting for 2016

[Cowboy]

Started off my 2016 casting season today. I used my Lyman steel molds for the first time. Up until this point I have always used Lee aluminum molds. The first observation that I had using the steel molds, was that it took longer to get them up to temp. After that though, they were putting out some really nice looking balls!

I casted .440, .490, and .530 balls. I was really getting into the groove of things, when suddenly rain clouds started forming over head and the wind started picking up. I was then in a mad scramble to get everything inside before all hell broke loose. I had just got the melter full of hot lead indoors when it hit. Raining cats and dogs outside.

The day wasn't a total loss. I was able to get in about 3 1/2 hours before the rain hit. I kept 387 balls that look like keepers. Dunno yet, I haven't had a chance to weigh any of them.

Had a great time while it lasted! :grin:

There is always tomorrow!

Respectfully, Cowboy :thumbsup:

 

[TNGhost]

Sounds like you at least got a chance to break in your new molds. :thumbsup:

Glad you made it out of the weather in time. Rain drops and molten lead can make for quite a circus. :haha:

 

[jfaldo]

You really need to overcome this unfounded fear of casting inside. You need the nice outside days to shoot not cast. I spent the weekend in my garage casting big heavy slugs for my Sharps. There is nothing harmful about casting inside. The only time casting is harmful is when you put your fingers in your mouth :shake: Contrary to what some would have you believe there are no harmful gases coming off lead at casting temps. Not a feeling, not speculation, but simple chemistry. Lead does not boil and therefore become a vapor till it reaches over 3000 degrees (3182 deg F to be exact). Pretty sure your lead pot is not getting there.

Also water on top of molten lead will not make it explode. It's when water gets trapped under the molten lead that you have an eruption. On top it only turns to steam and drifts harmlessly away.

Lot of unfounded fears associated with casting have been propagated for years on end with absolutely no merit to some of them.

 

[dwr]

Cowboy,

I have yet to buy a scale for weighing my castings.

I would like to know how close they are together in weight.

Can you recommend a digital scale for an occasional user?

Worlds largest gun show this weekend in Tulsa and I may keep my eye out for one...while I'm not looking for front stuffers.

 

[Cowboy]

You really need to overcome this unfounded fear of casting inside. You need the nice outside days to shoot not cast. I spent the weekend in my garage casting big heavy slugs for my Sharps. There is nothing harmful about casting inside.

First off, some of us do not own a garage. The only fear I have about casting inside is called MY WIFE! :shocked2: Yes, that could be very harmful! I also think my fear of casting in the house is well warranted. :nono:

Respectfully, Cowboy :hatsoff:

 

[jfaldo]

I guess I assumed everyone in the world that owns a house has a garage. I guess I stand corrected. Hope you have lot of clear days ahead to cast.

Still don't change the fact there's a lot of bad information about casting going around and around and around again.

 

[Cowboy]

I use two different types of digital scales. The first one is a CEN-TEC 1000 Gram digital scale. It has an accuracy +/-0.1 gn. It has 6 different units of weight measurements to include grains.

The second scale is a JSR-150. It too is accurate to within +/-0.1 gn. It is my choice between the two.

I only use a second scale for weight verification if a ball fails my set weight requirements.

I also calibrate both scales with calibration weights prior to use. If both come up with the same weight, the ball gets tossed.

Both scales state that they have been factory calibrated and that it is not necessary to calibrate them prior to use. I do it just for peace of mind. Both scale instruction manuals tell you how to calibrate them and what weight to use.

I find the JSR-150 to be my main scale. It is very sensitive. Comes with a shock absorbent pad it sits on when weighing items. You can go to ( JSCALE.com ) if you want to check it out. Runs on 2xAAA batteries. Lasts a long time. You might even find it at Amazon.

Respectfully, Cowboy :thumbsup:

 

[Rifleman1776]

I was able to get in about 3 1/2 hours before the rain hit.

You are a very industrious caster. That would be about the limit of my time casting, rain or no rain.

 

[azmntman]

I cast once. In the garage, outside temps in the negative. Fumes through the house, wife chased me through the house :cursing: . Not allowed to ever cast in the garage again (and honestly have yet to cast again, was 15 or more years ago). UGLY smell, lil ones inside, likely burning "stuff" not lead but I wont try it again. :shake:

 

[Rifleman1776]

Also water on top of molten lead will not make it explode.

First, I'll admit there are a lot of old misconceptions about this game many of us accept as fact. Water drops violently exploding when they hit molten lead may be one of them. Dunno :idunno: never tested it and I don't intend to. Mebbe Pletch and his high speed camera can confirm or squash this old saw. (hint-hint :wink: )

 

[Howie1968]

Thats going to be one of my next projects, studying and learning about casting. I see the benefits of doing so. great job mr.Cowboy

 

[dwr]

Many thanks for the info, Cowboy..now I can go scale shopping.

I'm not smart enough to argue the indoors/outdoors thing about casting. I'm sure many opinions will get keyboarded.

I do cast in a small area of one of my barns. I have a small industrial type exhaust fan which vents outside about 6 ft above my pot. I don't worry too much about lead fumes, but I try not to inhale them...when I add beeswax for fluxing however, the fumes are thick and noxious...I throw it in and step outside for a smoke...pretty smart, eh?

 

[Grumpa]

The only fear I have about casting inside is called MY WIFE! :shocked2: Yes, that could be very harmful! I also think my fear of casting in the house is well warranted. :nono:

I have not taken up casting for the same reasons!

A good friend always cast in his cellar. Everything was coated in a fine, white dust. That dust is contaminated with lead. If you are not wearing a respirator, you are breathing it in as it moves through the air. As noted, it will transfer from your fingers to your food, or through your cigarette, into your body. www.kansasangler.com has a good, common sense guide to casting safety.

Small children should never be allowed in the casting area.

I knew another fellow who died of lead poisoning, after a lifetime of casting fishing weights and bullets. It can happen. He probably violated the safety rules.

Do yourself a favor, when you go for your annual (or 5 year) check-up, ask the doctor to check your lead levels, just for peace of mind. Your Wife will thank you.

In the meantime, keep on casting, safely.

Richard/Grumpa

 

[TNGhost]

You really need to overcome this unfounded fear of casting inside. You need the nice outside days to shoot not cast. I spent the weekend in my garage casting big heavy slugs for my Sharps. There is nothing harmful about casting inside. The only time casting is harmful is when you put your fingers in your mouth :shake: Contrary to what some would have you believe there are no harmful gases coming off lead at casting temps. Not a feeling, not speculation, but simple chemistry. Lead does not boil and therefore become a vapor till it reaches over 3000 degrees (3182 deg F to be exact). Pretty sure your lead pot is not getting there.

Also water on top of molten lead will not make it explode. It's when water gets trapped under the molten lead that you have an eruption. On top it only turns to steam and drifts harmlessly away.

Lot of unfounded fears associated with casting have been propagated for years on end with absolutely no merit to some of them.

Try getting just a drop or two of water in a mold and then filling it with molten lead. Maybe not too dangerous, but it will definitely get your attention. :haha:

 

[Cowboy]

www.kansasangler.com has a good, common sense guide to casting safety.

Small children should never be allowed in the casting area.

I knew another fellow who died of lead poisoning, after a lifetime of casting fishing weights and bullets. It can happen. He probably violated the safety rules.

Do yourself a favor, when you go for your annual (or 5 year) check-up, ask the doctor to check your lead levels, just for peace of mind. Your Wife will thank you.

In the meantime, keep on casting, safely.

Richard/Grumpa

I totally agree with you Grumpa. You give great advice as always. I have an upcoming appointment at the V.A. next month. I will chech in to seeing about getting my lead levels checked.

I am pretty safe though, I wear gloves and keep the rest of my body pretty much covered. I also cast outside and am mindful about the fumes. I usually run a fan that is set on low, blowing over my shoulder taking any fumes or smoke away from me.

Always better to be safe than sorry though!

Respectfully, Cowboy :thumbsup:

 

[M. De Land]

I'll try one last time and then leave you be.
No major mold producer makes steel mold blocks.
Only the sprue plate,attachment screws and stop pins are steel.
When you call them steel molds any one who knows anything about casting knows what your saying but assumes ignorance which is not the case on your part now.
The down side is that it misleads new folks into thinking the same incorrect information.

 

[TNGhost]

I'll try one last time and then leave you be.
No major mold producer makes steel mold blocks.
Only the sprue plate,attachment screws and stop pins are steel.
When you call them steel molds any one who knows anything about casting knows what your saying but assumes ignorance which is not the case on your part now.
The down side is that it misleads new folks into thinking the same incorrect information.

From Cabela's catalog: "Lyman® Bullet Molds are individually machined from high-grade steel and hand fit for precision alignment".

From Midway USAs catalog: "Lyman 2-Cavity Bullet Molds are made from solid leaded-steel and machined to an exact and smooth super fine finish"

From Mp-molds website: materials used for molds are Brass, Aluminium 2007 (2011 or 2024) and in some cases steel

(I added the bold-TNGhost)

So you may be fighting a losing battle M.D.. While technically speaking we may be correct in saying they're not "steel", it has possibly become a matter of semantics. :idunno:

On the bright side I found a possible new mold supplier I hadn't previously heard of Mp-molds. :thumbsup:

 

[nhmoose]

Your mold was cold you need to preheat the mould.

I cast lots of calibers modern and ML I use a hot plate to preheat the mold. Try cast boolits to learn how to cast

 

[Idaho Ron]

Y
Also water on top of molten lead will not make it explode. It's when water gets trapped under the molten lead that you have an eruption. On top it only turns to steam and drifts harmlessly away.

Lot of unfounded fears associated with casting have been propagated for years on end with absolutely no merit to some of them.

:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

I see that all the time. Guys saying don't cast when it is hot because your sweat will drip into the lead. :bull:
I am glad you posted that

 

[Idaho Ron]

Try getting just a drop or two of water in a mold and then filling it with molten lead. Maybe not too dangerous, but it will definitely get your attention. :haha:

That is a different event. :thumbsup: