help needed with weight making

Member Joined: Sep 15, 2006 Posts: 36

ok my problem is this. i have all the gear needed to make my own leads, but everytime i try to make some it dont work.

the lead melts no problem, the mould is clamped shut with wires and loops in, but when i pour it into the mould it either blocks up straight away or only fills half the mould before overflowing. the lead is all good stuff and all the crud on top is scooped off before pouring.

where am i going wrong? any ideas ?

:oops: 8O

Regular Joined: Jan 13, 2005 Posts: 449 Location: Norfolk

Make sure you heat the mould before pouring the lead in. ( This dispels any moisture that might be present ) Also make sure the lead is actually hot enough. Mine normally takes on a bluish tinge on the surface. When I did both of these things, I never had those problems again. Good luck. happy

Guest

Hi. When casting, there should be a vent hole which will be smaller than the pour hole or the pour hole should be sufficiently wide to allow the air out. If either of these is not the case, or the vent is blocked, the lead going in will create an air lock and you'll get a bad cast. Dust the mould with french chalk as well-it'll help with the release. Another common mistake is to pour too fast. People think that the lead will cool straight away and rush to get it all in. Steady will get it every time. For anyone that wants to cast their own of a particular type, you don't nee a pre-made mould. Buy some silicon casting rubber from an art shop and use an existing lead to make your own moulds.

Hope this helps

Guest

No church roof will be safe now!

Member Joined: Sep 15, 2006 Posts: 36

thanks for the tips, been out and made over thirty weights tonight and everyone is spot on, not one problem or half cast one.

now i can start to work on getting rid of my pile of lead lol

thanks all

Regular Joined: Jan 13, 2005 Posts: 449 Location: Norfolk

Glad it all went ok Sharkdiver. happy