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  • Re: Is there anything that keeps molten lead from sticking to metal?

    From Clyde@21:1/5 to All on Wed Jan 8 16:00:03 2025
    I have successfully used a light dusting of flour for large scuba weights and fishing jigs. I don't use it for bullets or anything with precision tolerances though

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  • From Bob La Londe@21:1/5 to Clyde on Wed Jan 8 12:35:31 2025
    On 1/8/2025 9:00 AM, Clyde wrote:
    I have successfully used a light dusting of flour for large scuba
    weights and fishing jigs. I don't use it for bullets or anything with precision tolerances though


    Graphite spray if you just need a mold release, but typically lead
    doesn't stick to most common mold alloys anyway. Tin, pewter, and some
    other common casting alloys can stick.

    Flour is a new one for me, but it could work as well as talcum powder.
    The advantage these are used for is not as a mold release, but because
    the fine particles break up the surface tension of the molten metal and
    allow it to flow out better. Talcum powder often works so well that a
    mold that was experience incomplete pours starts to flash a little if
    the tolerances aren't good. I guess flower shouldn't a surprise. I
    have had one customer tell me they use corn starch for the same purpose.

    Now, if you mean for soldering applications, I think I would mask, spray
    with graphite, and then remove masking before carefully applying flux,
    but that's a little beyond my skill/knowledge set.

    Yes, I am aware this is a twenty year old ZOMBIE THREAD.

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    Bob La Londe
    CNC Molds N Stuff

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  • From Gerry@21:1/5 to All on Wed Jan 8 23:47:30 2025
    On Wed, 8 Jan 2025 12:35:31 -0700, Bob La Londe <none@none.com99>
    wrote:

    On 1/8/2025 9:00 AM, Clyde wrote:
    I have successfully used a light dusting of flour for large scuba
    weights and fishing jigs. I don't use it for bullets or anything with
    precision tolerances though


    Graphite spray if you just need a mold release, but typically lead
    doesn't stick to most common mold alloys anyway. Tin, pewter, and some
    other common casting alloys can stick.

    Flour is a new one for me, but it could work as well as talcum powder.
    The advantage these are used for is not as a mold release, but because
    the fine particles break up the surface tension of the molten metal and
    allow it to flow out better. Talcum powder often works so well that a
    mold that was experience incomplete pours starts to flash a little if
    the tolerances aren't good. I guess flower shouldn't a surprise. I
    have had one customer tell me they use corn starch for the same purpose.

    Now, if you mean for soldering applications, I think I would mask, spray
    with graphite, and then remove masking before carefully applying flux,
    but that's a little beyond my skill/knowledge set.

    Yes, I am aware this is a twenty year old ZOMBIE THREAD.

    --
    Bob La Londe
    CNC Molds N Stuff
    I use correction fluid to prevent the flow of silver solder into areas
    where I don't want it - ie the threaded ring of a female hose
    connection - just paint it on and work it into joint.

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