Dipping Alox

[Ranch Dog]

Hey fellows,

My trial molds for the TLC359-190-RF arrived so I was anxious to cast! I thought I would also go ahead and time the various steps to see just how long the process takes. Not that any of this is a timed event , as I normally won't even start casting if I'm pressed for time as I make too many mistakes.

Again here are my steps in applying the Alox:

• First, extremely light tumbled  coat of Alox
• Install the gas checks
• Alox dip coat
• Pass through sizer

I had cast 425 bullets, here is what each operation took:

• #1  :31
• #2 1:10
• #3  :49
• #4  :39

Installing the gas checks is common to any application (:18/100) so here is what the time looks like per/100 bullets (times above divided by 4):

• #1 :08
• #3 :12
• #4  :10

For any comparison purposes, the total time involved in appling two coats of Alox and seating the checks while sizing the bullets with the Lee sizer would be about :30/100. Again, this wasn't a horse race. I enjoy this work or I would be out buying jacketed bullets. Your times might vary. I took several phone calls, talked with my wife, petted the dog, etc. while timing these events.

The first coat dried two hours and the second coat 4 hours. I completed my entire casting event in one day (I didn't time the casting). I hope you don't mind some pictures...


First coat has been squirted on the bullet. Notice that it is so little you can barely see it.


This picture is to emphasis just how little Alox should be used on that first coat. The wax residue in the middle of the sheet of paper is where I've dumped 425 bullets in 31 minutes. That spot is tacky, not wet. I've used very little Alox at this point.


For the second and final coat, I use Alox that I purchased through Lar45's LsStuff who is a member here on Cast Boolits. I use it because of the volume of Alox I consume. It is no different than that purchased through Lee Precision. The 32 oz. bottle is heating up in a sink of hot water to make it flow better.


The small "Jell-O" bowl I use for the dip.


The bullets have been dipped and now are sitting on their base. This bullet has enough nose that I could grap it with my fingers; no tools needed. The Alox is flowing off the bullets onto the paper but it will be recovered.


It has taken me 49 minutes to dip all 425 bullets. I have picked the first dipped bullet up for this photo. The Alox has set up and formed it's coat around the base of the bullet. The bullet base is actually pretty free of Alox from resting on the paper.


I've gone ahead and moved the bullets out of the rows so that I can recover the Alox. The bullets will dry four hours in this position. Notice the excess Alox on the paper.


I've started to recover the Alox and let it flow back into the bottle. I use a putty knife to scrape up the row of excess Alox.


Notice the paper. Every bit of the excess Alox has been recovered. I used two Jello-O cups (4 oz. ea.) of Alox to dip these 425 bullets and returned one cup!

Information added 04/10/08

Someone suggested using a coat of mica to keep the bullets from being sticky in storage or while handling. Works like a charm. I even figured out how to apply it... right into the bullet storage container that comes with the Lee Lube and Size Kit!


When the container gets to the point of being full, I add a scoop of mica...


and then roll the container on my bench surface. This provides a complete coating and a little goes a long way!

[VTDW]

Michael,

This would also be a great permanent Sticky in the Casting Forum.  Good stuff.

Dave

[Ranch Dog]

This would also be a great permanent Sticky in the Casting Forum.  Good stuff.

Oh yeah, I still forget that I'm changing the newpaper in the bottom of the cage over there :wink:

[VTDW]

:mrgreen:  :mrgreen:

[6pt-sika]

I think I'll try this method with the 30 cal 165's . I already have a Lee sizer for them , that is still NIB  :wink:

How much of that stuff gets under the gas check ?

Also how much is left on the nose after the entire sequence ?

[6pt-sika]

I just ordered a 460 and 432 set .

Are you going to have Lee sets for the 379 and 359 ?

[Ranch Dog]

6pt... The sizers are on the way! The .359" and .379" are cataloged sizes and you can actually buy them cheaper through MidwayUSA, Boses, etc. than I can get them from Lee.

[Ranch Dog]

I think I'll try this method with the 30 cal 165's . I already have a Lee sizer for them , that is still NIB  :wink:

How much of that stuff gets under the gas check ?

Also how much is left on the nose after the entire sequence ?

If you do it like I do in the sequence above, there is very little on the base of the bullet. You can snap the checks on before you tumble. You will knock some off while they rattle around.

Take a look at the last picture, there is very little on the nose of the bullets. Keep an old rag near by and wipe the entry end of the sizing die on a regular basis.

[6pt-sika]

I got a 2008 Lee catalog yesterday and it doesn't show sizers in .359 or .379 !
Also tried midwayusa and again had no luck !

[Ranch Dog]

I guess I had special order those sizers. Oh well, my inventory will grow another couple thousand bucks! They will be available when the molds are in inventory. At least they do have the .311" and .323" kits...

[6pt-sika]

Oh well, my inventory will grow another couple thousand bucks!

I think every time I get another caliber rifle mine grows that amount ! And thats just for ME  :shock:

I think soon I should consider seeking professional help with this ailment   :lol:

[762cavalier]

Just a couple of quick questions.

After you seat the gas check by hand and dip them, is that when you run them through the sizer?

If so  do you need to lube them after sizing like the Lee alox bottle says or are you done?

[Ranch Dog]

After you seat the gas check by hand and dip them, is that when you run them through the sizer?

Yes. After the hand dip and when the lube has setup and dried, I size them which also seats the gas checks.

If so  do you need to lube them after sizing like the Lee alox bottle says or are you done?

I don't re-lube them. The lube grooves are full of Alox.

[Swamp Rat]

As I was reading your post questions kept poping in my head as i am new to casting. My thanks to everyone as yall asked the questions I was wondering about, with just one left over:

As you size the boolits all the excess alox is left behind on th feed side of the sizer, is this recycled like the excess from the paper? and I presume you thin it to reincorprate it in the jug.

Can't wait for the arrival of 358-190!!

[Ranch Dog]

Surprising, there is very little left on the entry side of the sizing die. I wipe it off on to a rag and use that rag wipe down just about anything metal.