Mold Release

[Quigly]

Hi,
What are people using as a mold release agent. I tried ordering the Tipton Frankford Arsenal mold release spray from Amazon, but they keep jerking me around, so I am looking elsewhere. However, it seems the Frankford Arsenal stuff is hard to get in Canada. Is there another product you would recommend?

 

[gnmontey]

Never used anything like that. What makes you think you need to use it?

M

 

[Potashminer]

Lee recommends soot - from a burning match, or similar. Smoke from a candle didn't work very good - something in the candle I used? Soot up the aluminum mold and can cast hundreds of bullets before needing another coating.

 

[yomomma]

Lighter works well...once broken in you wont need it

 

[Chas59]

Same for me, just used a match, works fine. Make sure your mold is hot enough when you cast.

 

[Quigly]

Thank you for the responses. This is my first foray into casting, and I had read that a release agent was needed. I have both aluminum and steel molds. I imagine smoking works well for both?

 

[Chas59]

Smoking works for both steel and aluminum.

 

[misterzr]

I use dry graphite spray, shoot it on once before each casting session

 

[vagrantviking]

Smoking isn't bad. Graphite is better.

Best is if you don't need it. For a stubborn mold polishing and cleaning up burrs is the way to go. Go over the edges with a q-tip or magnification to find any. Cast some bullets, put a screw in the center of the sprue, coat with toothpaste or mild abrasive and spun it slowly with a drill.

 

[hatman1793]

You can smoke your molds or not. I quit smoking my molds after watching FortuneCookie45LC's video on the subject.
He started off with a new LEE mold & after cleaning & drying it, he casted bullets just fine.

 

[barsik]

kano kroil works fairly well.

 

[hometownhero]

Never smoked or used anything to get bullets to release. They fall out on their own.

 

[Quigly]

I forgot to mention that 4 of the molds I have cast shotgun slug molds, that have and insert to cast holllow base slugs. Has anyone had any difficulty removing the hardened slug from the pin/insert after casting? These are russian shotgun slug molds, not Lee.

 

[Quigly]

You can smoke your molds or not. I quit smoking my molds after watching FortuneCookie45LC's video on the subject.
He started off with a new LEE mold & after cleaning & drying it, he casted bullets just fine.

I am using Russsian Russian manufactured slug molds just like the ones that fortunecookie45LC uses. In one of his videos he reccomends the usr of a mold release spray. Especially, to get the hardened slug off the center pin/insert that create a hollow base on the slug.

 

[hatman1793]

Where did you obtain the Russian slug mold?

 

[yomomma]

Order directly from Russia

https://russianslugmould.com/home/instructions-advice-and-views/

 

[slug]

I'm itching to try the HBN spray, especially in iron Minie ball moulds.
A Mississauga outfit carries it but wants $ 40 US for shipping, and that sticks in my Scottish craw.
Hopefully, my brother can be my mule and bring a few cans on his next visit.

 

[infideleggwelder]

not sure about mold smoking, what do you roll them up in?

 

[jethunter]

I don't use mold release and won't. My idea is to keep the cavities as clean possible. Bulets will drop if the mold and the pot are running at the right temperature. Sticky bullets usually means the mold temp is too low.

 

[jethunter]

not sure about mold smoking, what do you roll them up in?

Regular rolling paper, but it's hard to keep it lit.