Your opinion on this problem

waco

waco

Springfield, Oregon
I've cast twice with this mold now for a total of around 1000 bullets. I'm getting close to a 50/50 reject rate.
I know AL molds take a few heat cycles to break in. I did scrub the mold with Dawn and a toothbrush before using it. I can think of a few things it could be. I preheated the mold on a hot plate. I ran my alloy, 50/50 pure/coww/1% tin anywhere from 700-800 degrees.
1. Mold still not totally clean?
2. Mold still not hot enough?
3. Alloy not fluxed well enough?
4. Need to adjust the speed of the pour?
Is there anything else I am missing? A venting issue possibly?
Thank you.
 
waco

waco

Springfield, Oregon
The driving band ans lube groove are real rounded and just not filled out very well. Not sure why I can't post a pic now. Never had problems before.
 
358156 hp

358156 hp

At large, whereabouts unknown.
When I was having problems with my last NOE mould Ian suggested a slight touch of smoke to the cavities, just enough to give them a slight caramel color. That did help the situation out considerably. The results after smoking were at least somewhat acceptable. Before that, I had washed and scrubbed the mould so many times that I was getting concerned about wearing it out with cleaning. I still don't use the mould as much as I probably should. My normal casting temp for most 2 cavity moulds is 725*, controlled by PID. I'll bump that to 750* for 4 cavity moulds if necessary.
 
Rick

Rick

Moderator
Staff member
Others have had issues posting pictures today as well. Kevin has been notified.
 
Brad

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
I had an NOE mould I was frustrated as hell with. Took me about 5 casting sessions for it to settle down and cast decent bullets. Not sure if it is an oil issue or what.
 
waco

waco

Springfield, Oregon
I figured I would get too worried about it until I've ran it at least 4-5 times.
The four cavity 312290 worked like a champ fist run. 300 or so bullets and like 15 rejects.
 
Brad

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
Some moulds just have to be cantankerous.

I have had some that ran great from the get go, some just fight me. My 9 mm 120 RN from HM2 gave 50% rounded bases. Took me a few K bullets to wise up and bevel the inner edge of the mould seem. A few trials and now it runs fine.

If casting was easy we wouldn't refer to it as an art, would we?
 
Brad

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
No photos sucks. I will see if Kevin will respond to a properly placed fire....
 
waco

waco

Springfield, Oregon
45acp 200gr
It has the HP pins in it now. That part of the bullet looks just fine. They fall nicely from the mold.
 
Str8shot426

Str8shot426

Member
I have several Noe molds, they all have their own personality. My RG mold has to be ran hot, and I get best results pressure casting with the Lyman ladle or my bottom pour pot.
 
gman

gman

Well-Known Member
I've had a few NOE's that took a few sessions with to settle them down. I'm sure you heat cycled after cleaning and before casting. I have found this usually gets them working right off. I have lightly smoked 2 molds that were stubborn to start and that cured it. Once right they were good to go.
 
Brad

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
Photo posting issue is being addressed. Tech support thinks it is a server issue. Server host has been contacted.
 
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