Making some wax slugs…
Started melting everything in a double boiler type of setup…
Added some lead shot, and realised that I don’t actually need a double boiler due to high flashing point of paraffin.
…also realised that I don’t need lead in the house, so moved to the BBQ outside. While paraffin has a high flashing point, it’s still not advisable to melt it on an open flame. I used a grill plate on my (outside) BBQ.
Lead fumes are never good either, so doing this outside is the safest and healthiest way to do it.
Starting to work
Work in progress
Had to work fast, to prevent cooling, I had to reheat a few times. This is what it looks like when paraffine starts cooling. At this stage, stop and reheat or it won’t set well.
Overflow, where paraffin has set and I topped it up with cooler paraffin. This doesn’t bond and will set in layers. When you touch it - the top layer will pop off, so one continuous pour…
What it looks like when there is not enough wax on top…
What it looks like when there is too much lead
The rest are a view of a pulled apart wax slug and rough weight. The weight worked out to be roughly similar to the Lee 7/8 slug mold.
Cup view 1
Cup view 2
Top view
Bottom view
Side view
Cross-section view
Weight
Note the paraffin streaks running down some hulls. This is not a big deal, just wipe/snap it off when everything cools. Paraffin melts at 37C, so wiping it with a rag will generate enough heat to soften it and remove it from the hull wall.
