Steve Brooks mold.

[Distant Thunder]

Hi Kevin! I hope all is well with you.

Whiskers are fine lead "hairs" that are produced when the lead flows into the vent lines of the mold.
Flashing is produced when the lead flows into the slight gap between the sprue plate and the top of the blocks forming a fin, this can also be called finning. It can also flow between the two inner surfaces of the blocks, between the 2 halves, there is something really wrong if this occurs.

Both of these conditions can occur when the blocks and/or the lead become too hot or if there is manufacturing defect in the mold, also if the mold has been abused.

I have used the same Lee 20 pound pot for 30 year. If it holds up another 10 years I'll figure I got my money's worth out of it.