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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Tracker
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Have you tried it without the airsoft BBs? You really don't need them, and it makes the process a lot simpler.
I don't bother standing each one up by itself either. Just dump them on a screen and bake. Literally shake - dump - bake, I never have to touch them until after they're baked.
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 21,317
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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I need to bend up some screens to hold them in. No I haven't tried it w/o bb's, that was my very first time powder coating.
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Campfire Tracker
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I just lay a flat piece of screen in the pan or tray. It's not critical, just something to keep them off the bottom. If it's a non-stick tray, you might not need it at all.
I'm just using the drip pan that came with the toaster oven.
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,321
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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I took Yondering's advice over the summer and dropped the bb's-- great improvement. It does make things a lot easier, and I still get good coverage.
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,154
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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I just lay a flat piece of screen in the pan or tray. It's not critical, just something to keep them off the bottom. If it's a non-stick tray, you might not need it at all.
I'm just using the drip pan that came with the toaster oven. Do you get flat spots where the bullets contact the screens, or do they come out smooth and round?
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Joined: Oct 2014
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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No, you end up with little pucker marks where they touch the screen, but it's not as pronounced as flat spots from laying on a pan. The marks don't seem to affect anything, and get smoothed out when you size them.
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Joined: May 2008
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Thanks. I've been meaning to try this, but I can't find the time. Anything I can do to speed up the process sure helps.
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,378
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2009
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No beads - bullets are tumbled in a RCBS sidewinder tumbler. I simply shake off the excess powder coat powder in a colander and dump them out on to non-stick aluminum foil. I just make sure that the bullets are not stacked on top of each other (single layer) and bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes.
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Joined: Oct 2014
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Campfire Tracker
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You can probably ditch the tumbler and colander too if you want. I use plastic yogurt tubs, and shake by hand for about 20 seconds. I try not to put in enough powder to have much excess.
I haven't tried aluminum foil. Does it work pretty well for you?
Last edited by Yondering; 12/19/15.
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Joined: May 2009
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,378 |
The non-stick foil works great. I use it for four of five batches and then replace. Just make sure the dull side is up.
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 39,301
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 39,301 |
Non stick is the way to go!
The first time I shot myself in the head...
Meniere's Sucks Big Time!!!
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Joined: Aug 2002
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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does one color work better than others ? how does accuracy compare to alox type lube ?
Ed
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Joined: Oct 2008
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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You guys have finally piqued my interest on this. Assuming this is just run of the mill powder coat you get at harbor freight or likewise?
What are you guys doing for sizing? Lee push-thrus? What about guns that do better with oversized bullets? One of my .44s does best with .434" bullets.
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Harbor freight,powder by the pound, size with Lee or Star. Ronnie
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Campfire Tracker
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No, don't use the Harbor Freight powder; it's crap compared to the good stuff. Most of the people who say the shake n bake method doesn't work or needs BB's, tumblers, etc are using junk powder like Harbor Freight.
Don't assume just any old powder works. Personally I've used at least 10 different powders, and every one acts different, even just different colors of the same brand. My personal favorite for good coverage, toughness, and easy coating is still the RAL 6001 Yellow Green from Powder Buy The Pound.
Size with push through Lee-style dies, but polish inside the die. Or use custom dies that several members on castboolits sell.
If your gun likes larger bullets, stick with that for powder coating too. Coat first, then size.
Last edited by Yondering; 12/22/15.
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Campfire Tracker
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I appreciate the info on the powder. After posting my question I did some reading last night on the Castboolits forum. I will definitely be dipping my toe in shake-n-bake powder coating after the holiday.
I also found where NOE has a push-through die body that accepts body bushings of whatever size you need. Pretty slick setup that would definitely work for a few of my oddballs. The die body is ~$40 and the bushings were about $9 or $10 each. I will definitely have to give this a shot.
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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The powder I used is sold by smoke on castboolits. The shipping is more reasonable when ordering two pounds
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Campfire Tracker
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The powder I used is sold by smoke on castboolits. The shipping is more reasonable when ordering two pounds Yep. Looked him up and did some more research. Going to order some Jet Black from him and give it a shot next week. I just cast up a bunch of RCBS 45-201 SWCs and 44-250Ks Saturday in anticipation.
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