deershooter Posted May 15, 2014 Report Share Posted May 15, 2014 I have decided to rekindle my interest in shotmaking ,in the past it has been by gas heating now it's time to go electric . I have collected all the components ie digital temp controller k type thermocouple relays, switches power connectors , cartridge element heaters. I have a large lump of aluminium bar 100mm x 50mm x 600 long which I can get a pan made from by Cnc milling ,the big question is do I try the no ramp method like FES used and drop the shot directly in to the coolant Has any one seen the FES shot maker in action, all reference to it has now been removed from their website ? Or has any one made a shot maker like this please advise. Deershooter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitsinhedges Posted May 15, 2014 Report Share Posted May 15, 2014 Ring John and ask him. I've always found him very helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acid House Posted May 15, 2014 Report Share Posted May 15, 2014 Just done the very same thing. I am undecided on pan material as yet. I like the idea of alli but may go with steel. I think the ramp is for me. I just think it is a little easier to set up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cookoff013 Posted May 16, 2014 Report Share Posted May 16, 2014 Ring John and ask him. I've always found him very helpful. +1 yep, he`s a helpful guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old farrier Posted May 16, 2014 Report Share Posted May 16, 2014 Hi Just a quick question I'm struggling to get Linotype can someone advise me on a similar metal that can be used I have a lot of anodes off boats mostly zinc i think Is that any use Or a source for Linotype Many thanks Of Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted May 16, 2014 Report Share Posted May 16, 2014 How about some solder with tin in it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted May 16, 2014 Report Share Posted May 16, 2014 http://buycopper.co.uk/one%20kilo%20tin%20bar.html U. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old farrier Posted May 16, 2014 Report Share Posted May 16, 2014 Thank yo very much that will help me move forward Had been using salvaged 22 heads but I've run out All the best Of Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
super sharp shooter Posted May 17, 2014 Report Share Posted May 17, 2014 http://buycopper.co.uk/one%20kilo%20tin%20bar.html U. Just what I've been looking for. Am I right in thinking I would need my shot with 5% tin in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitsinhedges Posted May 17, 2014 Report Share Posted May 17, 2014 Just what I've been looking for. Am I right in thinking I would need my shot with 5% tin in it. Tin is useful to fill bullet moulds and will make shot pellets out of round by making the surface tension of the molten pellet collapse. Factory shot does not usually contain tin by choice for that reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted May 17, 2014 Report Share Posted May 17, 2014 Others know more than me that's for sure, I just know tin is ok for bullets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitsinhedges Posted May 17, 2014 Report Share Posted May 17, 2014 Tin is also present in linotype for the same reason as it is in bullet lead, it helps fill out the mould and give a good impression for the type face it produces but I believe it for shotmaking it has the opposite effect to the usual inclusion of arsenic which increases the surface tension of the alloy making the pellets more round than they otherwise might be. That said, anything is worth a try it may produce a better product than expected. Is plumbing solder just tin now they've banned lead from water pipes??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted May 17, 2014 Report Share Posted May 17, 2014 Tin is also present in linotype for the same reason as it is in bullet lead, it helps fill out the mould and give a good impression for the type face it produces but I believe it for shotmaking it has the opposite effect to the usual inclusion of arsenic which increases the surface tension of the alloy making the pellets more round than they otherwise might be. That said, anything is worth a try it may produce a better product than expected. Is plumbing solder just tin now they've banned lead from water pipes??? Is it absolutely crucial the lead is perfectly round Sir? I remember Winchesters shot years ago being teardrop shaped! I have made very poor shot but it worked on close birds. I was given some reloads once many years ago and they were mustard on crows from my first al48, I decided to cut one open to look at the shot for a size check. It was all shapes and sizes, and soft! They worked though! I can understand miss shaped pellets wanting to steer off, however it may not happen much this side of 40yds! What yerr'reckon? U. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitsinhedges Posted May 17, 2014 Report Share Posted May 17, 2014 Is it absolutely crucial the lead is perfectly round Sir? I remember Winchesters shot years ago being teardrop shaped! I have made very poor shot but it worked on close birds. I was given some reloads once many years ago and they were mustard on crows from my first al48, I decided to cut one open to look at the shot for a size check. It was all shapes and sizes, and soft! They worked though! I can understand miss shaped pellets wanting to steer off, however it may not happen much this side of 40yds! What yerr'reckon? U. I don't believe it is absolutely crucial and my shot whilst good isn't perfect yet it kills at least as well as any factory cartridge, it is very hard though so probably isn't going to deform further when fired. Nevertheless if we're going to bother we should at least try and make it as good as we can. It's interesting that for linotype at least they also feel the need to add 12% or more antimony to the mix along with the few % of tin to make it hard enough for its purpose. Why would they do this if the correct hardness could be achieved with tin alone? Tin would be much easier to add but if it were that simple they would be doing it already I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deershooter Posted May 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2014 Linotype has antimony in it so that it expanded in the cooling process and filled out the mould leaving sharp lettering which was hard with no voids Deershooter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted May 18, 2014 Report Share Posted May 18, 2014 I don't believe it is absolutely crucial and my shot whilst good isn't perfect yet it kills at least as well as any factory cartridge, it is very hard though so probably isn't going to deform further when fired. Nevertheless if we're going to bother we should at least try and make it as good as we can. It's interesting that for linotype at least they also feel the need to add 12% or more antimony to the mix along with the few % of tin to make it hard enough for its purpose. Why would they do this if the correct hardness could be achieved with tin alone? Tin would be much easier to add but if it were that simple they would be doing it already I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deershooter Posted May 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2014 Well it's taken a couple of weeks to source all the components but here are the loose parts ready for assembly this next week . As I now don't work in an engineering factory you don't realise how you missed the facility .I need to get a sheet of aluminium cut for a base plate for the control box ,I have the material but will have to go to a local engineering firm tomorrow to get it cut . I have decided to have a temperature gauge and a circulation pump in the coolant tank but will not be using fabric softener .i will enlighten every one on what I am using at a later date . The pan will be heated with a cartridge heating element and have no ramp , the small power supply is to run the temp gauge and the circulating pump .The cartridge heating element will be controlled by the digital controller through a solid state relay with a K type thermocouple measuring the temp I will update as it goes along Deershooter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deershooter Posted May 31, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2014 Just been talking to john from Folkestone engineering on email wow what a system I now know why his system was so expensive what a helpfull bloke I would have ended up with £300 worth of scrap Deershooter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biketestace Posted June 1, 2014 Report Share Posted June 1, 2014 Well tell us what you have learned then ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deershooter Posted June 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2014 (edited) Take a look at Folkestone engineering website all will be revealed top man John he has been a real star cannot thank him enough Deershooter Edited June 2, 2014 by deershooter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
super sharp shooter Posted June 3, 2014 Report Share Posted June 3, 2014 Thats impressive.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fruitloop Posted June 6, 2014 Report Share Posted June 6, 2014 how you getting on with the new unit ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deershooter Posted June 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 6, 2014 Didn't get much done this week I have been machining bushes for another forum member he wanted 20 and a MEC to PW bush adaptor so will continue this week end Deershooter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deershooter Posted June 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2014 Finally got the panel cut out and everything fitted in this morning will continue to keep everyone updated as it goes along Fitting the baseplate this afternoon in the panel which will hold the SSR ,Transformer ,terminal strips Deershooter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deershooter Posted June 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2014 Finished the base plate tonight ,just the back panel to cut out for the mains power socket ,heating element socket , circulation pump and temp socket ,fuse holder . I originally wanted every thing on plugs and sockets so it was easy to pack away but apparently the K type thermocouple is wired in compensating cable which I have been told you have to use in the length it comes in ,you can not shorten it or terminate it Is there any one with more info on these thermocouples this is the first time I have used one ? Won't get much done tomorrow as I am out clay shooting should get on to the wiring Thursday Deershooter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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