Lessons on Casting (2 Viewers)

I did it one pour at a time and it didn't cost me a dime Thank you Johnny Cash. That would have been tricky huh? Do you like my weight for holding the pot down?
 
Well Pilgrim...

I have to say I like that a lot better than the other one. Have you thought of fabricating a stand?

Dave
 
I will probably get some 2X6 material stack it and screw it together to raise the height of the spout. Hopefully that will also give it enough weight also.

More important stuff . I ordered 2 lbs. of pewter and 4lbs of lead/tin mix to try out. there is a company in SF that sells the metal cheaper than the soldier shops. This should give me 60 to 70 figures. Not including electricity and time that will be less than a dollar a figure:)

A big tip: Make sure you use talc for the release agent. It is supposed to help with the casting and it really seems to help. Worked fairly well last night.
 
Hi KV,

What do you think the lead would cost at a junk yard? I know that if they do any kind of remodelling or gut an old building they usually come across lead pipes and we used to get them for pennies a pound and sometimes if you asked the site forman they'd let you have the stuff for free. It saved them the hassel of having to dump it. Anyway I suspose they would wig out these days if you asked the construction site to pick through the dumpster.

But I suspose they have junk/scrap yard near you.

Anyway lets see some more soldiers.

All the best

Dave
 
Just got six pounds of metal from the supplier. It is in the pot now. More figures to come soon.

I did get some 2X6 material and screwed the whole thing together. Still working in the kitchen though;)
 
Uhmm, Important tip: Coffee mugs do not make great holders for molten lead:eek:

Hi Vamp,

:D :D :D

I appreciate the tip! It will be difficult for me, but I will discontinue pouring molten lead in my coffee cup each morning. :rolleyes:

Warmest personal regards,

Pat
 
Old discarded tire wieghts? Maybe ? I'm sure the local tire place has barrels full of them.Perhaps you could talk them into letting you have a bucketfull once in a while.
Just a thought.
Fub
 
Good point Fubar! I just got some new tires and saw a guy come in and do just that for his fishing weights. They said he could have all he could carry! I suspect they have to pay dearly to dispose of this babys so why not get rid of them the easy way by giving them to some crazy guy who likes to fill coffee cups with the stuff...

Dave
 
Hi Vamp,

:D :D :D

I appreciate the tip! It will be difficult for me, but I will discontinue pouring molten lead in my coffee cup each morning. :rolleyes:

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

Pat,

Don't give up old habits, just switch to decaff lead.

Simon
 
Pat,

Don't give up old habits, just switch to decaff lead.

Simon

Simon,

:D :D :D

That is a wonderful idea! Why didn't I think of that! I think you have very effectively resolved my concern!

Warmest personal regards,

Pat ;)
 
Hi Guys,

Poor KV probably thought these guys will really take me seriously now especially when I show them how too pour a really hot cup of coffee!:p :D

All the best

Dave
 
Indeed- I have heard that the tire places have to pay to dispose of the lead wheel weights so they prolly see sending you off with free lead as a bonus- win win.
 
They stick lead on wheels with double sided tape. Some of it would burn off but smell poorly. There was a lot of junk in the pot and it clogged. I tried to empty the pot into the mug. It exploded. Lead every where! Lead on the clothes, floor,coffee grinder, coffee maker. the mixer, the wall. Quess what no burns and the pot is empty. Still trying to unclog the pot though.

One other thing when exploding coffee cups always use ones you don't like.
 
KV you are a really lucky guy! Get some metal camping cups or some old coffee tins for the emergency pour. I used a smelter that didnt have the pouring tube so we had a laddle for casting musket balls and bullets that we used you can get them from Cabellas if you cant get the spout unclogged.

Stay Safe my crazy kilted friend.

All the best

Dave
 
Yeah- I use a big metal ladle as well- it is heavy enough to use as a war club lol. It was about $25. It just sits on the stoves element much like the little ones you can get from PA. I add enough metal for a pour and while that one cools I drop new metal into the ladle. Course I wear gloves since the ladle itself heats up a good amount...

When you say junk do you mean the slag? I know I have a heckuva time getting it out of the ladle so I dont imagine getting it out of a tube is any fun :(
 
I guess you guys are what I consider the hard cores. Explodeing coffee cups this is extreme soldiering. I love this stuff, I think if I intended to try casting toy soldiers, I would go the lite weight way resin. Good luck, and stay safe. Mike.
 

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