Wash my mouth out with soap! James Stewart has just replied this minute with details of drippers, he will ship to the UK and will accept paypal. What a guy! Top Man! $30 a set plus just $15 shipping.
Thanks, yes it is helpful. A side pic would be great my email graysclassics@sky.com I havent had a reply from Littleton, Jim Stuart or Magma engineering regarding drippers - they all just ignore requests for ordering them! Seems like shipping to the UK is too much hassle these days with all the forms to be filled in, no one can be bothered. I may design my own as I have an idea which should work. Thanks again
Yes Greg, completely from scratch. We cant get these in the UK at all. It costs the equivalent of $800 to get one shipped over if you can find anyone that can be bothered! It is hard enough to get any of the manufacturers to ship the dripper sets.. but they are not worth making at the price so I will keep trying with the drippers... thanks pal. Gordon
Wow, that seems outrageous freight. I took some measurements let's see if I can describe it for you. First of all when the unit is down in operating position the bottom of the pan is at 20 deg. from level. "The upward face where the drippers are mounted are at 110 deg. from the bottom of the pan, then the lip is 95 deg. from the face. Bottom of the pan to the lip face is 205 deg. total. Hope that makes sense, I could send a side profile picture if you care to provide an email address.
Hi, Would you be kind enough to email me some measurements of the pan? I guess the angle between the dripper face and the lip/ramp is critical and the size of the ramp also? Thanks Gordon graysclassics@sky.com
Gordon, I would be happy to, just arrived home from working late. I'll take those measurements and get them to you tomorrow. Curious, are you constructing one from a blank?
Can the detergent be used to wash dishes after it is used to cool lead? I have about a ton of lead I want to process and then be done for a while. FYI We got permission to pick up unbroken clays at a country club. We got about 1100 in an hour of work for two of my boys and I. More savings means more shooting.
@garywhall I suppose it could, never thought about it. I only use small amounts and haven't worried about reusing it. I seal it up in the jugs it came in for later use. It still looks okay, I don't know if it picks up any residue though.
We've picked up unbroken clays and ran them back through the machines, some guys don't think we should do it because you get more breakage with the used ones, but for others it makes good cents.
Keep me posted, curious how it works out. Help if I can.
@garywhall I don't think I'd wash the dishes I eat from w/ detergent that has been exposed to lead. Maybe the detergent picks up zero lead, or maybe it would all get rinsed away but why take a chance with your health?
Have you heard of anyone using used motor oil for coolant? I got a 47 gallon water tight stainless steel kennel that a pet store threw away. I plan to use it to hold my coolant. As you can tell I'm trying to do this on the cheap. I have 9 kids, they all love to shoot. It's hard to stay ahead of them. Do you know how far the lead travels through the coolant before it solidifies? I can cut down the tank if needed. But it does have about 15 sq feet of surface area to radiate heat away.
Gary is it? I have not heard of motor specifically but I have tried water soluble oil that machinists use. The problem is getting the oil off the lead, water soluble oil isn't bad but then you have to use detergent to get any oil off the lead, so the liquid detergent works best plus you don't have to use anything but water to get the lead clean and free of oils. My tank only holds about 2 gallons and is not over 12 inches deep, I figure the lead is solid in a couple inches.
@garywhall The type and viscosity of the coolant is critical so the droplets don't splatter or pop when they land in the coolant. Yes, it does splash some, I can drop about 75 lbs. before I have to stop the process, drain the tank and clean up before I start again.
@garywhall Soapstone comes in a stick and welders use it to mark steel as it does not interfere with the welds or cutting steel with a torch. It helps on the edge of my shotmaker be slick so the lead drops don't stick.. You can get it at welding supply stores.
I'm building my own shot maker. I'm using a tube with holes at the bottom to deliver the liquid lead. Could you tell me what metal the droplets roll down. I used stainless steel and that did not work.
The whole heating tray and drip lip are one piece aluminum. The lip is polished and is coated with soapstone before each use to prevent the lead from sticking.
@EccentricInTexas I have had mine for years, I believe they are about $350 new, but you need lots of things to go with it. Probably not worth it for 200 lbs. Reply if you want to know more.
@EccentricInTexas I have had mine for years, I believe they are about $350 new, but you need lots of things to go with it. Probably not worth it for 200 lbs. Reply if you want to know more.
@EccentricInTexas I have had mine for years, I believe they are about $350 new, but you need lots of things to go with it. Probably not worth it for 200 lbs. Reply if you want to know more.
Me two questions interest. I not absolutely understand, what you use instead of water? I know use an anti-frieze automobile? As it is possible to use engine oil? And here soap water but as it turns out not absolutely clearly is mentioned. Soap water - will turn out if to use usual water and to add in it a washing-up liquid for ware? Or it is already separate ready product?
The second question. Distance from edge Shotmaker prior to the beginning of water. About 1 inch will be enough?
i live in the uk and want to start making my own lead shot for reloading.i have trawled the internet for omeof these and cant find one. do you know where i could get one in the states and how much it costs?
I bet if you add some sort of vibration to your shot maker there ruizermandextrustfi .Maybey some sort of small hammer that taps your melting pan. You could maybe try it your self by gently hitting the melting pan. ??...good luck
I've just started using a littleton shot maker, I'm using an ammo can, about 6" tall. I think I'm going to make a 3' tower, and I'm using 50/50 anti freeze, any comments or suggestions
I ended up using liquid detergent because anything you use will have to be washed off, why not just wash off the soap rather than add another step of washing off anti-freeze. Not sure what you intend to do with a tower, a littleton shotmaker is designed for the very minimum shot fall to coolant distance.
I'm frustrated with my shotmaker right now; my drippers (shot #9) stop working and only can do 1 lb per hour, very frustrating and disappointing. Only GOD is my witness that I've tried everything to prevent clogging without success, maybe I'm condemned to keep buying the shot. That stupid machine cost me $500.00 + S/H and doesnt work properly. Please any suggestion to prevent the clog?
I'll help if I can, from my experience if the lead is not hot enough they will just stop dripping. Since lead is heavy and the slag usually floats, I don't have too much trouble with them actually plugging. I have heard that these 120 volt units just don't quite get hot enough. Do you have a way to get some additional heat to it to test if it is a tempurature problem? I use a propane torch sometimes to focus some heat right on the drippers. Also, try tapping on the side of the tray.
hi from my experience #9 its difficult it takes lots of heat and also ur lead has to be very clean the holes r very small and any little dirt can clog up the drippers and cause u to lose it mentaly the machine is a good machine if u use it properly i make 7.5 shot and it works beautiful all i have to do i just feed lead to it it doesnt need any maintanace any tapping why example when i clean my lead i flux it and stir it until the dirt comes up many people may do it different
Thanks for the advice, I figure it out what happened and now I made shots # 9 - # 7.5 without problems. The key to make good shots is a combination of choosing the right size of drippers (no matter what is stamped) a correct lead alloy and temp. (650* - 750* will do the job fine)
I work to keep the rate of flow as fast as you see in the video, however I have not put a stop watch to it. I count how many 1 1/2 lb ingots I put in in an hour.
Does the rate of drips decrease with your machine as you go along? Mine does and I need to keep the pool clean and free and quite often I need to rap on the machine and the rate of drips picks back up.
Yes, the drops keeps decresing over the time but once I clean the bowl the flow is back to normal. I'm just surprised you achieve 40-50 lbs per hour, congrats!
Not with this particular design, these Littleton Shotmakers are designed for the lead droplets to bounce off the lip of the machine and not much more than 1/4 inch to the coolant, more or less will cause the shot to be deformed. The coolant is critical as well. I heard where the old method had the lead droplets falling over 40 feet. I use scrap wheel weights mostly, it makes hard shot. It is very time consuming, only a hobby to supplement factory shot in skeet shooting. Thanks, Greg
Have you experimented with the height of the dropper above the coolant? I know that commercial shot is dropped from quite a height (taller the better) Which allows the shot to round out more, and cool slightly before it reaches the coolant. This makes more uniform shot.
Are you using scrap wheel weights or reclaimed lead?
What is the ratio of "ALL" to water? I have the same 6 nozzle machine, but can't decide what to use for the coolant. What size are you making and how many pounds per hour?
Using full strength except for when I remove shot from tank and have to top the tank off for the next batch. Have to be careful because too much water will deform the drops when they hit the coolant. So the next time I add fresh soap to the tank.
I make no. 9's for skeet. Probably makes 40-50 lbs an hour. After washing soap from shot I spread it out on a metal screen to dry then screen it for any deformed ones. Lastly, it goes in the vibrating tumbler to polish it and I add a little graphite
What is the ratio of "ALL" to water? I have the same 6 nozzle machine but I can't decide what to use for the coolant! What size are you making and how many lbs per hour?
Wash my mouth out with soap! James Stewart has just replied this minute with details of drippers, he will ship to the UK and will accept paypal. What a guy! Top Man! $30 a set plus just $15 shipping.
graysclassicsuk 10 months ago
Thanks, yes it is helpful. A side pic would be great my email graysclassics@sky.com I havent had a reply from Littleton, Jim Stuart or Magma engineering regarding drippers - they all just ignore requests for ordering them! Seems like shipping to the UK is too much hassle these days with all the forms to be filled in, no one can be bothered. I may design my own as I have an idea which should work. Thanks again
graysclassicsuk 10 months ago
Yes Greg, completely from scratch. We cant get these in the UK at all. It costs the equivalent of $800 to get one shipped over if you can find anyone that can be bothered! It is hard enough to get any of the manufacturers to ship the dripper sets.. but they are not worth making at the price so I will keep trying with the drippers... thanks pal. Gordon
graysclassicsuk 10 months ago
Wow, that seems outrageous freight. I took some measurements let's see if I can describe it for you. First of all when the unit is down in operating position the bottom of the pan is at 20 deg. from level. "The upward face where the drippers are mounted are at 110 deg. from the bottom of the pan, then the lip is 95 deg. from the face. Bottom of the pan to the lip face is 205 deg. total. Hope that makes sense, I could send a side profile picture if you care to provide an email address.
1Skeetman 10 months ago
Hi, Would you be kind enough to email me some measurements of the pan? I guess the angle between the dripper face and the lip/ramp is critical and the size of the ramp also? Thanks Gordon graysclassics@sky.com
graysclassicsuk 10 months ago
Gordon, I would be happy to, just arrived home from working late. I'll take those measurements and get them to you tomorrow. Curious, are you constructing one from a blank?
Greg
1Skeetman 10 months ago
Can the detergent be used to wash dishes after it is used to cool lead? I have about a ton of lead I want to process and then be done for a while. FYI We got permission to pick up unbroken clays at a country club. We got about 1100 in an hour of work for two of my boys and I. More savings means more shooting.
garywhall 1 year ago
@garywhall I suppose it could, never thought about it. I only use small amounts and haven't worried about reusing it. I seal it up in the jugs it came in for later use. It still looks okay, I don't know if it picks up any residue though.
We've picked up unbroken clays and ran them back through the machines, some guys don't think we should do it because you get more breakage with the used ones, but for others it makes good cents.
Keep me posted, curious how it works out. Help if I can.
1Skeetman 1 year ago
@garywhall I don't think I'd wash the dishes I eat from w/ detergent that has been exposed to lead. Maybe the detergent picks up zero lead, or maybe it would all get rinsed away but why take a chance with your health?
steveziv 1 year ago
Have you heard of anyone using used motor oil for coolant? I got a 47 gallon water tight stainless steel kennel that a pet store threw away. I plan to use it to hold my coolant. As you can tell I'm trying to do this on the cheap. I have 9 kids, they all love to shoot. It's hard to stay ahead of them. Do you know how far the lead travels through the coolant before it solidifies? I can cut down the tank if needed. But it does have about 15 sq feet of surface area to radiate heat away.
garywhall 1 year ago
Gary is it? I have not heard of motor specifically but I have tried water soluble oil that machinists use. The problem is getting the oil off the lead, water soluble oil isn't bad but then you have to use detergent to get any oil off the lead, so the liquid detergent works best plus you don't have to use anything but water to get the lead clean and free of oils. My tank only holds about 2 gallons and is not over 12 inches deep, I figure the lead is solid in a couple inches.
1Skeetman 1 year ago
Does coolant splash on the surface and interact with the rolling droplets?
garywhall 1 year ago
@garywhall The type and viscosity of the coolant is critical so the droplets don't splatter or pop when they land in the coolant. Yes, it does splash some, I can drop about 75 lbs. before I have to stop the process, drain the tank and clean up before I start again.
1Skeetman 1 year ago
What is soapstone?
garywhall 1 year ago
@garywhall Soapstone comes in a stick and welders use it to mark steel as it does not interfere with the welds or cutting steel with a torch. It helps on the edge of my shotmaker be slick so the lead drops don't stick.. You can get it at welding supply stores.
1Skeetman 1 year ago
I'm building my own shot maker. I'm using a tube with holes at the bottom to deliver the liquid lead. Could you tell me what metal the droplets roll down. I used stainless steel and that did not work.
garywhall 1 year ago
The whole heating tray and drip lip are one piece aluminum. The lip is polished and is coated with soapstone before each use to prevent the lead from sticking.
1Skeetman 1 year ago
How much did you pay for the maker. I have about 200 pounds of lead and need to find something to do with it.
EccentricInTexas 1 year ago
@EccentricInTexas I have had mine for years, I believe they are about $350 new, but you need lots of things to go with it. Probably not worth it for 200 lbs. Reply if you want to know more.
1Skeetman 1 year ago
@EccentricInTexas I have had mine for years, I believe they are about $350 new, but you need lots of things to go with it. Probably not worth it for 200 lbs. Reply if you want to know more.
1Skeetman 1 year ago
@EccentricInTexas I have had mine for years, I believe they are about $350 new, but you need lots of things to go with it. Probably not worth it for 200 lbs. Reply if you want to know more.
1Skeetman 1 year ago
Me two questions interest. I not absolutely understand, what you use instead of water? I know use an anti-frieze automobile? As it is possible to use engine oil? And here soap water but as it turns out not absolutely clearly is mentioned. Soap water - will turn out if to use usual water and to add in it a washing-up liquid for ware? Or it is already separate ready product?
The second question. Distance from edge Shotmaker prior to the beginning of water. About 1 inch will be enough?
ourteamukr 1 year ago
hi there.
i live in the uk and want to start making my own lead shot for reloading.i have trawled the internet for omeof these and cant find one. do you know where i could get one in the states and how much it costs?
thanks
rcooke25552 1 year ago
hi there were can hi by one them for ne litton shotmaker from hi live in the uk how much r u pay in the us let me no yhank
pain548 1 year ago
I bet if you add some sort of vibration to your shot maker there ruizermandextrustfi .Maybey some sort of small hammer that taps your melting pan. You could maybe try it your self by gently hitting the melting pan. ??...good luck
3xut 1 year ago
I've just started using a littleton shot maker, I'm using an ammo can, about 6" tall. I think I'm going to make a 3' tower, and I'm using 50/50 anti freeze, any comments or suggestions
dellstinksbigtime 1 year ago
I ended up using liquid detergent because anything you use will have to be washed off, why not just wash off the soap rather than add another step of washing off anti-freeze. Not sure what you intend to do with a tower, a littleton shotmaker is designed for the very minimum shot fall to coolant distance.
1Skeetman 1 year ago
I use Liquid 'All' detergent full strength. I've tried water soluable oil and anti-freeze but the detergent seems to work best for me.
1Skeetman 2 years ago
I'm frustrated with my shotmaker right now; my drippers (shot #9) stop working and only can do 1 lb per hour, very frustrating and disappointing. Only GOD is my witness that I've tried everything to prevent clogging without success, maybe I'm condemned to keep buying the shot. That stupid machine cost me $500.00 + S/H and doesnt work properly. Please any suggestion to prevent the clog?
ruizhernandeztrustfi 2 years ago
I'll help if I can, from my experience if the lead is not hot enough they will just stop dripping. Since lead is heavy and the slag usually floats, I don't have too much trouble with them actually plugging. I have heard that these 120 volt units just don't quite get hot enough. Do you have a way to get some additional heat to it to test if it is a tempurature problem? I use a propane torch sometimes to focus some heat right on the drippers. Also, try tapping on the side of the tray.
1Skeetman 2 years ago
Greg,
Check your inbox,
Thanks!
ruizhernandeztrustfi 2 years ago
hi from my experience #9 its difficult it takes lots of heat and also ur lead has to be very clean the holes r very small and any little dirt can clog up the drippers and cause u to lose it mentaly the machine is a good machine if u use it properly i make 7.5 shot and it works beautiful all i have to do i just feed lead to it it doesnt need any maintanace any tapping why example when i clean my lead i flux it and stir it until the dirt comes up many people may do it different
arroyo1970 2 years ago
@arroyo1970
Thanks for the advice, I figure it out what happened and now I made shots # 9 - # 7.5 without problems. The key to make good shots is a combination of choosing the right size of drippers (no matter what is stamped) a correct lead alloy and temp. (650* - 750* will do the job fine)
Thanks for the reply.
ruizhernandeztrustfi 2 years ago
@1Skeetman,
Forgot to ask, which liquid you use as coolant?
I use liquid soap. thanks in advance.
ruizhernandeztrustfi 2 years ago
@1Skeetman
How did you managed to achieve 40-50 lbs per hour?
I own the shotmaker machine (7 drippers version) and my best production so far is 12 lbs per hour.
ruizhernandeztrustfi 2 years ago
I work to keep the rate of flow as fast as you see in the video, however I have not put a stop watch to it. I count how many 1 1/2 lb ingots I put in in an hour.
Does the rate of drips decrease with your machine as you go along? Mine does and I need to keep the pool clean and free and quite often I need to rap on the machine and the rate of drips picks back up.
1Skeetman 2 years ago
@1Skeetman
Yes, the drops keeps decresing over the time but once I clean the bowl the flow is back to normal. I'm just surprised you achieve 40-50 lbs per hour, congrats!
ruizhernandeztrustfi 2 years ago
Hello and can produce a host of craftsmen ?????
I live in brazil
which is the distance that water?
thanks
magnum44tauros 2 years ago
1/4 inch
1Skeetman 2 years ago
Not with this particular design, these Littleton Shotmakers are designed for the lead droplets to bounce off the lip of the machine and not much more than 1/4 inch to the coolant, more or less will cause the shot to be deformed. The coolant is critical as well. I heard where the old method had the lead droplets falling over 40 feet. I use scrap wheel weights mostly, it makes hard shot. It is very time consuming, only a hobby to supplement factory shot in skeet shooting. Thanks, Greg
1Skeetman 2 years ago
Have you experimented with the height of the dropper above the coolant? I know that commercial shot is dropped from quite a height (taller the better) Which allows the shot to round out more, and cool slightly before it reaches the coolant. This makes more uniform shot.
Are you using scrap wheel weights or reclaimed lead?
pbgd3 2 years ago
Is that video playback in real time?
bwgary 3 years ago
Yes it is, I realize it is not very good quality. I recorded it on my digital camera not a camcorder.
1Skeetman 3 years ago
that is a awesome sound.
redeyesthe20th 3 years ago
Thanks, I will keep it up as long as I can get scrap lead to use.
1Skeetman 3 years ago
What is the ratio of "ALL" to water? I have the same 6 nozzle machine, but can't decide what to use for the coolant. What size are you making and how many pounds per hour?
rp300wm 3 years ago
Sorry for the multiple replies! Was having a problem with the computer!
rp300wm 3 years ago
Using full strength except for when I remove shot from tank and have to top the tank off for the next batch. Have to be careful because too much water will deform the drops when they hit the coolant. So the next time I add fresh soap to the tank.
I make no. 9's for skeet. Probably makes 40-50 lbs an hour. After washing soap from shot I spread it out on a metal screen to dry then screen it for any deformed ones. Lastly, it goes in the vibrating tumbler to polish it and I add a little graphite
1Skeetman 3 years ago
What is the ratio of "ALL" to water? I have the same 6 nozzle machine but I can't decide what to use for the coolant! What size are you making and how many lbs per hour?
rp300wm 3 years ago
what is the liquid the shot is pouring in?
swamperk 3 years ago
Liquid "All" laundry detergent in this case. Other liquids will work, but the detergent is easiest to deal with.
1Skeetman 3 years ago
What is the ratio of water to "ALL" detergent? I have everything I need to start except I can't decide what to use for coolant!
rp300wm 3 years ago
Thanks! Been looking around to see how this was done.
creteham 4 years ago