Chamber cast Funnel for molten lead

[Lebel]

For the life of me, I can't find a long skinny metal funnel for pouring lead. I looked at a sausage stuffing funnel/tube .... might work? I'm not steady enough to use a squished metal can. I don't think a transmission funnel would work. I would think the lead would get hung up that adjustable tube. It can be frustrating because gunsmithing is an amalgamation of other trades tools. [shrug]

 

[brybenn]

Cerosafe might be a better alternative to molten lead

 

[HuskyDude]

Now that's funny, I spent a good hour yesterday surfing around looking for the same thing.
Even went to the dollar store looking for a big soup ladle I could bend up.

Abandon that idea and came home with some $2 steal measuring spoons.
Works perfectly with Cerasafe.

I was thinking of ordering this from Amazon.ca Not sure I need it now.

But if you're doing lead you want might want to look at it.

RCBS Lead Dipper $ 28.95 CDN

 

[Arctic]

Make up a boiling out funnel, a small metal funnel with some copper tubing, then a cartridge with the head cut off. Works perfectly!

 

[Grizzly Adams]

Cerosafe might be a better alternative to molten lead

Unless you get that funnel really hot, it's going to plug .

Grizz

 

[MuthaFunk]

I didn’t think you could even do it with lead. Won’t it get stuck in the chamber? I’ve used cerosafe without any issues. Just used a dollar store kitchen serving spoon that I bent a spout into.

 

[sean69]

you can get stainless ladles in any size you need from restaurant supply stores ... I use them for casting pewter.

 

[Ol' Flinter]

I am not sure the lead will give you an accurate dimension because it shrinks as it cools. Also, what is the chance it will "solder" itself to the chamber and have to be melted out? Just a couple of thoughts

 

[HuskyDude]

Need a release agent. Something like PAM cooking spray.

I just used some Hornady One Shot on a Q tip. didn't have a problem.

 

[sean69]

I am not sure the lead will give you an accurate dimension because it shrinks as it cools. Also, what is the chance it will "solder" itself to the chamber and have to be melted out? Just a couple of thoughts

Am not 100% sure, but I think that is the thing with cerrosafe, that it does not shrink as it cools. nor needs a release. could be wrong - only what I have read

 

[HuskyDude]

Your right!
Doesn't need a release...just helps.

 

[2drx4]

Am not 100% sure, but I think that is the thing with cerrosafe, that it does not shrink as it cools. nor needs a release. could be wrong - only what I have read

"Cerrosafe shrinks during the first 30 minutes of cooling and then at the end of an hour, is EXACTLY chamber size. At the end of 200 hours it will have expanded approximately .0025"."

Pretty bizarre alloy to do that, but I'll take their word for it because it appears to work.

 

[fingers284]

I am not sure the lead will give you an accurate dimension because it shrinks as it cools. Also, what is the chance it will "solder" itself to the chamber and have to be melted out? Just a couple of thoughts

The lead shrinkage is so minimal that Identifying a cartridge is easily done. Ive used both sulphur casting & lead (both without any release agent), just a slight tap with a cleaning rod has removed them.

Sulphur is the most undesirable material to use for a couple of reasons but it will work in a pinch. One thing with using sulphur, it is so brittle when it hardens that you have to use a bet of heavy string/cord as a support backbone.

 

[Ol' Flinter]

To prevent any adherance of lead to the steel surface of the chamber, simply rub some instant blue on the inside of the chamber where the lead goes. You cannot solder to a blued steel surface. I think something like PAM would burn and mess up the casting.