I have dozens of Lee Molds---when new just wipe off and spray (outside) with Carb cleaner--let it dry. Pre-heat the mold; once up to temperature, the cavities will fill just fine. No need to do anything else.
Well, this makes sense, thanks, but in the past I’ve just cleaned new molds with acetone. For heating before casting I park the mold at the edge of the pot for a while. The first half dozen castings are always frosted or have other problems, but after I get the temp right they start throwing good bullets. I’ve used chunks of beeswax on the hot mold for lubrication. I have several brand new molds I haven’t used yet, so will follow your routine with those and see what differences I get, thanks.
Now, I usually just wash the molds with a few shots of brake cleaner, but the hot plate is a game changer. I usually get perfect bullets within a drop or two if you just let your molds heat up while you're starting your alloy. I never used the beeswax, but a little oil on those spots has done me well, so far. Thanks🤠👍🇺🇲
Cool! Thanks for sharing. I should have done this on 2 molds and I just got a new one so sounds like treatment time! I've found myself saying "Hot bad!" In a Frankenstein voice often when those close calls happen. Hot knuckles bad!
GOOD STUFF MAN!! Required operations! Well not "required" but makes life better and less stress free!! 100% esp on LEE check the flatness of that spure plate!! SYN 2cycle oil or ANTI SEEZE both of these better resist the high heat our molds operate at. But LESS IS MORE!! Another tip, wire a old 7.5" saw blade to the hot plate for a nice flat surface!! As you mentioned BRAKE CLEAN for blasting any remnants of lube. Keep it near the pot as you can spray out molds between casting!!
All great info! I need to get some anti seize for lube and stones to smooth out the sprue plates. The saw blade sounds like a nice touch as well! Thanks for the tips!
Awesome info, and I appreciate you sharing with us! It was great timing as I just purchased and received 3 - Lee 6 cavity molds and 1 Lee 2 cavity mold. The info you shared will certainly help me get started. Have a wonderful day my friend :)
Sweet! Glad you found some of this useful. As others are saying in the comments, you can also use some honing stones on the bottom of your sprue plate to round out any left over edges from manufacturing, which should help prevent any scraping/gouging on the aluminum mold. I appreciate the comment. Good luck with your casting!
@@DummyRound Great. I'll clean those 4 Lee dies & the MP in a day or so. Not quite ready to start casting yet. Waiting on the "precious metals" to arrive. LOL
A cheap can of brake cleaner from your local parts store will do the needed cleaning of oil much quicker, just remember to let it dry well before you heat it so not to lose your eyebrows
Molds are like women: they are temperamental, some get hot fast, some slow, get dirty (lead streaks), and the worst mold of them all is the Karen mold 😳. This mold is cranky and refuses to make good bullets without speaking to the manufacturer. You have to send her back to make things right.
I have dozens of Lee Molds---when new just wipe off and spray (outside) with Carb cleaner--let it dry. Pre-heat the mold; once up to temperature, the cavities will fill just fine. No need to do anything else.
Have a MP mold. Couldn’t find the carb cleaner. Used Dawn heavy. Rinsed well. Got it on the stove now let’s see
How'd it go
I should have watched this last week when I got a new mold. Never too late though! Good stuff. Thanks DR!
Thank ya, sir! Happy casting 👍👊🇺🇸
Good info . I use anti seize for lube . One application is good for many casting sessions . Even Lee recommends it if you read the fine print .
Thanks I'll have to try some of that. Have a great day!
Well, this makes sense, thanks, but in the past I’ve just cleaned new molds with acetone. For heating before casting I park the mold at the edge of the pot for a while. The first half dozen castings are always frosted or have other problems, but after I get the temp right they start throwing good bullets. I’ve used chunks of beeswax on the hot mold for lubrication. I have several brand new molds I haven’t used yet, so will follow your routine with those and see what differences I get, thanks.
Now, I usually just wash the molds with a few shots of brake cleaner, but the hot plate is a game changer. I usually get perfect bullets within a drop or two if you just let your molds heat up while you're starting your alloy. I never used the beeswax, but a little oil on those spots has done me well, so far. Thanks🤠👍🇺🇲
Good morning ! ☀️ Thanks for the sharing the knowledge. 🔥💪👊🇺🇸
Good morning! Thanks for watching, brother 🇺🇸 👊 👍
Cool! Thanks for sharing. I should have done this on 2 molds and I just got a new one so sounds like treatment time! I've found myself saying "Hot bad!" In a Frankenstein voice often when those close calls happen. Hot knuckles bad!
😂 yes hot definitely bad. Got a little close on that one. Thanks for watching and good luck on the casting 👍👊🇺🇸
GOOD STUFF MAN!!
Required operations! Well not "required" but makes life better and less stress free!!
100% esp on LEE check the flatness of that spure plate!!
SYN 2cycle oil or ANTI SEEZE both of these better resist the high heat our molds operate at. But LESS IS MORE!!
Another tip, wire a old 7.5" saw blade to the hot plate for a nice flat surface!!
As you mentioned BRAKE CLEAN for blasting any remnants of lube. Keep it near the pot as you can spray out molds between casting!!
All great info! I need to get some anti seize for lube and stones to smooth out the sprue plates. The saw blade sounds like a nice touch as well! Thanks for the tips!
Great video brother
Much appreciated my friend!
I use a wet stone on the sprue plate so it does not gouge the top of my molds.
Great tip, I need to do that! Thanks for watching👍
@@DummyRound it makes such a great difference. You're not fighting to close anymore.
Awesome info, and I appreciate you sharing with us! It was great timing as I just purchased and received 3 - Lee 6 cavity molds and 1 Lee 2 cavity mold. The info you shared will certainly help me get started. Have a wonderful day my friend :)
Sweet! Glad you found some of this useful. As others are saying in the comments, you can also use some honing stones on the bottom of your sprue plate to round out any left over edges from manufacturing, which should help prevent any scraping/gouging on the aluminum mold. I appreciate the comment. Good luck with your casting!
Great video. Do you lube your molds hot or cold? I will be using anti seize.
While they're hot. The anti seize should be perfect but I'm still using 2 cycle mix🇺🇲👍
Can you get 30 caliber slug molds!!! For are the air rifles?
You can get any size diameter and weight👍🇺🇲🤠
Is this cleaning, prep, & break in procedure good for any mold (steel, brass, etc.)?
I have never done steel but I would imagine so. Just make sure to put em away nice and oiled up after you wash them out.
@@DummyRound Ok thanks. I got an MP mold for one of the bullets & it's brass. That was why I was asking.
@@gregg2560 I've done the same to my MP mold with good results. The heat plate helps a ton👌
@@DummyRound Great. I'll clean those 4 Lee dies & the MP in a day or so. Not quite ready to start casting yet. Waiting on the "precious metals" to arrive. LOL
You use brake cleaner on the sprue plates.
Why not on the molds?
I often do if I have any issues while casting but I guess I missed the opportunity for that here since I was scrubbing. Thanks🇺🇲👊
Why not put it in a solvent like acetone to get rid of any oils? It won’t make steel rust and it evaporates quickly
As long as you lube it up when you're done, it'll store properly and last for years
My favorite is break cleaner, though
Why not use your toaster oven to heat cycle the molds? Crank up the heat, throw in as many molds that will fit, heat em up, pull em out.
I'll give it a try some time, thanks🇺🇸👊👍
As long as they don't have handles it should be ok
A cheap can of brake cleaner from your local parts store will do the needed cleaning of oil much quicker, just remember to let it dry well before you heat it so not to lose your eyebrows
I now have some on standby when I'm casting or cleaning a mold 👍🇺🇲👊🤠
Come like my friend good luck 👍👍
Thank you!
You seem to be going the 'good foundation' route. Preparing your tools for some quality work.
Like most jobs, the prep work takes the most time and then it's smooth sailing👍👊🇺🇸
👍👍
Yessir!
If you do that 10k times you could do the entire top and make it all one color , plus it would protect the top from doing it again 🤣
We can call it modern art 🤣
@@DummyRound true
I don"t think I will evet do that
It's a lot of fun
Molds are like women: they are temperamental, some get hot fast, some slow, get dirty (lead streaks), and the worst mold of them all is the Karen mold 😳. This mold is cranky and refuses to make good bullets without speaking to the manufacturer. You have to send her back to make things right.
That actually made me LOL. Karen Molds ha!
Thanks for stopping in, brother!