I need a mould medic - Page 2

MtGun44 · 11-14-2009, 04:24 PM

Looking at the new pix, the mold is a lot cleaner. I am still puzzled by the original brown
buildup. I never get that and I always use Bull Plate Lube. Do you have access to a
surface plate or a really good flat surface like the ground flat top of a mill or even good
quality cast iron table saw? You may find that you have inadvertantly bent the
sprue plate slightly when it was hot. Hot aluminum is fairly soft and the sprue plates on
Lee 6 holers and the MiHec molds are aluminum. If the sprue plate is bent slightly you
can either try to straighten it or probably better, lap it back to flatness. You need the
very flat surface (chunk of thick glass works, too) and some silicon carbide sandpaper
("Wet or Dry" - the black stuff) in about 240, 360 and 400 or similar grits. Lay the paper
on the flat surface, lube with a bit of kerosene or other very light oil and move the
sprue plate back and forth while pressed to the paper to grind off any high spots and
get it back flat. Start with around 360 unless there is a lot of metal to remove, then
maybe 240. Finish with 400 or finer if you want a super finish. I have helped my
Lyman molds on multiple occasions by lapping the sprue plate back flat. Maybe lapping
the top of the two mold blocks would help, too.

Try to see what might have been producing the brown film, this is not helpful or normal
and you should find out how to keep it from happening in the future. Sparing use of
Bull Plate on the whole bottom of the sprue plate and top of the mold away from the
mold cavities should prevent future galling if the two piece are flat. Avoid overtightening
the pivot screw, too. Once the sprues are cut the sprue plate should swing freely, and
be relocated flat and snug when it slide under the near side bolt as you close it that last bit.

Good Luck!

Bill

arcticbreeze · 11-14-2009, 06:21 PM

I have a mold that looks just like that from when I first started. Luckily it was a cheaper Lee instead of a GB. I got that same brown build up when I was using a boolit lude to lube my mold also. It burned on and is still there years later. Have you ever used anything but bullplate to lube the mold? Here is on I have that looks like yours I think.

wallenba · 11-19-2009, 04:08 PM

When I was a newbie to casting I lubed my sprue plate with hard ALOX. It got everywhere. The top of that mold still looks messed up like that.

Springfield · 11-19-2009, 05:56 PM

MtGun44: Actually the sprue plates on Mihec's moulds are steel, not aluminum. And I have inadvertently left my molds heating up in the lead mix for way too long, like I got a phone call and forgot it was there. And the Bullplate NEVER burned. I love this stuff, it doesn't build up, it keeps the lead from sticking, it lubes the pivots and pins. That's why I aquired 15 bottles of it. Ya never know, Bullshop might decide for some reason to stop selling it and I just couldn't take the chance. I just received this mould in the mail, so I will check it out, and cast a few with Bullplate and see if I have any problems. Will keep you all informed.

Bullshop · 11-19-2009, 06:30 PM

Springfield
Just this week I orderd $1400.00 in supplies to keep the Bullplate flowing.
Keep the faith Brother.
BIC/BS

theperfessor · 11-19-2009, 07:45 PM

The whooshing noise was all of us experienced casters letting out our breath in relief!

Bullshop · Yesterday, 12:49 AM

Breath easy Perfessor! Ol BS is on the job.
BIC/BS

MtGun44 · Yesterday, 10:03 PM

Go BS Go!

Kinda unfortunate initials, but we love you anyway!

Glad to hear you are spending that much on stuff to make the lube, I interpret
that to mean that you are benefitting financially from providing us with such
a great product. As it should be.

Bill

Bullshop · Yesterday, 11:29 PM

A hearty thanks to all who have ordered bullplate!!! You have all helped us here at BS acres to stay afloat. I thank you all and the good Lord for giving me something I can do and stay with my family.
When I was falling timber I was away from home 9 months a year.
On Jr's first birthday 16 years ago I flew out to be with him and BS mom and when we met at the airport he wouldn't come to me because he didn't know me.
Broke my heart and that was the end of timber falling for me.
I went from $300.00 a day falling timber to nearly zip selling boolits. Its been a long hard road. We are not getting rich but then we don't want to be.
We sell enough to not have any debt and I am thankful for that.
If I may say this here, the good book says that true gain is contentment with food and raiment and we are content.
Thanks again to all 10,000 of you brothers of the silver stream.
BIC/BS

11-14-2009, 04:24 PM	#21
MtGun44 Boolit Master Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: eastern Kansas- suburb of KC Posts: 2,392	Looking at the new pix, the mold is a lot cleaner. I am still puzzled by the original brown buildup. I never get that and I always use Bull Plate Lube. Do you have access to a surface plate or a really good flat surface like the ground flat top of a mill or even good quality cast iron table saw? You may find that you have inadvertantly bent the sprue plate slightly when it was hot. Hot aluminum is fairly soft and the sprue plates on Lee 6 holers and the MiHec molds are aluminum. If the sprue plate is bent slightly you can either try to straighten it or probably better, lap it back to flatness. You need the very flat surface (chunk of thick glass works, too) and some silicon carbide sandpaper ("Wet or Dry" - the black stuff) in about 240, 360 and 400 or similar grits. Lay the paper on the flat surface, lube with a bit of kerosene or other very light oil and move the sprue plate back and forth while pressed to the paper to grind off any high spots and get it back flat. Start with around 360 unless there is a lot of metal to remove, then maybe 240. Finish with 400 or finer if you want a super finish. I have helped my Lyman molds on multiple occasions by lapping the sprue plate back flat. Maybe lapping the top of the two mold blocks would help, too. Try to see what might have been producing the brown film, this is not helpful or normal and you should find out how to keep it from happening in the future. Sparing use of Bull Plate on the whole bottom of the sprue plate and top of the mold away from the mold cavities should prevent future galling if the two piece are flat. Avoid overtightening the pivot screw, too. Once the sprues are cut the sprue plate should swing freely, and be relocated flat and snug when it slide under the near side bolt as you close it that last bit. Good Luck! Bill __________________ If it was easy, anybody could do it.

11-19-2009, 04:08 PM	#23
wallenba Boolit Master Join Date: May 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 702	When I was a newbie to casting I lubed my sprue plate with hard ALOX. It got everywhere. The top of that mold still looks messed up like that. __________________ Dutch "If we do not succeed, we run the risk of failure". -Dan Quayle

11-19-2009, 05:56 PM	#24
Springfield Vendor Sponsor Join Date: May 2005 Location: San Jose, California Posts: 1,442	MtGun44: Actually the sprue plates on Mihec's moulds are steel, not aluminum. And I have inadvertently left my molds heating up in the lead mix for way too long, like I got a phone call and forgot it was there. And the Bullplate NEVER burned. I love this stuff, it doesn't build up, it keeps the lead from sticking, it lubes the pivots and pins. That's why I aquired 15 bottles of it. Ya never know, Bullshop might decide for some reason to stop selling it and I just couldn't take the chance. I just received this mould in the mail, so I will check it out, and cast a few with Bullplate and see if I have any problems. Will keep you all informed. __________________ http://www.whyteleatherworks.com/

11-19-2009, 06:30 PM	#25
Bullshop Vendor Sponsor Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Alaska Posts: 2,881	Springfield Just this week I orderd $1400.00 in supplies to keep the Bullplate flowing. Keep the faith Brother. BIC/BS __________________ JC Sales Rep. http://bullshop.gunloads.com/

11-19-2009, 07:45 PM	#26
theperfessor Boolit Master Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: southern indiana Posts: 551	The whooshing noise was all of us experienced casters letting out our breath in relief! __________________ ******************** Technology is an applied science, i.e., it translates the discoveries of theoretical science into practical application to man’s life. As such, technology is not the first step in the development of a given body of knowledge, but the last; it is not the most difficult step, but it is the ultimate step, the implicit purpose, of man's quest for knowledge. [Ayn Rand, 1969]

11-14-2009, 06:21 PM	#22
arcticbreeze Boolit Master Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: New Port Richey, FL Posts: 345	I have a mold that looks just like that from when I first started. Luckily it was a cheaper Lee instead of a GB. I got that same brown build up when I was using a boolit lude to lube my mold also. It burned on and is still there years later. Have you ever used anything but bullplate to lube the mold? Here is on I have that looks like yours I think.

Yesterday, 12:49 AM	#27
Bullshop Vendor Sponsor Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Alaska Posts: 2,881	Breath easy Perfessor! Ol BS is on the job. BIC/BS __________________ JC Sales Rep. http://bullshop.gunloads.com/

Yesterday, 10:03 PM	#28
MtGun44 Boolit Master Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: eastern Kansas- suburb of KC Posts: 2,392	Go BS Go! Kinda unfortunate initials, but we love you anyway! Glad to hear you are spending that much on stuff to make the lube, I interpret that to mean that you are benefitting financially from providing us with such a great product. As it should be. Bill __________________ If it was easy, anybody could do it.

Yesterday, 11:29 PM	#29
Bullshop Vendor Sponsor Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Alaska Posts: 2,881	A hearty thanks to all who have ordered bullplate!!! You have all helped us here at BS acres to stay afloat. I thank you all and the good Lord for giving me something I can do and stay with my family. When I was falling timber I was away from home 9 months a year. On Jr's first birthday 16 years ago I flew out to be with him and BS mom and when we met at the airport he wouldn't come to me because he didn't know me. Broke my heart and that was the end of timber falling for me. I went from $300.00 a day falling timber to nearly zip selling boolits. Its been a long hard road. We are not getting rich but then we don't want to be. We sell enough to not have any debt and I am thankful for that. If I may say this here, the good book says that true gain is contentment with food and raiment and we are content. Thanks again to all 10,000 of you brothers of the silver stream. BIC/BS __________________ JC Sales Rep. http://bullshop.gunloads.com/