Same here, I more or less taught myself. I have the "ABCs of reloading" and there's some good info in there.
I have the Lee precision melter, around $26 from Midway or Midsouth. Lee molds and a Lyman ladle. I use the Frankford Arsenal drop out spray and don't smoke my molds anymore.
Check this out-

http://www.austinrifleclub.org/Documents/Articles/Bullet_Casting_Primer.htm