Hello all,

Just getting into casting. Don't have the molds yet, just getting my lead scrounged up. I now have about 500 lbs of WW to melt. I'm planning on using my turkey fryer buner and a 4 quart cast iron dutch oven. I just got a pound of Brownell Marvaflux and stole one of wifes muffin tins.

My plan is to melt down the WW and cast into ingots. When I'm ready to start casting I'll add the necessary tin. My main question, at this time, is there any homemade mold release I can use on the steel muffin tins? I plan to get some commercial stuff when I order my molds, but I currently have nothing.

BABore, I've never had the need to use a release agent when making ingots from muffin tins, or molds for that matter. Just make sure the individual compartments are void of any dents, as that was the only time I ever had a lead muffin stick in the pan. When the pan is flipped over, your ingots will drop right out. As for adding tin to your mix, I've never had to do that either. Been melting down WW and sending them down range for 15 years now with much satisfaction, and have never looked back. Enjoy your new found hobby, my friend. The rewards are endless and the satisfaction most inspiring.

Let us know how things work out. In no time, you'll not want to foul or contaminate your favorite shooting pieces with jacketed bullets again ;) Good luck and enjoy, Jeff

Hello all,

Just getting into casting. Don't have the molds yet, just getting my lead scrounged up. I now have about 500 lbs of WW to melt. I'm planning on using my turkey fryer buner and a 4 quart cast iron dutch oven. I just got a pound of Brownell Marvaflux and stole one of wifes muffin tins.

My plan is to melt down the WW and cast into ingots. When I'm ready to start casting I'll add the necessary tin. My main question, at this time, is there any homemade mold release I can use on the steel muffin tins? I plan to get some commercial stuff when I order my molds, but I currently have nothing.
I sent you a pm Forest punch

BaBore, if you're not in a hurry to get your casting equipment right away, there is a lot of used gear for sale on ebay. My setup consists of maybe 80% ebay purchases that are all name brands. Just be sure what condition it's in and ask questions if an accurate description is not provided. So far, I have been satisfied with my ebay purchases and feel that the savings are there. I am NOT associated with ebay in any way and am only passing this along for your consideration. I really enjoy bullet casting and I hope you will too.

I found an older cast iron muffin pan in a 2nd hand store and it works great. I put a piece of plywood down to dump them out on after it is solidifying but still hot. Never had any stick.

Ditch the Marvelux, use simple sawdust or powdered charcoal, stuff for fish aquariums should work well. Marvelux attracts moisture, water, whihc contains oxygen, the great enemy.

What JohnH said, "Ditch the Marvelux."

I also use ash from the wood stove to cover the melt while casting. Another good fluxing agent is plain ole parrafin or old candles - just large pea size piece helps burn off organics on the surface.

As far as iron muffin moulds, just make sure they are clean. I also use aluminium muffin moulds, but ocassionally I will give them a shot of mould release agent, as they dump a little easier that way since they tend to get a little beat up.

Don't forget your safety glasses. sundog

What JohnH said, "Ditch the
Marvelux."Do not remove Marvelux from the alloy while it is still bubbling, wet, and gray colored. Wait until it has turned black and is no longer active. Removed at this time, it will cool and harden quickly. Removing it in the gray state can cause spills on the furnace which will attract water and cause rust once the furnace cools down. Check your stirring ladle before putting it into the furnace. On damp days ie. following rain, the ladle may be coated with Marvelux and attracting water. It's not fun to hear your alloy sizzle when you dunk your ladle. Switch to another form of flux. It's much safer and cleaner.

Just smoke the mold with a lighter or candle.

Michael Grace

Best not to use any bakeware that was teflon coated. At lead temperatures it can decompose, and release very toxic fumes ( even more toxic than the lead & antimony ). E.g. Hydrogen Fluoride ( hydrofluoric acid ).