Mitty38
Well-Known Member
Just wanted to talk about how I deal with ending and starting bottom pour pot cast.
Kind of interested if anybody else does something different. And the thinking behind it.
Keep in mind I use 3x fluxed lead alloys only in the pot.
I Always scrape the crap off the sides as it is cooling..
Then
I leave a pound of lead in the pot when I am done with the crap and carbon left on the top. M ark what mix it was on a 3x5 card and throw it on top once it cools.
When I start up for the same alloy. I just let the small amount in the pot make a puddle, add the ingot till it is full and let it melt. Then push the crap from the last poured half way down a couple times , then Skim it off. After that I add enough ingot to get me to the 18 lb mark then throw some cheese wax on it, fold it in and when I have enough carbon floating . Start the pour.
Now when I switch from a hard alloy to a softer one like my Pistol mix, or 30 to 1.
The only difference is I add 1 pound of pure to dilute the hard alloy that was left a bit then fill the rest of the way with my desired alloy keeps me from having to drain and clean the spout.
When I go from soft to hard. ( The alloy in the pot not me). I get the pot hot, scrape the crap off the 1 pound puddle and drain it into ingot. Then clean the pot and spout well, then start from clean.
Kind of interested if anybody else does something different. And the thinking behind it.
Keep in mind I use 3x fluxed lead alloys only in the pot.
I Always scrape the crap off the sides as it is cooling..
Then
I leave a pound of lead in the pot when I am done with the crap and carbon left on the top. M ark what mix it was on a 3x5 card and throw it on top once it cools.
When I start up for the same alloy. I just let the small amount in the pot make a puddle, add the ingot till it is full and let it melt. Then push the crap from the last poured half way down a couple times , then Skim it off. After that I add enough ingot to get me to the 18 lb mark then throw some cheese wax on it, fold it in and when I have enough carbon floating . Start the pour.
Now when I switch from a hard alloy to a softer one like my Pistol mix, or 30 to 1.
The only difference is I add 1 pound of pure to dilute the hard alloy that was left a bit then fill the rest of the way with my desired alloy keeps me from having to drain and clean the spout.
When I go from soft to hard. ( The alloy in the pot not me). I get the pot hot, scrape the crap off the 1 pound puddle and drain it into ingot. Then clean the pot and spout well, then start from clean.