Finally joined the casting world today

[ShotgunDave]

Just like it says. I finally got everything together to start casting, and jumped in with both feet today.

I needed a cast iron pot to melt the lead in, and I also needed a ladle. I've been looking around at them and found these on Amazon of all places. The pot was really cheap so I grabbed it.




My old Coleman stove was perfectly up for the task. I've had this stove since I was 14 years old. (I'm 56 now) and it still works perfectly.




This is pretty much all the tools I used.




My very first lead ingot beginning to melt. (I know, corny)




Here's the first two bullets out of the mold. The lead wasn't hot enough, and neither was the mold. Back into the pot they go.




I just kept at it, until I had 150 perfectly formed, 200gr, .45 Colt bullets. Not bad for a complete beginner!





Since I had hot lead in the pot, I decided to cast a few with the mold I got from Em, for my Sharps. It's an old Dixie mold and it worked great.




I can see myself going waaaaaayy down the rabbit hole with this casting stuff! I'm online tonight, looking for a mold for my 44-40. I'm sure this never ends.......

[mazo kid]

My only comment would be to get rid of that hammer! Use a wooden mallet instead, or just the hammer handle. Congratulations on a successful molding session! And a final word of warning....this is addictive!

[ShotgunDave]

Thanks for the advice Em! I can see this becoming VERY addictive!

[Captainkirk]

Don't say I didn't warn ya, Dave!

[ShotgunDave]

Don't say I didn't warn ya, Dave!

I know, I know. But I'm hard headed!

Thanks for all your help today too.

[Captainkirk]

Don't say I didn't warn ya, Dave!

I know, I know. But I'm hard headed!

Thanks for all your help today too.

Must've done something right...those boolits came out hella good!

[Hawg]

Looking good. I'll second getting rid of the hammer. Use a piece of wood or a plastic screwdriver handle.

[Dave Shooter]

I strike the sprue plate againt the edge of a wooden bench made from old barn wood.  Works fine.

You're right, it's addictive.

[AlaskanGuy]

dont do it dave.... there is still time to just backkkkkkk away from that lead pot...

if you find yourself unable to comply, get yourself a lee 4-20 and get with it.. also find a plastic hammer or wood fish klonker... dont use a hammer....  also one last safety tip... get yourself a cookie sheet sorta pan with higher sided to place under your casting gear once you get a lee.... i call it my catastrophic failure containment field..

you are gunna need more space sir for all your goodies

[mazo kid]

Some guys just use a gloved hand to open the sprue plate on 1-2 cavity molds. It takes a bit of experience to time it right. Too soon and you get lead smears, too late and it is hard to open. I just use a rawhide mallet or the wooden "tapper" I made.

[Captainkirk]

Me; I've got an 18" length of 2 X 2 deck spindle.

[ShotgunDave]

Thanks guys! It's waaaay too late to turn back now. I spent last night ordering more stuff. 44-40 mold, .454 round ball mold, Era's Gone Sharps mold, wooden mallet to cut the sprue.........I can see that this is endless.

I'm off to order more lead....................


Thanks for all the help and suggestions. You guys are my favorite enablers.

[Captainkirk]

Thanks guys! It's waaaay too late to turn back now. I spent last night ordering more stuff. 44-40 mold, .454 round ball mold, Era's Gone Sharps mold, wooden mallet to cut the sprue.........I can see that this is endless.

I'm off to order more lead....................


Thanks for all the help and suggestions. You guys are my favorite enablers.

Where are you getting your lead, Dave? Rotometals?

[ShotgunDave]

Thanks guys! It's waaaay too late to turn back now. I spent last night ordering more stuff. 44-40 mold, .454 round ball mold, Era's Gone Sharps mold, wooden mallet to cut the sprue.........I can see that this is endless.

I'm off to order more lead....................


Thanks for all the help and suggestions. You guys are my favorite enablers.

Where are you getting your lead, Dave? Rotometals?

I actually got it on eBay. About $2.00 a pound for the stuff I bought.

[mazo kid]

You know, after you have cast a bit, you will probably end up with 8-10 molds