JonB
Halcyon member
I scored this 'used' 41 caliber NOE 413 230 LFN mold last week (from the other forum), The seller told me the alignment pins were sticky, but otherwise was very good condition and the price was right so I pulled the trigger. When the mold arrived, I seen rust on all the screws/setscrews, as well as on the back of the alignment pins and it appeared the sprue plate was 'cleaned' (read rust removed) and underside resurfaced...I was a bit nervous.
Luckily none of the screw threads were buggered (due to rust) and one of the alignment pins were sticking in it's receptacle. I heated the mold to casting temp, and tapped that alignment pin "in" a bit. Let it cool, now pin connection was too loose. I reheated the mold, then tapped the pin back out a bit. let it cool, the 'fit' was much, much better. I gave it a thorough cleaning and cast up a bunch this afternoon using some pistol range scrap (BHN=10). The mold functioned great.
All's well that ends well. Although, they drop at .414 (you know the typical .001 larger than NOE advertises), I sure would prefer it drop at .411 or a hair over that. Anyway, I'll run them through the Star this weekend, and see how that goes.
Luckily none of the screw threads were buggered (due to rust) and one of the alignment pins were sticking in it's receptacle. I heated the mold to casting temp, and tapped that alignment pin "in" a bit. Let it cool, now pin connection was too loose. I reheated the mold, then tapped the pin back out a bit. let it cool, the 'fit' was much, much better. I gave it a thorough cleaning and cast up a bunch this afternoon using some pistol range scrap (BHN=10). The mold functioned great.
All's well that ends well. Although, they drop at .414 (you know the typical .001 larger than NOE advertises), I sure would prefer it drop at .411 or a hair over that. Anyway, I'll run them through the Star this weekend, and see how that goes.