tumbling roundballs

[irishtoo]

i cast and shoot roundballs only. went out and bought a cheap rock tumbler. i put 100 balls in, nothing else, and two hours later, they came out looking store bought. no cast line no spru. they mic true also. anybody else do this?

 

[necchi]

Here's a couple of threads from just last month,
http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/266063/ http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/266437/

 

[tomme boy]

Throw in one stick of lead from a adjustable pencil and they will be coated with graphite like a factory ball. It will not let it get lead oxide on the outside also.

 

[Billnpatti]

Congrats on the discovery. It is something that I have been dong for several years. Just be sure not to tumble them for too long or they get a dull finish to them from all of the tiny pits caused by striking together in the tumbler. I usually tumble mine for only about 45 minutes to an hour and they come out looking like black ball bearings. It's the best way that I know of to remove all of the sprue. I've never tried adding a stick of graphite like Tomme Boy suggested. It might be a good idea if they are not too messy with graphite when they come out. I'll have to give it a try on my next batch. Just might be a great idea.

 

[ohio ramrod]

I made a set of "rolling plates" before I retired as a tool and die maker. And I roll my own but tumbling a large batch at a time would save on the old arms/wrists. :idunno: :idunno:

 

[Nappers]

That's a great idea.

I use glass on top of glass and roll them while hot (not straight from mold mind you).

 

[hanshi]

I often tumble mine and they do come out the better for it.