Author Topic: Melting pot (Read 3930 times)

ed lundquist · « **on:** March 22, 2021, 02:14:11 AM »

I need to get myself a pot, looking at the Lee Pro 4 20 220. Anything I should know? Thanks

Jerry · « **Reply #1 on:** March 22, 2021, 02:11:42 PM »

Lee pots are good. My first pit was a Lee. My second and last pot purchased was a Lyman.

Dale Halterman · « **Reply #2 on:** March 22, 2021, 03:22:04 PM »

I still use an old Lee pot I inherited from my brother. It has a lot of years on it but still works. Only problem is it developed a leak in the spout at the bottom so I plugged it with a machine screw and just use a ladle now.

Dale H

P.W.Berkuta · « **Reply #3 on:** March 22, 2021, 08:22:31 PM »

Quote from: ed lundquist on March 22, 2021, 02:14:11 AM

I need to get myself a pot, looking at the Lee Pro 4 20 220. Anything I should know? Thanks

That Lee Pro 4 20 pound pot you asking about is it really 220 volts

? If so why not a 110 volt pot

? Well I went to the Lee home page and sure enough they have that pot in 220 volts

but I still don't see the need for it as the 110 volt pot works just fine

.

R.J.Bruce · « **Reply #4 on:** March 22, 2021, 09:45:37 PM »

110 volt lead pots have only been sporadically available since the incredible jump in the number of guns purchased, new shooters and hunters added to what was once a population of 50 million. It's now estimated to be approximately 55-57 million. A significant jump in under a year's time.

OTOH, 220 volt pots have been far more readily available. A 220 volt pot is also more efficient, and heats up faster.

If I was moving into a new house, the first thing I would want is a three phase, 220 volt, 400 amp service. Then, my options for running electrical machinery would be virtually endless.

A European, 220 volt, induction stove, commercial, or household, is the most efficient means of cooking by a very large margin. The best commercial induction stoves are virtually unknown here in the USA. In Europe, most of the best restaurants have spent the money to upgrade, as the cost savings after a couple of years proves to be worth it. Plus, the heat control is instantly transfered via magnetic induction. Faster even than natural gas. And, the cleanup is easier because there are NO openings on the top of the stoves surface.

Don Steele · « **Reply #5 on:** March 23, 2021, 01:52:40 AM »

Regardless of whether the pot is 110 or 220 volt..
LEE bottom pour pots should be used with pre-cleaned lead or alloy.
Putting contaminated metal in a LEE pot is usually the cause of the leaking so many people complain about. I’ve used my LEE bottom pour for 25 years. I don’t have any issues with mine.

ed lundquist · « **Reply #6 on:** March 23, 2021, 02:43:48 AM »

This is helpful, I'll do a search on pre cleaning the lead. I have 220 in my shop so no issues there. The 110 unit is not currently available.

Daryl · « **Reply #7 on:** March 23, 2021, 03:25:13 AM »

I've been using 20 pound Lee posts for a number of years and converted both bottom pour pots
to dipping. This isn't as necessary with round balls but when casting bullets, better, more consistent
results are achieved with dipping. I run 2 such pots, now, one with alloyed lead, one with pure lead.
Also, I don't use Marvelux any more for fluxing, but use parafin or generally beeswax nowadays, kept
in an old Marvelux white plastic can.

coupe · « **Reply #8 on:** March 23, 2021, 05:16:20 AM »

I have used my lee bottom pour since 1977, I do get dirt in the spout now and again. Just empty it in a proper container let it cool remove the valve and wire brush it and some sand paper to polish. Heat the pot to melt free the lead in the spout, don't over heat the pot, or use a propane torch on the spout tip clean that out assemble and fill the pot. A little care and it will last a long time. A dab of bees wax to flux and pour.....to much smoke just light it with a match, best not done in the kitchen, need not ask how I found that out!
coupe

flinchrocket · « **Reply #9 on:** March 23, 2021, 05:55:50 AM »

On the valve rod of the Lee pot there is a screwdriver slot. If the pot starts to drip a little take a screwdriver and turn the valve rod back and forth a few times while the lead is hot and it will clean the valve and stop leaking.

Don Steele · « **Reply #10 on:** March 23, 2021, 11:44:19 AM »

Coupla comments for folks who haven't done too much bullet/ball casting. Like Daryl....I gave up on Marvelux after a couple of tries with it. I'm using some old beeswax. Doesn't take much and doing it a couple of times with smaller amounts of wax is more effective than just once with a bigger piece.
As to pre-cleaning the lead...I use an old cast iron skillet and a Coleman stove...OUTSIDE. I put an old lid on the skillet while it's getting up to temperature. Definitely helps heat more efficiently. If you tightly clamp a set of Vice-Grip pliers on the skillet before pouring the clean lead into whatever you're using for an ingot mold, you'll have better control than trying to pour by holding just the handle.
Hope this helps.

ed lundquist · « **Reply #11 on:** March 23, 2021, 03:04:38 PM »

Great information, I thank you all very much!

pilot · « **Reply #12 on:** March 23, 2021, 08:10:23 PM »

Quote from: flinchrocket on March 23, 2021, 05:55:50 AM

On the valve rod of the Lee pot there is a screwdriver slot. If the pot starts to drip a little take a screwdriver and turn the valve rod back and forth a few times while the lead is hot and it will clean the valve and stop leaking.

Thanks for that. Mine leaks sporadically and I hadn't figured out how to stop it.

Daryl · « **Reply #13 on:** March 23, 2021, 08:20:53 PM »

I converted both of my 20 pound pots, and the 10 pound Lee pot I used previously, by emptying them, removing the bottom pour
apparatus then turning a #6 self tapping 1/2" screw into the hole from the inside, with an impact driver. This worked perfectly.

Sharpsman · « **Reply #14 on:** March 31, 2021, 04:33:57 PM »

SWAGE

Scota4570 · « **Reply #15 on:** March 31, 2021, 06:28:45 PM »

https://leeprecision.com/pro-4-20lb.html

I think this is the best Lee pot. IT has a little shelf to rest the mold on. This is important with gang molds. The larger capacity is good. The ability to adjust how fast it squirts the lead is excellent. The straight up and down operating valve is better.

The 110V version melts the alloy plenty fast. I have not looked inside the 220V unit. I suspect they are the same pots but, wired different. If I were designing the 220V version I would use one leg of the 220V to provide 110V. Using a different heating element seems unnecessarily complicated.

I have owned half a dozen lee pot over the years. Do not use Marvel flux, it will rust out your pot in a couple of years. A pea size pies of any wax will work fine. Ignite the smoke to avoid a white cloud.

ranger76 · « **Reply #16 on:** March 31, 2021, 07:33:03 PM »

Sharpsman even if you swage you need to melt lead. I have two 10 lb lee pots and one 20 lb lee the 20 and one 10 lb are sealed.

Daryl · « **Reply #17 on:** March 31, 2021, 08:24:02 PM »

Interesting comment about the Marvelux - it coats the inside of the pot with a hard substance - not rust, but the pot I used it in
is still going with my pure lead mix. for over 20years now. I did have to rewire it. I use wax now as I did not like the 'coating' that
the Marvelux did, however over the years, the coating is wearing away with scraping with the spoons I use when fluxing. The pot
still works as normal.

P.W.Berkuta · « **Reply #18 on:** March 31, 2021, 09:40:20 PM »

With the Lee pots if the pot rust out or fails they will send you a replacement for free -- one time only you need to ask for it.

I have a bottom pour 20 pound and was getting poor fill on .577 caliber minies and drilled out the spout to a larger size and messed it up. I called Lee to replace the pot and they told me the replacement was free - a one time deal.

Daryl · « **Reply #19 on:** March 31, 2021, 09:46:26 PM »

That's cool! Wonder if they'd send one up here?
The pot is still going strong, though, after the re-wire.

hudson · « **Reply #20 on:** April 01, 2021, 04:43:52 PM »

I have been using a RCBS 20 pound bottom pore for many years love it. I did drill out the opening in the valve one drill size as recommended by some with good results. I use this in the winter. In the summer nothings beats dipping from an old cast iron pot which will hold probably 50 pounds (keep around 30 or so in it) over a gas fire.

Daryl · « **Reply #21 on:** April 01, 2021, 08:46:42 PM »

I had a 50 or so pound lead pot, made from welding a base to a section of 1/4" wall pipe - about 7" in diameter.
Used on a propane stove, I used it for many years. I had converted the white-gas stove to run on a 20 pound bottle
of propane. Cranked up, it would melt 40 pounds of lead in about 20 minutes, but didn't have a shelf. Setting the mould
blocks beside the flame pre-heated the mould while the lead melted.

Sharpsman · « **Reply #22 on:** April 16, 2021, 06:44:57 PM »

Quote from: ranger76 on March 31, 2021, 07:33:03 PM

Sharpsman even if you swage you need to melt lead. I have two 10 lb lee pots and one 20 lb lee the 20 and one 10 lb are sealed.

WAAGE melting pot! Had a brain lapse! Use a ladle instead of a bottom pour! HORNADY swage mine! Think I deserve a break from casting....since I started in 1948!!

Pukka Bundook · « **Reply #23 on:** April 18, 2021, 05:43:21 PM »

My melting pot is an old stainless or cast iron cooking pot. Ladle it out. A backward way of working, but it does work.

Nessmuck · « **Reply #24 on:** April 21, 2021, 03:36:37 AM »

40+ year old Lee....still getting it done

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Author Topic: Melting pot (Read 3930 times)

coupe