Rusty mould

[Pistolero]

Brad,

Well the old girl will never have her girlish complexion back, but it does look like she'll make good bullets
again in the near future. Patina, call it patina.

On the [off] topic of funky chems that "chemists" (in Brit-speak) have access to..... is USP grade or similar boric acid
powder readily available? My mother taught me to use it for an eye wash if you get a minor tear duct infection, and
used to see the premixed solution, which seems to have disappeared. Can I get the powder without special
paperwork or something? Used to be easy.

Bill

 

[Brad]

Boric acid is easy to get. Might even find it at the hardware store as an ant killer.

If you need some ask your local "chemist", they can easily order it.

 

[Brad]

They are definitely a bit rough looking but that should be easy to clean up. I did a little lapping but the drill battery needs a recharge and Brad has to get ready for work.

 

[Pistolero]

Ergly for sure, but they are tools, not projectiles. About 400 grit for lapping, I would guess.

I like the idea of leaving the rust down in the pits, should help get a smoother surface.

Thanks, will check.

Bill

 

[fiver]

the alignment pins look a titch off, and a little base flashing there somewhere.
it looks like nothing that can't be fixed right up though.
if they are giving a decent diameter I wouldn't get too worked up about the bumpy surface.

 

[Ian]

Rust makes good filler. When you get it leveled everywhere you want, finish it off with a thorough degreasing and boil in distilled water to convert the rust to black FeO3.

 

[Ian]

Peen the bulged side by the pin hole flat again using light taps from a polished hammer face. Maybe insert the shank end of a drill for a mandrel to keep the hole round.

 

[oscarflytyer]

I can ask myself tomorrow

Wintergreen oil is methylsalicylate. Good as a topical pain reliever but quite toxic. I don’t even know if we can get it anymore.

LOL Brad! You may have told me this before. Didn't know it was toxic. But I got a bottle they oh hand about 2 years ago...

 

[Brad]

There is a small flash from a couple cavities.
That is a pretty high tin alloy and it likes to flash.
Will be a few days before I mess with it much more. This job thing is getting in the way.

 

[Rally Hess]

Looks good Brad. I had my doubts, especially about the handle screws. Did any lead stick to the top of the spruce plate when you cast with it? What did you use to clean the fill holes on the sprue plate?

 

[Ian]

Total sidetrack, but I saw a very old box of "Ben-Gay" at a museum today and the ingredients were listed on the front: Menthol, methyl salicylate, and lanolin.

 

[fiver]

I always found that name quite ironic.
the one place you don't want to put it is.. well,, it is.

 

[Ben]

View attachment 6061
They are definitely a bit rough looking but that should be easy to clean up. I did a little lapping but the drill battery needs a recharge and Brad has to get ready for work.

WOW ! ! !

I've got to say that I'm impressed.
That mould cast some pretty nice looking bullets.
Great job Brad ! !

Ben

 

[Brad]

Ben, do you have Lyman 4 cav handles?
When I get this mould cleaned up a bit more I would like to send it to you. You have a nice 8 mm rifle and I don't. We really need to see what the bullets can do.

 

[S Mac]

If Ben doesn't I have some I could send him.

 

[Brad]

Wait a second, I have the original handles less the burned off wood. The pivot is amazingly smooth. A bit of time cleaning the portion that enters the slots in the sides of the mould and they should be fine. Somehow I think Ben can put some new wood on them.
Hopefully time will be found this weekend to get more lapping and casting done.

 

[Ben]

Sorry that I don't have any Lyman 4 cav. handles.
The " Goal " would be a .325" - .326" dia. cast bullet.

Ben

 

[Brad]

That should be very possible Ben.
I just measured 3 bullets and they are a bit out of round but measure .325 x .328. Once the alignment pins clean up more and the cavities are further lapped I bet they round out better.

 

[fiver]

you can make real nice handles from a couple of chunks of deer horn and some 2 part epoxy.

 

[Ben]

That should be very possible Ben.
I just measured 3 bullets and they are a bit out of round but measure .325 x .328. Once the alignment pins clean up more and the cavities are further lapped I bet they round out better.

Sounding better all the time.

Ben