Casting with a PID Controller

[TexasMac]

Newer gadgets and techniques are usually quicker and easier, but I don't believe they are always better. A case in point is the thermostatically equipped electric pot versus the propane heated fish cooker and cast iron pot. The reason I say this is that the thermostat cycles on and off to maintain an even temperature and the temperature of the melt has to drop several degrees to cause the thermostat to re engage the power. This means the melt is constantly changing temperature up and down with an electric pot.

I definitely agree and that's why a PID is a benefit. It cycles the power on and off at a relatively high cycle rate (about 1 second with my RCBS pot), adjusting the power duty cycle & holding the alloy temp in my pot to less than +/- 5 degrees as I cast and lower the alloy level to 1/2 full or less.

Wayne

[Don McDowell]

They also rode wagons across country; road buggies, horses or walked to town and back, etc., etc., etc... Most of the "stuff" we use these days is not an absolute necessity. I enjoy taking advantage of new technologies if it's affordable.

Wayne

The if it's affordable part leaves a lot of the new stuff in serious question. At what point do we go from trying to win a match by actually shooting well enough to win the thing , to crossing over trying to buy a win?
Watch the temp either by thermometer or as Kurt suggested by color of the bullet, get a good casting routine and if you get over a 1gr spread on 150 bullets something is running amuck, and I'm not sure 150$ attachment to a 300$ casting pot will cure it.
These new gadgets are all well and good, but I'm not seeing the value in some of them yet.
AND FWIW I've spent enough hours horseback, or on open platform tractors, and the like in my lifetime that I'm not real sure that "we" aren't in worse condition now than when life was a lot more work, and not so many "gadgets" to rely on to even survive in this day and age.

[Martini2]

First thanks to Don for "fluxing" this PID thread. I readily agree topics can fall off point. The gadget thing is also a slippery slope. However please consider the art of casting, while essentially simple task, is being accomplished across this vast nation. With greatest respect not all who participate live in wide open country. I've acknowledged here being in East and suburban confines which makes setting up casting a different experience than some. For the record the humble Lee 20# smelter cost $59. The PID added about $40 to the outfit so this is not hundreds of dollar equipment, but the "gadget" makes it operate well. What attracts us old timers to BPCR is it is the only firearms sport where one has to truly "make" their own rounds. When we try to recruit new shooters at our Silhouette Range they are very excited about the shooting. However when introduced to casting their own etc. some drop it like a hot ladle without a glove. Others mileage may vary best to all.

[Don McDowell]

If "new" shooters being introduced to this sport are then treated to the introduction to casting , with the massive expenditures, and laborious and nauseatingly instense proceedures that are often presented to us on the internet, it's no wonder they shy away from it. Wonder how many of those folks that shy'ld away when presented with yup, buy a 10lb pot and a ladel, and here , start with this Lyman mould it's a proven winner, and 20 lbs of alloy, pan lube your bullets, how many of those would now be shooting, own a bench full of casting equipment and be a driving force in their local, regional, and possibly national match choices....

This PID thing is probably a nice thing for gadget guys. One person that uses it , when asked said it did not make his bullets any better, but his deal was it let him add the sprue back into the pot, and use the last very bit out of a pot.
Kelly Roos, was in his prime , one of the winningst shooters in the business, both sillouette and bptr. He poopoo'ld most all of this stuff as unneeded. BTW he hailed from downtown LA.
So we come right back to, this thing is interesting, but what for 140$ will it really do for you and your scores, that a simple pot, and good routine won't?

[Rbertalotto]

Some folks like some hobbies because of the gadgets......Fly Fishing, Motorcycling, Mountain Biking, Camping..etc, etc, etc....

I LOVE Gadgets! I biught a pickup truck camper and "Farkled" the heck out of it. When I got it just how I wanted it I sold it and bought a Toy Hauler Travel Trailer....I have a garage full of Solar, batteries, gauges, meters, TVs, LED lights and more that I'll be spending the whole long weekend installing. Even when I'm camping, the family will be at the beach and I'll be modifying something!

My motorcycle club calls me the "Farkle Master"

I could write a book on the stuff I've made. modified, "improved" with regards to reloading and casting...(Lots of it is on my web site...www.rvbprecision.com)

Sure, we could throw rocks at targets and we could load stones as bullets.....but we are human and there is always a "better way" to do everything.......

[Don McDowell]

Something only qualifies as better if it saves you time or money or both, and brings you better scores/tighter groups.

[Kurt]

Wonder just how many bullets were cast over Buffalo chips and Cow ships

[bobw]

Thanks Wayne for the article and the links. bobw