Come On Christmas Posted February 21, 2016 Posted February 21, 2016 Duh! My Lee lead furnace drains from a spigot at the bottom. My new 45 caliber tumble lube bullet. Cast perfect. Big mammu Minie ball for .54 Hawken all wrinkled. Not pouring fast enough. Plenty hot methinks. Ah Haaaaa I will use a dipper from the top. Much faster pour. Perfect bullets every time!
Prairie Dawg, SASS #50329 Posted February 21, 2016 Posted February 21, 2016 Here I thought you was talkin' 'bout me!! Happy Sunday Shameless! Hope you & yours are doing well. --Dawg
Cliff Hanger #3720LR Posted February 21, 2016 Posted February 21, 2016 Winkles on the bullets tell me the mold is not hot enough before the pour. Pour several bullets and drop them quickly. 10 to 15 or so. You're not trying to get good bullets, you are trying to warm up the molds to get good bullets. Then slow down to let the bullets cool before dropping to see if the winkles are gone.
Warden Callaway Posted February 21, 2016 Posted February 21, 2016 This old dowg can't seem to get the bottom pour valve to stop leaking. I've had the pot more than 20 years and a drip now and then was no big deal but it's gotten worse. I cleaned the pot out and cleaned the spout and valve needle. It dripps just as bad as before. I keep a screwdriver handy to turn the needle and the drip will stop for a few pours then it'll start dripping again.
Reuben McCoy Rankin # 34239 Posted February 21, 2016 Posted February 21, 2016 This old dowg can't seem to get the bottom pour valve to stop leaking. I've had the pot more than 20 years and a drip now and then was no big deal but it's gotten worse. I cleaned the pot out and cleaned the spout and valve needle. It dripps just as bad as before. I keep a screwdriver handy to turn the needle and the drip will stop for a few pours then it'll start dripping again. Get a small pair of vice grips, clamp them on the stem 90degree off the screw driver slot. The added weight will stop most of the dripping and is easy to reach up and spin the grips stops the rest. Learnted that from the wire several years ago. using 2 bottom pour Lee pots that way
Come On Christmas Posted February 21, 2016 Author Posted February 21, 2016 I lay my aluminum Lee Molds stop the furnace when it's heating up. Then I alternate between two different molds leaving the lead in the mold whilst I pour lead in the other one. Usually only get one goofy bullet or two. On the leaky spigot I get a coated paper clip and bend it out to form an L. I push the paper clip up the spout and wiggle the handle on the mechanism till I get a good flow. Stops it from clogging for a while. Then do it again. Also atop the spigot shaft there is a place to wiggle the spout shaft with a slot screwdriver to attempt a better flow. On a new mold I take a piece of paper or cardboard and set it on fire and smoke my mold cavity up. Do this and it's just enough lube to let the bullets fall free when cast.
Come On Christmas Posted February 21, 2016 Author Posted February 21, 2016 On a 45/70 mold or a Minie ball mold the sheer volume of lead causes wrinkles if the mold does not fill FAST enough which is a temperature problem, but also volume being poured quickly problem. The solution use a full dipper from the top of the furnace. Also heat rises. Hottest lead is there.
Warden Callaway Posted February 21, 2016 Posted February 21, 2016 Get a small pair of vice grips, clamp them on the stem 90degree off the screw driver slot. The added weight will stop most of the dripping and is easy to reach up and spin the grips stops the rest. Learnted that from the wire several years ago. using 2 bottom pour Lee pots that way I thought about making a valve needle somewhat longer and adding some kind of knob to both add weight and convenient to turn. Maybe bolt some weight on the lifter handle bracket?
Two Spurs Posted February 21, 2016 Posted February 21, 2016 I've got wrinkles too....wait....... ........this is not the Health and Wellness section is it?
Reuben McCoy Rankin # 34239 Posted February 21, 2016 Posted February 21, 2016 I thought about making a valve needle somewhat longer and adding some kind of knob to both add weight and convenient to turn. Maybe bolt some weight on the lifter handle bracket? Try the vice grips.
Kulshan 20262 Posted February 21, 2016 Posted February 21, 2016 Fixed my Lee pot dribble, I gave it away.
Warden Callaway Posted February 21, 2016 Posted February 21, 2016 Try the vice grips. Then every time I use the pot I'd have to hunt up the vice grips. Every time I need the vice grips, I'd have to go rob them off the pot. A chunk of dead weight would be a free and somewhat permanent fix.
Reuben McCoy Rankin # 34239 Posted February 22, 2016 Posted February 22, 2016 I bought 2 harbor freight cheap one and they stay on the pots. Nor good for anything else.
Come On Christmas Posted February 22, 2016 Author Posted February 22, 2016 I like making the stalagmites under the spout. Or is it stalagtites? One goes up one forms going down from the ceiling.
Yul Lose Posted February 22, 2016 Posted February 22, 2016 Stalagtites hang and stalagmites grow upward.
Come On Christmas Posted February 22, 2016 Author Posted February 22, 2016 Stalactites (correct spelling) grow from the ceiling down. I looked it up. I made some stalagmites today.
SOUTH-PACIFIC,SASS #59402 Posted February 22, 2016 Posted February 22, 2016 i agree with kulshan had 2 lee pots both leaked gave them away and got a rcbs
Warden Callaway Posted February 22, 2016 Posted February 22, 2016 If I started fresh today loading for CAS, I wouldn't even mess with casting. But since I have all the equipment and lead and now the time, I keep doing it. Back whin I started shooting and reloading, that's the way you did it.
Come On Christmas Posted February 22, 2016 Author Posted February 22, 2016 It seems amazing to me that when you melt down wheel weights the iron parts float atop the molten lead. Less dense. I don't get out much. :~>=
Cheyenne Ranger, 48747L Posted February 22, 2016 Posted February 22, 2016 i agree with kulshan had 2 lee pots both leaked gave them away and got a rcbs gave one of mine to Pit Bull, the other is for pure Pb and I can live with a few drips during the few times I use it during the year cr
Warden Callaway Posted February 22, 2016 Posted February 22, 2016 I was going to find a slig of steel and drill a hole in it to hang over the knob stud. Then I figured I could drill a hole in a small lead ingot. When selecting an ingot, I spotted an 8 oz sinker. I haven't tried it yet but it just may work.
Forty Rod SASS 3935 Posted February 22, 2016 Posted February 22, 2016 I like making the stalagmites under the spout. Or is it stalagtites? One goes up one forms going down from the ceiling. Stalactites are TIGHT to the ceiling. Stalagmites might someday reach the ceiling. Learned that in the fifth grade back when they still taught things in public schools.
Warhorse Posted February 22, 2016 Posted February 22, 2016 The mites go up and the tights go down - rapidly!
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