On one of my moulds, the Ideal single cavity vent lines on the bands came short. Interestingly, the bullets filled out rather well, but not quite enough, probably doable but was wondering if it can be worked. If not I’ll buy buy another mould. This time check it out more thourghly before buyin one.
Borrowed a laser thermometer from a friend to check 400 degree mould temp. Running ~13 BHN
I have a small file set , but it's too big. I'll check out Harbor Freight today in the hobby section for fine files and a small square too.Vent lines can be extended into a cavity with a small, fine file or scribe and straight-edge (better, a small machinists square), a steady hand, LIGHT touch and patience. A decent vice is necessary too. The iron is soft. I've done a few and even have one where the straight-edge slipped and have to see an errant scrawl when I use the mould. It doesn't actually hurt anything other than my pride.
What Jeff wrote. I think hobo freight sells carbide-tipped scribes (or used to). That is the tool you need. I have yet to see a file of any sort that has an edge fine enough and of a sharp enough edge termination to clean up a proper vent line. Magnification, on the order of 10x or more, is also very handy for ensuring a neat job.
Ok Ian I got the burr inside the cavity from using a fine awl from HF and ran 00 wool with a patch jag and drill. It passed the Q tip test for me. No cotton left on the edge of the cavity.Yep, you see that burr on the front edge of the left block and rear edge of the right block only due to the rotational direction of the single-point boring bar. Flick that burr out of the groove, slice it off where it now protrudes into the cavity, close the blocks and spin a ball of 2-O steel wool in there backwards, mould officially "Lee-Mented"!
think I get away from pressure pouring now that I noticed the band vents weren't in the cavities. And I bought a infrared thermometer to get the mould where I need it. Thanks man.Now try casting with it, it will probably be fine now. I was afraid you'd overdo it with the file (unless you have a unicorn like Jeff's needle file) and if you did it will make big nasty whiskers when you pressure-pour.