need advice about casting
05-06-2012, 08:21 AM
#11
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,184
I am not seeing the frost on them my self. Frosting normally happens to alloyed lead. I have never seen soft lead ( 5 BHN to 8 BHN) frost. In the middle picture the two balls on the left look like they have a tint of blue. That to me looks like soft lead and no frosting at all. They are wrinkled bad but I don't see frost.
To the OP. I am with the rest. You need to just clean the mould good. Get the lead, and mould hot. If it is a bottom pour pot make sure your getting good fast flow from the spout. Slow flow from the pot or ladle with allow the lead to cool as it is going into the mould. That will also cause wrinkles.
Speed up your pouring, and grade them after you have some done. After you get better you will be able to grade as you go but it will take time. For a while just pour some balls and get used to the whole thing. Ron
To the OP. I am with the rest. You need to just clean the mould good. Get the lead, and mould hot. If it is a bottom pour pot make sure your getting good fast flow from the spout. Slow flow from the pot or ladle with allow the lead to cool as it is going into the mould. That will also cause wrinkles.
Speed up your pouring, and grade them after you have some done. After you get better you will be able to grade as you go but it will take time. For a while just pour some balls and get used to the whole thing. Ron
05-06-2012, 08:30 AM
#12
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location:
Posts: 45
Before I start casting, I clean the mold with alcohol. Then when it's dry I apply my mold lube. It looks like either your lead is not hot enough, or your mold is too cool. Turn the heat up a little more. Like Lee said, hold the corner of the mold in the lead. Count to thirty. Lift the mold. The lead should fall off back in the pot. And when you get casting stick with it. Do not stop to admire your... work. It takes time but when you find the groove, cast like the devil.
05-06-2012, 08:34 AM
#13
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location:
Posts: 45
I am not seeing the frost on them my self. Frosting normally happens to alloyed lead. I have never seen soft lead ( 5 BHN to 8 BHN) frost. In the middle picture the two balls on the left look like they have a tint of blue. That to me looks like soft lead and no frosting at all. They are wrinkled bad but I don't see frost.
To the OP. I am with the rest. You need to just clean the mould good. Get the lead, and mould hot. If it is a bottom pour pot make sure your getting good fast flow from the spout. Slow flow from the pot or ladle with allow the lead to cool as it is going into the mould. That will also cause wrinkles.
Speed up your pouring, and grade them after you have some done. After you get better you will be able to grade as you go but it will take time. For a while just pour some balls and get used to the whole thing. Ron
To the OP. I am with the rest. You need to just clean the mould good. Get the lead, and mould hot. If it is a bottom pour pot make sure your getting good fast flow from the spout. Slow flow from the pot or ladle with allow the lead to cool as it is going into the mould. That will also cause wrinkles.
Speed up your pouring, and grade them after you have some done. After you get better you will be able to grade as you go but it will take time. For a while just pour some balls and get used to the whole thing. Ron
05-06-2012, 10:19 AM
#14
Dominant Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 21,193
cayugad, Do you ever burn a match to get carbon inside the cavity itself? Is that even necessary? How often do I need to lube the mold (the V's and grooves, the bolt and nut and the alignment pins) every time before I start casting?
Just smoke the mold real hard before you start molding. And lets say after a hundred ball cast, you decided to have a break and rest... smoke it again before you start. The mold will start to come clean eventually.
One other hint.. some do not do this. When I am finished with casting for the day, I leave the last ball in the mold and let the mold cool this way. I use LEE molds which are aluminum and was taught they are subject to warping if they cool too fast. The ball left in the mold allows the mold to cool from the outside in. My molds are over 30 years old (some of them) and I still cast a great roundball out of them.
05-06-2012, 02:24 PM
#16
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,834
Before I start casting, I clean the mold with alcohol. Then when it's dry I apply my mold lube. It looks like either your lead is not hot enough, or your mold is too cool. Turn the heat up a little more. Like Lee said, hold the corner of the mold in the lead. Count to thirty. Lift the mold. The lead should fall off back in the pot. And when you get casting stick with it. Do not stop to admire your... work. It takes time but when you find the groove, cast like the devil.
Cayugad is right on cleaning between casting sessions with alcohol and then spraying with drop out spray. Makes a huge difference!!!!!
05-06-2012, 03:45 PM
#17
Dominant Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 21,193
Those look real good. If you have a scale... weigh some and see how close you are. It will surprise you how good you did. And I have to ask.. did you pick any of them up with your fingers before they were cool? I always tell myself I am not going to do it.. and always come off the day with burnt fingers.
05-06-2012, 05:04 PM
#18
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location:
Posts: 45
Of course I did, ouch!!!
05-06-2012, 06:59 PM
#20
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: River Ridge, LA (Suburb of New Orleans)
Posts: 10,918
According to OSHA mandatory provision 17.3, the following sign is required in all casting areas.
WARNING: Allow your balls to cool before handling by yourself or others.