| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
knotbrush
Joined: 29 Jan 2010
Posts: 46
|
 Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 3:21 am Post subject: Casting grief SOLVED! |
 |
|
I had my epiphany quite by accident. I recently purchased a 65# batch of lead ingots so unlike my past casting sessions I filled the 20# pot to the top. Usually I only had less than 10# on hand so I kept the pot 1/4 to 1/3 full.
With a full pot, the pressure of the lead stream is high, even with the valve cranked down. The higher pressure seems to overwhelm the filling process and puddles the sprue plate too soon. With the pot 1/4 full, the flow is gentile no matter what the valve is set at and the cavities fill more slowly and evenly, and the sprue puddle is much better.
With the gentile flow the molds fill out nicely and the spatter is minimal. I tried all my molulds with the 1/4 full pot and I'm very happy. Problem solved! Next! |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
daboone
Joined: 22 Jan 2009
Posts: 471
|
| Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 8:22 am Post subject: |
|
|
That is an interesting solution. I have always refilled my lee pro-20 when it's get about 1/2 way down. I wonder if the spout hole is larger on your pot?
I know you resolved the problem but I gotta ask.....At what angle do you hold the mold, flat to the spout or down, tilted left or right. I wonder if the pour is running down the sprue plate very fast it could 'splash' over a cavity causing inadequate fill. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Jumping Frog
Joined: 12 Feb 2008
Posts: 483
Location: Central Ohio
|
| Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 9:05 am Post subject: Re: Casting grief SOLVED! |
|
|
| knotbrush wrote: | I filled the 20# pot to the top. . . .
With a full pot, the pressure of the lead stream is high, even with the valve cranked down. |
I agree the pressure is higher, but I've still had no problems with filling the mold correctly.
I ALWAYS start with a full pot. When I get down to about 20% left, I refill the pot and take a 20 minute break to let it remelt. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
knotbrush
Joined: 29 Jan 2010
Posts: 46
|
| Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 10:49 am Post subject: |
|
|
| daboone wrote: | That is an interesting solution. I have always refilled my lee pro-20 when it's get about 1/2 way down. I wonder if the spout hole is larger on your pot?
I know you resolved the problem but I gotta ask.....At what angle do you hold the mold, flat to the spout or down, tilted left or right. I wonder if the pour is running down the sprue plate very fast it could 'splash' over a cavity causing inadequate fill. |
I tilt the farthest sprue hole down a bit so as to try not to have run-off bridge the next hole, but I was still getting some of that. I keep the mould flat left to right and ride the guide. I never thought to tilt left or right. I just cast 350 .38 DEWCs and had less than 5% bad ones. I didn't feel like going out to the cold, cold garage to fetch a bunch if ingots. Otherwise, I never would have found out.
My spout runs like a fire hose! The adjustment is too coarse and goes from full-blast to nothing in 1/4 turn. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
daboone
Joined: 22 Jan 2009
Posts: 471
|
| Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 11:43 am Post subject: |
|
|
5% ain't bad. I never checked the number of culls I run but I always have a few and 5% feels right on good day. Then I have those days where the moon's not in the right position or there is a black cat somewhere around!
The next time you feel in the mood try fluxing a little extra, really scrape down the sides and bottom of the pot and flux a little more, repeat. Empty the pot and boil water in it. After that pull out the valve rod and clean it up and check the pot valve(spout).
I do this when excessive dripping starts. Maybe it might help you get better control of the flow? Worth a try. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
knotbrush
Joined: 29 Jan 2010
Posts: 46
|
| Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 1:32 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| daboone wrote: | 5% ain't bad. I never checked the number of culls I run but I always have a few and 5% feels right on good day. Then I have those days where the moon's not in the right position or there is a black cat somewhere around!
The next time you feel in the mood try fluxing a little extra, really scrape down the sides and bottom of the pot and flux a little more, repeat. Empty the pot and boil water in it. After that pull out the valve rod and clean it up and check the pot valve(spout).
I do this when excessive dripping starts. Maybe it might help you get better control of the flow? Worth a try. |
The planet Venus governs casting along with all mechanical things!
I will do your cleaning regime, that's a great idea! All in all I can't complain, after working the best load for my cast wadcutters I put 100 of them into a 1" hole at the range. I turned around and saw five guys watching me. That felt good! One guy asked if he could have my target since it was hardly used. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Jumping Frog
Joined: 12 Feb 2008
Posts: 483
Location: Central Ohio
|
| Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 2:54 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| knotbrush wrote: | | I put 100 of them into a 1" hole at the range. |
No fair shooting from 6 feet away!  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
daboone
Joined: 22 Jan 2009
Posts: 471
|
| Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 6:34 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Jumping Frog wrote: | | No fair shooting from 6 feet away! |
I'll try to top that Wed. when the new lady friend and I go out, from 7 feet1  Now I'm talking about shooting  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
knotbrush
Joined: 29 Jan 2010
Posts: 46
|
| Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 12:06 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Jumping Frog wrote: | | knotbrush wrote: | | I put 100 of them into a 1" hole at the range. |
No fair shooting from 6 feet away! |
To "fess-up" I was 21 feet and shooting from a rest. I'm amazed I had no flyers...unless they were off the paper! Originally, I intended to test 4 different loads that bracketed the best from previous coarser tests but grabbed the wrong boxes. This gun always shoots way better than I ever will. I have a tendency to over analyze things, now where's that 1/1000 Gr. scale?
Having confidence in this load, I'll move the target back until my groups widen a lot and maybe tune a bit finer. But, I need new glasses and somebody to teach me how to shoot...in general, I suck!
Getting all the mechanics and chemistry right is the fun, the physical and mental elements are much more daunting. It's just like golf...except for the clothes and the beer. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
helg
Joined: 23 Mar 2009
Posts: 231
|
| Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 4:37 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I have never seen the problem myself, while I do cast a potfull completely.
I bet it may be something with lead temperature. According to my load thermometer it does differ when the pot is full and when it is almost empty. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Jumping Frog
Joined: 12 Feb 2008
Posts: 483
Location: Central Ohio
|
| Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2010 12:25 am Post subject: |
|
|
| helg wrote: | | According to my load thermometer it does differ when the pot is full and when it is almost empty. |
I agree that my pot also varies temperature depending on the level. I am having to dial back the thermostat as the pot empties.
That is the main reason that I think my next "project" will be to build one of those PID temperature controllers for my pot. There are plans and discussions on how to accomplish this on the castboolits forum, and it seems doable. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
daboone
Joined: 22 Jan 2009
Posts: 471
|
| Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2010 6:41 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Jumping Frog wrote: | | [quote="helg" I think my next "project" will be to build one of those PID temperature controllers for my pot. There are plans and discussions on how to accomplish this on the castboolits forum, and it seems doable. |
I bought a "controler" but not able to understand the schematics(sp?) I think these instructions were written on Uranus by the geeks of that planet!
I can't figure out if it requires an SSR (what ever that is) or not. I got way in over my head, so it just sits there.  Any way like you sometimes I look at the thermometer but mostly I just decrease the temp when the boolits start getting too frosted or it's taking to long to cool down between drops.
I didn't get the controller listed in the CB threads. Someday I hope to meet someone who can actually read those drawings and instructions.
Keep us posted how that project goes. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Jumping Frog
Joined: 12 Feb 2008
Posts: 483
Location: Central Ohio
|
| Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2010 2:07 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| daboone wrote: | | Keep us posted how that project goes. |
Will do. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
