Molds for Lead Pouring

[Pete F.]

Since you are just starting I'd make molds out of maple, two pieces and bore the holes in between. You can make all sorts of sizes for short money. After a year or two if you find that they die too quickly and have some standard weights that you use a lot of invest in a aluminum mold.
I have not yet found it worthwhile to do aluminum.

[eastendlu]

Originally Posted by Pete F.

Since you are just starting I'd make molds out of maple, two pieces and bore the holes in between. You can make all sorts of sizes for short money. After a year or two if you find that they die too quickly and have some standard weights that you use a lot of invest in a aluminum mold.
I have not yet found it worthwhile to do aluminum.

But when you do you know a machinist or two.

[Nebe]

Originally Posted by Pete F.

Since you are just starting I'd make molds out of maple, two pieces and bore the holes in between. You can make all sorts of sizes for short money. After a year or two if you find that they die too quickly and have some standard weights that you use a lot of invest in a aluminum mold.
I have not yet found it worthwhile to do aluminum.

cherry is much better for this. You'd be surprised what a beating cherry can take when in contact with hot stuff...
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[Pete F.]

Originally Posted by Nebe

cherry is much better for this. You'd be surprised what a beating cherry can take when in contact with hot stuff...
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

I'll try cherry next time, is this some old time glassblowing information?

[jeffthechef]

Originally Posted by Pete F.

Since you are just starting I'd make molds out of maple, two pieces and bore the holes in between. You can make all sorts of sizes for short money.

i did this my first time out, last month, I used maple, but only one piece, not 2 joined. the weights knocked out onto floor w/ a little help.... crude but effective. drilled holes, by guess-timate, for different sized bellys. (they weighed out to be 2gm thru 14gm.) borrowed buddy's melting pot, got out my old lead fishing weights and poured away for a day! very happy with results and the plugs swim beautifully!

[gone fishin]

Eric - Plaster of Paris fatigues quickly. I use bondo and if you don't push the pouring you can get good results. Be sure to soot up the mold before pouring. Not good for mass producing tins. If you are going to do lots, a do-it blank and custom machining is the way to go.

[Eric Roach]

Thanks, gents' -- all good information. I'll start with some cherry.