Newby on the block... well, to casting anyways.

[avator]

Pressure pour has a learning curve also, I just can't get comfortable with it. I am having good success with just ladle pouring. I set the mold on the top edge of the pot and purposely pour each hole until the lead meets in the middle between the holes... just a little puddle. In just a second you can see the color change and a small dimple for each cavity. I cut the sprue my hand then turn the mold over in the catch box. If the pellets don't drop I give the head of the handle bolt a tap with a small lead hammer.
I run the mold oven at 350f to 375f and the PID at 700f.

And yes, I have accidentally let the mold dip in the pot.... twice.     I let it cool, removed the pins (once I exhumed the mold) and dug the lead out. Lesson learned.

[avator]

I've been running 3 80ish pellet sessions a day for the past few days adding the sprues back in the pot between each. Today I decided to wait and tumble the entire day's run together at the end of the 3rd session. I'm getting alot better at this just by taking the time to do each pour consistent and with purpose. Of my last 80 pellet pour I culled 5 pellets. I'm good with about 94% quality rate.    I rarely shoot 200 pellets a day so I'll eventually have a good inventory built up. These sessions take about 15 minutes each. Then sorting/culling takes another 15 or so.

[avator]

Ok, so we all like to tinker, right?
Those of us who do eventually end up with random spare parts.
I've recently added a few things to my spare parts bin from the PID for my casting pot that I just completed.
I've got a couple 3 prong female flush mount 110v power outlets. (they came in a 3 pack)
I've got 3 spare probes, one of which is the stubby that came in the PID kit.
I've got a 110v toggle switch that I picked up before finding a lighted rocker switch that I already had.

Ok, I had picked up a $15 hot plate and put together a cover and made it into a mold oven. The hot place has a rheostat control on it and on high the oven reaches 375f ish and kicks off. Then comes back on at about 325f ish.
Anyone following where I'm going with this yet?

So, I'm less than $10 away from building a PID for the mod oven. 
The plan is simple.. Order a 400c PID and SSR w/heat sink kit on the cheap. $10 or less without a probe.
I already have everything else. I just need to get inside the hotplate and delete the rheostat control. Run the power cord directly to the heating element and plug into the PID box.

Ain't retirement great?

[avator]

How about we call this "PID, rinse and repeat".

Although it may seem like it, this one is going to take longer. Why? Because I went against all my instincts and ordered it from Ali Express. And I only did that because, they didn't require my ID as they tried in the past, they let me pay through paypal and it was $10 and change to my door. On the downside, it's 15+ days delivery from China.
But that's OK.. I ain't going nowhere. 

[avator]

In the meantime... I think we're gonna need a box....

I had my designs on an old plastic military first aid box for the pot PID before I found the security box I ended up using. So I rounded that up and went to the bench for so hole cutting fun.
That's when I discovered it wasn't tall enough for the PID to fit in the front.

[avator]

So, I went on the hunt...
I looked in all the dark places in the Red Shed... nope, nothing here.
Then a walk down to the barn proved fruitless..
I even got busted having a peek in Betty Lou's She Shed... that didn't work out.
Last hope was the bar.. that's where I found the other box so maybe I'll get lucky.
There is a large 4 slider door Pepsi cooler behind the bar where they used to keep cold beer when it was a speak easy. We cleaned it out and stashed hoarding fodder in it. It's a dark and scary place but I was on a mission. 
... and there it was. The old cash box from back in the day.
As you can see, it had the change compartment tray that folded out like the old tackle boxes we had as kids. Back before God invented plastic. The Dremel made short work of the rivets.

[avator]

This one may even be cooler than the last one. Union, Made in the USA.
That keylock on the front is also a button that has to be pushed to open it.

So, I gathered up what pieces parts that I have on hand and tomorrow I'll begin making holes based on measurements from the other box.

[avator]

Tell me I don't know how to have a good time...   

[Back_Roads]

 
 Yup read right into you piding the mold oven.

[avator]

Got a message tonight that the PID has shipped.. hope it don't get held in customs too long.

[avator]

 Yup read right into you piding the mold oven.

Yeah, I made a couple typos back there but that is exactly what I'm doing.. a PID for the mold oven.
NOE recommends cycling new molds at 500f for bake in. This oven will reach that easily when complete where as now, it tops out at 375ish. I will also be able to control the temp of the mold better before starting the casting session. It will also keep me out of Betty Lou's kitchen and the dog house... 
Just another layer in total control over the casting process.

[avator]

I don't know if others are like me in that I typically take the last 30 minutes or so before I fall asleep at night to kinda review the day and sometimes make a wide plan or set goals for the next day. The next morning I wake up and refine those plans and goals before getting out of bed.
Last night and this morning was no different. My focus was on the mold oven PID and a thought occurred....
This cash box is not huge but it is roomy.. maybe half again the size of the lead pot box.
So why not put both controllers in the same box? There is plenty of room and I've already proven to myself that they don't generate alot of heat so I know that single fan will move plenty of air through the box.
They would each run on individual circuits, each having it's own 110v input and output, SSR, on/off switch and temp probe.

[Insanity]

Now you are thinking with your dipstick Jimmy.

[avator]

Yessir.. I've cut and fitted all but the power cord input hole on the lead pot side when Betty Lou called me in for lunch. Once I get the other side cut and fitted for the mold oven side I may go ahead and move the pot PID into the box. When the PID for the mold oven arrives all I will have to do is mount and wire it up.
I didn't sleep well last night... I might take a rare nap.

[avator]

More progress..
I cut the opening in the face for the second PID (the oven side). I also cut the square hole and installed the oven side power output 3 prong for the oven. Next I need to cut the round holes on both sides for the conduit connectors for the power input cords. Thank goodness for Dremel tools.
I think I decided to just go with another toggle on/off switch instead of the matching lighted rocker switches. I stopped at the Radio Shack in town and they didn't have the rocker but they do have the toggle for a couple bucks.
I don't really need a lighted switch. If the PIDs are on then the power is on.
Again, each unit will have it's own controller and power. I don't need to have the oven on to run the pot or the pot on to run the oven.
I still haven't decided on using the fan yet. If I do, it will mount inside the box on the back instead out outside on top like it is now.

[avator]

Oh yeah, I also had a look inside the hot plate. Easy peasy.. cut the 2 wires leading to the rheostat and wire nut them together. There is a light on the front of the hot plate that will indicate when the PID is supplying power to the element.
Mind you, this will be an oven with the capability of maintaining temperature up to 400c (752f ).  Not sure what temp is required for power coating but I do know that the PID has a built in timer that can be set.   
Frozen chicken pot pies anyone?

[avator]

Well waddaya know...
Betty Lou and I went for a walkabout with the dogs and I stopped by the bar/mancave to grab a screw assortment box I had in there. I opened it up and found another lighted rocker switch.
Decisions, decisions.

[Insanity]

It has been decreed by the airgun gods that a lighted rocker switch is to be used.

[brewbear]

It has been decreed by the airgun gods that a lighted rocker switch is to be used.

You forgot "... so shall it be written, so shall it be done "

[avator]

It has been decreed by the airgun gods that a lighted rocker switch is to be used.

You forgot "... so shall it be written, so shall it be done "

2 of them to be exact....