Author Topic: New to casting (Read 2287 times))

Ironman482 · « **on:** April 01, 2019, 03:48:42 PM »

I've decided to finally get into casting, natchez shooters supply has the lee pro4-20 on sale for 69.49 in 110 volt and 71.99 for 220 volt. Is that a good product or would a different brand be better, I will be casting .510 slugs and .357 for the most part, any help will be greatly appreciated

triggertreat · « **Reply #1 on:** April 01, 2019, 04:03:41 PM »

It is good at that price. I bought the same model for $77 on eBay and like it.

It is very cheaply made, but gets the job done without much of any leakage at all when paying attention to the handle position and the melt process. I added a PID controller to mine. The supplied rheostat doesn't work well for precise heat control, which I prefer. It does work well enough if you monitor the temp and adjust the rheostat when needed. The heat will rise as the material level drops. The same as any other competitive pot.

Being cheaply made, you may have to adjust the handle travel so it is smooth to operate, very easy to do.

Ironman482 · « **Reply #2 on:** April 01, 2019, 04:35:13 PM »

Thanks Keith, I think I'll get the 220 model, I assume it will heat faster and last longer , now to get the rest of the tools,it never ends

triggertreat · « **Reply #3 on:** April 01, 2019, 06:59:12 PM »

Quote from: Ironman482 on April 01, 2019, 04:35:13 PM

Thanks Keith, I think I'll get the 220 model, I assume it will heat faster and last longer , now to get the rest of the tools,it never ends

It adds up quick when getting all the pieces and parts needed, like sizing equipment, moulds, handles, lead...I'm up three NOE moulds (the expensive ones) in less than a month already, but am having loads of fun casting and getting all sorted out. I love having control over the bullets/boolits/slugs making.

KnifeMaker · « **Reply #4 on:** April 01, 2019, 10:16:38 PM »

It, casting, has become almost as enjoyable as shooting. I hate sizing though. My wife use to do it for me. She enjoys it. Sadly her hands will no longer allow her to do so. GRRRRR!!!

Knife

Sbak · « **Reply #5 on:** April 02, 2019, 10:15:46 AM »

Just a thought, but it usually takes my Lee 110v pot the same amount of time to get the lead up to temp as my mold to a correct casting temperature. So with my setup, having a pot of lead heat quicker will not get me casting any sooner.

Ironman482 · « **Reply #6 on:** April 02, 2019, 08:28:22 PM »

Quote from: Sbak on April 02, 2019, 10:15:46 AM

Just a thought, but it usually takes my Lee 110v pot the same amount of time to get the lead up to temp as my mold to a correct casting temperature. So with my setup, having a pot of lead heat quicker will not get me casting any sooner.

good to know ,bow do you heat your molds if you don't mind me asking

Kinetic45^ · « **Reply #7 on:** April 03, 2019, 01:30:04 AM »

I might get some pushback but here's how I've done it for over 45 years and never a damaged mold. [Except Lee]

With the lead at casting temp (I like it hot, 740 to 800)

1st use a little spru plate lube to lightly oil with a barely visible film the tab on the spru plate (the part used to open it with)

2nd close the blocks so no lead or trash can get between them - put the front lower corners into the lead melt 1/4" and hold it there for a count of 10 seconds (one thousand, two thousand, .....) And take it out.

3rd open the spru and when it is off to the side, put the tab end you oiled 1/2" into the melt for 5 count (Note: this works for regular thickness plates but NOT FOR THE FLIMSY LEE SPRU PLATES, it will warp them). The oil keeps anything from sticking to the spru which can happen if it's just dry blued steel.

4th start casting and maybe the first three or four drops will be bad, after that it's all good for fast casting 😊

I add about 3 seconds to a brass mold (for 13) and do about 15/16 for a cast iron, then I let it sit for 30 seconds and equalize temp through the blocks first. I also either hold the handles to keep the blocks together or just use a big rubber band on the handles... usually one of those broccoli ones, so the blocks stay pressed together. Flip the band off when its time and start casting

Or you can just buy and use a hot plate

Ironman482 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 05, 2019, 12:14:27 AM »

Good info , thanks moo

KnifeMaker · « **Reply #9 on:** April 05, 2019, 12:15:19 PM »

I use both a hot plate, and the corner dip method. I also have another mold on the hot plate as I often cast wit more than one type of mold in a session.

While the pot and mold is heating, I size bullets man, I hate sizing! GRRRR!!!

Knife

hammer0419 · « **Reply #10 on:** April 11, 2019, 10:01:57 AM »

I just started casting myself. I purchased the same Lee 20lb pot. Weather it is cheap or not it works great so far for me. I could not imagine having to dip a ladle into a pot and then pour it. This is so fast and easy. I plug my pot in and rest my mould on top for a few minutes before it's ready to go. The first 3 pours end up in the remelt tray and then it's ready to go. I was getting some excellent results and some so-so results. I ordered a thermometer and now I know the exact temp it likes which is 780*. Like stated above as volume goes down, temp goes up. Same as if you add lead to pot it will decrease temperature temporarily. I check the temperature 5-6 times during casting.

cosmic · « **Reply #11 on:** April 11, 2019, 11:13:13 AM »

Lap the spout valve when new, it will help prevent leaks..

triggertreat · « **Reply #12 on:** April 11, 2019, 01:34:30 PM »

Quote from: KnifeMaker on April 05, 2019, 12:15:19 PM

I use both a hot plate, and the corner dip method. I also have another mold on the hot plate as I often cast wit more than one type of mold in a session.

While the pot and mold is heating, I size bullets man, I hate sizing! GRRRR!!!

Knife

Hot plate and dipping the tip and spru plate is what I am doing now to keep the mould temp up. I have the NOE digital temp gauge to monitor the mould temp.

I didn't mind sizing the .357 cal slugs, but these small .25 cals are a little different. Hopefully the bottom punch will arrive today or tomorrow so I can properly size some .25 cal to test.

Ironman482 · « **Reply #13 on:** April 17, 2019, 08:38:56 PM »

Well (hillbillys allways start a sentence with well ) my lee 4-20 pot came in today ,as I read the instructions and tried to open the valve it doesn't want to move. Does it have to have melted lead in it to open? I can get it to move just a small amount with quite a bit of pressure but that can't be right, I haven't contacted lee yet but will tomorrow seems to be jammed or the retaining screws are misaligned any suggestions

triggertreat · « **Reply #14 on:** April 17, 2019, 10:38:18 PM »

Quote from: Ironman482 on April 17, 2019, 08:38:56 PM

Well (hillbillys allways start a sentence with well ) my lee 4-20 pot came in today ,as I read the instructions and tried to open the valve it doesn't want to move. Does it have to have melted lead in it to open? I can get it to move just a small amount with quite a bit of pressure but that can't be right, I haven't contacted lee yet but will tomorrow seems to be jammed or the retaining screws are misaligned any suggestions

It is that way for shipping. Turn the adjustment screw ccw to set your flow rate. The lead will flow when you get it above 626 F.

Ironman482 · « **Reply #15 on:** April 17, 2019, 11:58:43 PM »

Thanks Keith, you would think lee could put that info in the instructions that come with the pot

Ironman482 · « **Reply #16 on:** April 25, 2019, 02:57:20 PM »

I have a question for you experts out there, this is my first attempt at casting slugs , lve got all the tools finally and before I melt any lead, I thought I would size some 38 cal bullets that were give to me awhile back, I bought the lee sizing tool at .357 because thats the best size for my bulldog , the slugs measured .358- 359 before sizing and .356 after is that normal for lee dies , should I order .358 to get .357 slugs Thanks in advance, this is all new to me

triggertreat · « **Reply #17 on:** April 25, 2019, 04:05:39 PM »

Quote from: Ironman482 on April 25, 2019, 02:57:20 PM

I have a question for you experts out there, this is my first attempt at casting slugs , lve got all the tools finally and before I melt any lead, I thought I would size some 38 cal bullets that were give to me awhile back, I bought the lee sizing tool at .357 because thats the best size for my bulldog , the slugs measured .358- 359 before sizing and .356 after is that normal for lee dies , should I order .358 to get .357 slugs Thanks in advance, this is all new to me

I went with the NOE sizing equipment due to the easy swap outs and lower cost per diameter. I don't know Lee sizing equipment, but can say with NOE, you get exactly the size the bushings are labeled. I have checked many slugs and they are right on.

With that said, maybe the Lee equipment is not up to the NOE standards?

Ironman482 · « **Reply #18 on:** April 25, 2019, 08:13:56 PM »

Thanks keith, I should have gone wirh noe ,was trying to keep the cost down, should have bought once and cry once,oh well, guess I'll call lee to.morow and see what they have to say

Kinetic45^ · « **Reply #19 on:** April 25, 2019, 08:54:45 PM »

Not uncommon for Lee sizer dies to be off, at least your's is undersize so you could polish it larger.
Before I quit buying them I got several off size ones.

The NOE system is the one I'd recommend too.

Some Lee product lines are very good for the money, some have quality control issues.

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New to casting

Author Topic: New to casting (Read 2287 times))