Using a propane torch

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burbank.jung

Active Member
How many of you use a propane torch to help prepare your pot and molds for casting bullets? I'm pretty impatient and use my propane torch to melt my ingots into my pot first. Then, I warm up the mold and the metal handle connected to it, with a final heating by pouring and dropping two sample lead bullets to transfer heat to the mold. Then I'm ready to go. I haven't invested in a hot plate yet.
 
RicinYakima

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
Only did it once, as the water condensate from the propane caused a steam explosion when I poured the first alloy into the mould.
 
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Mitty38

Mitty38

Well-Known Member
I used to wait for things to heat up.
Just went to a hot plate. Makes things a bit quicker.
The aluminum moulds You can just dip in the lead while waiting.
The hot plate is a bit better for the aluminum but, great for the steel moulds.
I still keep a torch handy for general use, like when the lead gets in places I do not want.
 
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burbank.jung

Active Member
I haven’t found a cheap hot plate yet. Interesting story about the condensation. I break up 2-3 Lee ingots, put equal amounts of each in my pot and melt to pieces on the top that protrude from my pot.
 
J

Jeff H

NW Ohio
I know that "affordable" is a variable criterion across the many people who enjoy this endeavor, so I'll toss out there that I got a hot plate at WM for $16. I also saw THREE toaster ovens with glass, bottom-hinged doors at Goodwill a week ago, even though I didn't need one.

I believe it was the venerable propane torch which got me into a heap of trouble a long time ago, with a significant pile of crap alloy. You don't know what the temp is, so you can easily melt wheel weights which are not lead. I know we're not talking about melting wheel weights, but wheel weights become ingots and ingots are like little clones and you cant tell one from another. Every once-in-awhile, one of those incognito bad ingots sneaks into a melt, and you MAY notice it when it doesn't quite melt like the others or you may not. If you use a torch to help it along, you probably won't notice it.

The hot plate has been the single biggest boon for me, using aluminum moulds - especially the big LEE 6C moulds, since I started casting. You can't get a 30-pack of Ol'-Mil' Light for $16, so I feel it's definitely worth waiting for and setting a couple bucks aside for. On principle, I try to spend the least amount and still get what I need - what works, and a $1 yard sale find would have made this an even neater addition to my tooling, but I don't regret the $16 one bit. Can't even find a used Lee 2C for that right now.
 
Winelover

Winelover

North Central Arkansas
Used a propane torch for pre heating molds since I started casting in the 70's. Didn't start using a hot plate till about ten years ago. Still keep one handy at the casting bench. Key to using a propane torch is judicious use. Making sure not to warp the mold. Keep it in constant motion while turning the mold on all sides.

Occasionally, use it to melt oversize pieces of lead, over the casting pot. :headscratch: I don't get the condensation thing, either. I don't store any my lead outdoors. What is sifted out of my sand berm is laid out in the hot sun for a day before even thinking about smelting it.
 
CWLONGSHOT

CWLONGSHOT

Well-Known Member
I always keep a torch at the casting area. "Frozen" spigots are primary use. But I have also added the melt with one.

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Winelover

Winelover

North Central Arkansas
I float the ladle in the pot............ helping to keep oxidation in check. Sorta like Ian floating a plate when bottom pouring. Of course I'm talking a Rowell ladle and not those tiny RCBS/Lyman ones. Not much room left to put a mold on top of the pot.
 
farmboy

farmboy

cookie man
I wouldn't think of casting without using a hotplate. It speeds things up so much for me and puts the mold where I can see the temp with a heat sensor. That sensor was about $20 at Harbor Freight so if you are too cheap to buy a hotplate you won't buy a heat sensor either. Graduate to the better way of casting.
 
Winelover

Winelover

North Central Arkansas
Since this country was founded, they were casting with far less equipment than we have. Exactly, how much is too much? The more equipment one uses..........the farther away it gets from Art. Eventually, becoming a lost art.
 
JonB

JonB

Halcyon member
CWLONGSHOT said:
I always keep a torch at the casting area. "Frozen" spigots are primary use.
Click to expand...
Me too.
I use a small HF Butane torch (trigger type), which is the size of a bullet lube stick. Usually, the only time I get the frozen spout on the bottom pour is when pouring pure Lead...or with an ternary alloy when I am running the pot as cool as possible...Or it's just cold in the room, like it is today, since it's right by a window and it's -8º this morning.

EDIT: dang it Rocky, you beat me by a minute :)
 
farmboy

farmboy

cookie man
The founding fathers made bullets over a campfire so I know that it can be done. That does not make it something that I want to do. I started with a Coleman stove and a cast iron pot and have advanced to an RCBS Pro-melt and custom made molds along with a hotplate and other equipment that helps me make better bullets. This doesn't conflict with "the Art & Science" in my opinion...your opinion may be different. That doesn't make either of us right or wrong. I do it this way because it makes me happy to melt lead and make bullets that are the best I can make. It's the one hobby I can do alone and not interfere with any other living creature except my cat.
 
Bret4207

Bret4207

At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
I've tried using a torch to warm the mould. Pain in the butt. It doesn't take very long to get a mould working once the pot is up to temp. I use a large pot and ladle and pour a very generous sprue. I usually cast so fast that the mould never gets cool at all. Used to have that problem when I'd get sidetracked critiquing the fresh castings. Now I've trained myself not to do that and if anything, I find I need to slow down a bit sometimes as the mould gets so warm the sprue takes forever to cool.

IMO you can get too wrapped up in equipment, but that's going to vary between casters. To each their own!
 
CWLONGSHOT

CWLONGSHOT

Well-Known Member
We "used to" wear animal skins and live in caves with no doors heated with fire too.

Ill take my long jons wool coats and gas/oil heat in a insulated house thank you.

I like idea Emmitt as a throw back ta see how things was for nostalgia. But I like my bottom
Pour pots and hot plates with PIDs. Makes better bullets. Better is more enjoyable for me.

CW
 
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