Shout Out to a Generous Forum-Member

Jeff H

NW Ohio
Well, maybe not as silly as thinking I should buy that old game called "Operation" to practice picking up and placing bullets. I learned my lesson with the handle already. I may decide to replace the Bakelite with something a bit more robust though. My pick-n-place operation needs tuning and re-tooling. I did the 35s with a set of curved hemostats and the control was great, but they left marks if I didn't clear the coated surface with the tines suddenly - like dropping the bullet from 1/16" off the parchment by quickly opening the jaws. I modified a set of long needle-nose pliers with no jaw serrations, but they're balky opening and closing. I have extra hemostats at work and know just which set I will bring home and do this "nose-job" on, and should be much less apt to knock over bullets or mar the noses.



I thought I was going to have to go out and buy a new convection toaster oven, but this is working just fine. I'll need to bypass the 15-minute mechanical timer, but that's easy enough. If I end up doing this more often, I may just mount a dedicated controller to it. It's 1450W, element on top and bottom, all stainless and pretty robust. I think I paid $15 for it on the big auction site in 2007 or '8. Finally getting some use out of it.



So far, the only thing I've had to BUY to make this work is the powder. I'm not counting the thin silicone mats since they won't be part of the project, but they will find their purpose some day, as most things I've kept long enough do - it just won't be for THIS. All the help and information shared here is, well, priceless.

I totally "get" the dry-run concept, too, Ian. I build furniture (not often enough any more) and dry assemble EVERYTHING before ANYTHING sees a spot of glue. Everything get s laid out, steps are reviewed and written down, if required, clamps positoned strategically - the whole nine yards. It doesn't take longer either, because if I DON'T do that "dry-run," something WILL go wrong and recovering always takes longer than practicing.

Some people don't know that as aliphatic resins absorb into wood, that the cells swell and make tenons GROW. SOME people DO know that, only because they once patiently and painstakingly put glue on EIGHT tenons (hey, aliphatic resins set slowly) and each one got harder and harder to beat into its previously perfectly sized mortise. I may learn the hard way sometimes, but one is less apt to forget the most painful lessons.
 
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Jeff H

NW Ohio
LOL! Ian, you've struck a vein n my subconscious!

I just stuck a pan of bread sticks into the oven (in the kitchen) and caught myself metering my acceleration/deceleration, leveling and moitoring efficiency and smoothness of motion, to include being mindful of my elbows,....

I think I've already been doing this too long.:rofl:
 

Rockydoc

Well-Known Member
For handling the powdered bullets you might try a dental tool called "college pliers" or "cotton pliers", same tool, different name.

I don't start timing the cook until the powder begins to melt and take on a shine. I have a flashlight by the oven to use to take a peek through the glass door to see that shiny surface appear.
 

Jeff H

NW Ohio
Thanks, Rockydoc. Do I remember correctly that you may once have used such a tool professionally?

I have a dentist's appointment coming up soon - I'll ask him to show me what they look like and see if I can figure out if he's a shooter or hunter. They fella he replaced hunted and did wildlife photography. Liked that guy a lot. Jury's out on the new guy. Seems OK - I like that he is open and blunt - no beating 'round the bush.

I DID peek in a few times to see if the powder flowed at 400F and it was almost like using a Templestick - almost dead-on at 400F. I don't have a window, so I'll peek with a flashlight again on heavier bullets too. I've done 50 through 180 (DANG! I have a RCBS 200 grain 358 mould I forgot to try) and when I get a chance to stick some .430" 250s in there, I'll check again. No window on mine, so I will check each weight bullet and adjust as necessary.

Good insight, and thank you.
 

Rockydoc

Well-Known Member
Yes I have used that tool a few times. I think it takes large bullets longer to get up to powder flow temp than small ones. The curing time count down doesn't start until after the powder starts to melt.
 

Jeff H

NW Ohio
Yes I have used that tool a few times. I think it takes large bullets longer to get up to powder flow temp than small ones. The curing time count down doesn't start until after the powder starts to melt.
Makes perfect sense - thank you. Just cleaned the old 429-421 and RCBS 35 cal 200 grain moulds and have a few cast up already. considerably more mass and girth in those.
 

CWLONGSHOT

Well-Known Member
I use hemostats. Tweezers didnt work as well For me. But just fingers work fine if ya dust them first. Think needing dough with flower so it dosent stick. Same principal only for fingers. Or you can don rubber gloves. I like the curved hemos.

CW
 

STIHL

Well-Known Member
Why I went to baskets for certain things. I will still pick and stand some bullets, but it’s usually plain based that are going to get to go fast. Otherwise I don’t mind a few holidays here and there. The cost sill flows good. Get the baskets seasoned with powder and they work even better. I have got to get some

It can get time consuming picking and standing billets up.

Oh those silicone ice fine trays off Amazon CW is talking about. They do work well too.
 

Ian

Notorious member
20190624_200113_20190908211016761.jpg

Not a good photo, but these are what I use. Smooth jaw, grippy handles, and most importantly a flat spring that pushes them open. I hold them kind of like post hole diggers to pick the bullets carefully out of the BBs, hook a thumb across to lock the handles, tap on the side of the container, then place the bullet on the sheet, always having both hands on the pliers.
 

Ian

Notorious member
I can pick, tap, and place about 80-100 bullets (two containers worth, including 2-3 minutes shaking each batch) by the time the last tray is done baking, so it is a continuous process producing up to 300 bullets per hour.
 

Rick H

Well-Known Member
Nitril glove with thumb and forefinger dusted with powder. Pick them with my fingers, knock on the side of the shake and bake container and stand them up by hand. I tried tweezers and hemostats. The glove is way easier and faster. It turns inside out when you take it off for cleaner storage for the next time. Now if I could just stop banging into things as I lift the plate loaded with standing bullets. I used to stand up dominoes to watch them fall as a kid too.
I have the silicone ice trays, must try them.
 

Jeff H

NW Ohio
Yep. what I'm used to for various other things. I have a larger set at work I used to use to insert wires into terminal strips when some aspiring skin-flint designer saved six bucks by putting them in 6"x6" boxes. I haven't used them in years, so I'm bringing them home for recreational purposes. I don't NEED tools at work anymore. I make my students do the work, which is sort of the point anyway.
I use hemostats. Tweezers didnt work as well For me. But just fingers work fine if ya dust them first. Think needing dough with flower so it dosent stick. Same principal only for fingers. Or you can don rubber gloves. I like the curved hemos.

CW
I onlt get a little mark now and then, but it is pretty damp in the shop/garage right now. I assume a lot of what I am doing might work better once it gets colder, which is when I cast anyway.
 

Jeff H

NW Ohio
Why I went to baskets for certain things. I will still pick and stand some bullets, but it’s usually plain based that are going to get to go fast. Otherwise I don’t mind a few holidays here and there. The cost sill flows good. Get the baskets seasoned with powder and they work even better. I have got to get some

It can get time consuming picking and standing billets up.

Oh those silicone ice fine trays off Amazon CW is talking about. They do work well too.
I'm going to see how this goes, but won't rule out baskets. As seen on the pic of the oven, I have a fairly narrow slot to get things in with, so I'll be passively watching for shallow baskets in the mean time.
 

Jeff H

NW Ohio
....Smooth jaw, grippy handles, and most importantly a flat spring that pushes them open. I hold them kind of like post hole diggers to pick the bullets carefully out of the BBs, hook a thumb across to lock the handles, tap on the side of the container, then place the bullet on the sheet, always having both hands on the pliers.
EXACTLY the specs on mine, except mine are smaller and CHEAP. They are balky opening and closing, which causes foibles. Had to chckle anbout the post-hole digger, because that's what I'm doing and I'm sure it looks a bit comical. Sure are a lot of nuances to something which SEEMS so simple. It's NOT simple - it's complicated - it's just not difficult. Keep trying to tell junior generations that it's WORK - it's ALL WORK - if it's worth doing.
I can pick, tap, and place about 80-100 bullets (two containers worth, including 2-3 minutes shaking each batch) by the time the last tray is done baking, so it is a continuous process producing up to 300 bullets per hour.
Working on the speed. Right now focused on the precision. G. Gordon Liddy said that he was taught to shoot his 357 well and fast by "taking your time quickly."
 
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Jeff H

NW Ohio
Nitril glove with thumb and forefinger dusted with powder. Pick them with my fingers, knock on the side of the shake and bake container and stand them up by hand. I tried tweezers and hemostats. The glove is way easier and faster. It turns inside out when you take it off for cleaner storage for the next time. Now if I could just stop banging into things as I lift the plate loaded with standing bullets. I used to stand up dominoes to watch them fall as a kid too.
I have the silicone ice trays, must try them.
I'm going to try the gloves eventually. Right now they are precious and dear - hard to get, and I need them regularly for caregiver responsibilities, so no nitrile gloves in the shop for a while. Right now, I have my "two favorite fingers" all taped up to heal skin cracks ('tis the season) and can't pick up anything and have a terrible time typing/texting anyway. I'll also keep an eye out for the silicone trays. Missed opportunity as I scrambled to do my online Christmas shopping last minute - I could have been looking out for them.
 

CWLONGSHOT

Well-Known Member
Here is a pic of the mini Icecube tray. I was casting some bullets for a friend and had to try this mold too. ;)

C7C7C911-5AD2-4AB3-B9CF-7FD853811BB4.jpeg
As you can see by the speckles... Its been used many times. Those are 180g LEE 30cal.

CW
 

Jeff H

NW Ohio
Here is a pic of the mini Icecube tray. I was casting some bullets for a friend and had to try this mold too. ;)

View attachment 24785
As you can see by the speckles... Its been used many times. Those are 180g LEE 30cal.

CW
PERFECT! I could get even more in the oven that way - more bullets per kilowat-hour!

I know - I'm "cheap," but I find a lot of entertainment in finding ways to do something with almost nothing.