Where's the price list?
Go to "Shop Products", then "Configure and Price a Mold". Once you've entered the caliber, you will see the price of all applicable mold options. For the total including shipping, continue the order form and enter your address. You'll see the grand total.
Does a custom design cost extra?
No, all orders are considered custom, since you can choose the diameter. Other changes such as different nose length, changed weight, or a whole new profile are all the same price as any cataloged design of that caliber.
What about handles?
My molds are designed to accept Lee six cavity or RCBS handles. I do not make or sell handles.
Do you combine shipping charge for multiple items?
Yes. The shipping price is shown in your shopping cart.
Do you discount for multiple, identical molds?
Yes. The discount will be shown in your shopping cart.
What are some of the properties of the different mold metals?
2024 Aluminum is very durable, light weight, and inexpensive. Its propensity to change temperature quickly is seen by some as a disadvantage, since molds produce their best bullets within a narrow temperature sweet spot.
Ductile Iron is the most durable of the commonly used mold metals. It is easier to maintain a more consistent temperature. It is lighter weight than brass and heavier than aluminum. Its biggest disadvantage is propensity to rust. Iron is rough on delicate boring tools, and thus it is the most expensive.
360 Brass is a bit heavier than iron, and costs less because of ease of machining. It maintains temperature very well, and cavities machine mirror bright. Some see its weight as a disadvantage.
Sprew plates and hardware are carbon steel.
My favorite for my own casting is aluminum.
I see two block size choices for a multi-cavity mold. Why?
Extra large blocks are handy for big, heavy bullets. Having more metal, they maintain better temperature stability.
Why does the order form require that I select a casting alloy?
In order to produce the requested bullet diameter, I need to know how much tin is in the alloy. All applicable alloys shrink as they solidify. The more tin, the less shrinkage. The alloy choices in the drop down menu are listed in order of expected shrinkage, from greatest to least. If you intend to use varied alloys, choose the most appropriate one that's highest on the list, so that other alloys with more tin will be a bit larger.
Can you make round ball molds?
No
Do you make hollow point molds?
Not yet.
Can I have a sprew plate with pour holes that are larger, smaller, or different bevel?
I offer an optional sprew plate with the pour holes located and started but not finished. You may finish the holes yourself to whatever configuration you'd like. When ordering a mold, you can request this type of plate using "special notes".
Can you cut different designs within the same block?
Yes, each additional design adds $15 to the price of the mold.
Will you supply mold block blanks without cavities?
Yes. E-mail me for prices.
I'll be sizing to .432". What diameter should I order?
I recommend ordering .432". Since my diameter tolerance is +.0015", -.0000", your bullet will be large enough to fully engage the sizing die.
I want an "as cast" diameter as close as I can get to .3215".
Using "Special Notes" on the online order form, you can refine your diameter request for bore ride, body diameter, whatever, to the 4th decimal place. I use a diameter variance tolerance window of .0015". You can request that the tolerance window for a feature be positive (+.0015", -.000), negative (+.000,-.0015), or centered (+-.00075). Ordering to the half thousandth does not insure precision to the half thousandth, it only helps you communicate the desired diameter range within that .0015" window.
In other words, if you want your bore ride nose diameter to cast between .3005" and .299", just tell me so. I cannot offer a smaller tolerance window because of the variables involved in the casting process.
What's the best bullet design for my double barreled 8.3 x 79mm Napstick Needlehammer?
The best bullet is always the one that fits the best. You must take the appropriate measurements.
Why won't you respond to my e-mails?
I make it a point to respond to all e-mails within 48 hours. If you have not received a response, first make sure you have used the correct address to reach me. Then make sure I'm on your e-mail client's no-block list. Some programs will flag unrecognized traffic as spam.
Can we talk on the phone?
Why? After 35 years of being around loud machinery and guns, all my cell phone conversations are "Huh? What did you say?". I am very responsive to e-mail, and it's far more effective since I can send you proposed design drawings and you can send photos and such.