sprue cutter

[TNtrapper]

Hey yall! I was wondering what folks used to cut the sprue off back when the moulds were made without a cutter attached? From what Ive been reading a lot of the early molds were made without one.I sawa post on here a while back and someone had modified a dixie mold to look like a PC bag mold.Couldnt find to post...sure would like to take another look! Thanks again......TN eace:

 

[weirdjack]

Hey yall! I was wondering what folks used to cut the sprue off back when the moulds were made without a cutter attached? (SNIP) I saw a post on here a while back and someone had modified a dixie mold to look like a PC bag mold.

I'll have to snap some photos of the Dixie "hair iron" mold I modified about 25 years ago into a nice looking pouch mold.
For the sprues on the .660 balls from it, I use flush cut side cutters. These are flat on one side and cut the sprue flush against the ball....with no diagonal nub sticking out. Really easy to do and the results are great.
:results:
Jack

 

Okay, maybe someone might pin this one this time. I think this is the third time I've posted this.

I lopped off the handle loops, file down the stubs and "Voilia"! There you have it. And if you are really ambitous, you can recontour the mold head and maybe even add a sprue plate.

See Dixie Gun works for current price.

:results:

 

[dlemaster]

I have a very small pair of hand forged nippers that were found in a hunting pouch with a mould. I'm not sure how common that would be though. If you started carrying all kind of stuff in a hunting pouch you would need a very large one and it would be getting a little too heavy to suit my tastes.

Regards, Dave

 

[Stumpkiller]

Just set the ball & sprue on an up-ended log, set a knife in the gap & whack the spine of the blade with a chunk of firewood. Lead shears really easily.

You can get fancy by first making a depression for the ball by tapping a stone on the end of the log first, or with a ball peen hammer, tomahawk, etc.

Cast a bunch and lop off the sprues afterwards. If you're really dedicated you can use a file to flush the sprue scar down.

I'd go with the flush cutters unless you want to really rough it.

 

[weirdjack]

And if you are really ambitous, you can recontour the mold head and maybe even add a sprue plate.

I got really ambitious
I rounded the mold head quite a bit....leaving a flat on the bottom it would sit upright and on the top for ease of pouring. I also rounded the handles a lot...then browned the whole thing just for giggles.
Jack

 

[TNtrapper]

Hey...thats a good idea on the log! I cast my balls with a furnace and lyman mold at home...but casting them over coals out in the woods just gets me more in the mind set of the 18th century.Im gonna try that on the upturned peice of wood. Isure dont know where the heck Id find a handforged pair of nippers! Cant say ive ever saw a pair! :hmm: Thanks a lot yall!