Info/opinions please on lead pot

[MSP Ret]

Any opinions or info on a Lee Procuction Pot IV?. Do they have a temperature control? Is the system they use to control the lead flow good or not? Any other pots to be preferred instead of this pot for a fairly new (did it years ago though) bullet caster who does not do a lot of casting? What are they going for new? Whats a better pot in the same price range? Thanks....<><.... :grin:

[rk4570]

You can spend a LOT more $ but I think the Lee lead pots are great and Ive used one for several years.

I use the dipper model and kept it for a back up when I bought the Lyman but it burned out after a couple of years soooo I started using the Lee   and its still going!  :grin:

[Leftoverdj]

The 20 lb pot is much better than the ten. They still have some dripping problems but much less than the tens. Some poster have reported adding a few ounces to the the valve rob and stopping the dripping.

Lee uses a heating element control rather than a true temperature control and the heat will creep up on you as the pot empties. Little experience and you can control that pretty good.

I'm satisfied with the value, but I am cheap.

[Haywire Haywood]

I have Lee's 10lb bottom pour and their 20lb ladel pot.  If you go bottom pour definately get the 20 pounder.  The valve works on the 10lb pot angle across the pot making it a pain to stir or add lead.  I use the ladel pot and a ladel with the spout drilled out to 3/32 for big bullets.  Dan at Mountain Molds said I'd get better fillout on lead hungry molds with it.

Ian

[Rustyinfla]

I have one and I love it. The best thing about it IMHO is the slot in the top of the rod that fills the pour spout. My mallet that I use to cut the sprues with has been modified to hold a small screwdriver blade in the handle. If, while I'm pouring I should get a dribble the tool is already in hand to take care of the problem. I don't have to put anything down and look for the right tool.
  BTW my "mallet" is a straight piece of a broken pick handle.
                 Rusty <><

[sharps4590]

I've had a Lee 10 lb. pot for over 20 years.  About 10 years ago I got the Lyman 20 lb. bottom pour and since then the Lee doesn't see much use except for revolver bullets.  

Mine has been good and as is typical of most Lee products I think it's a good buy for the money.  It isn't a Lyman, Saeco or RCBS but then it doesn't cost $225.00+ either.  The original thermostat on my Lee still works and I had to replace the one on my Lyman after about 5 years but it saw a heck of a lot of use in those 5 years also.

If you're casting big bullets, 400 gr.+, I would think you'd be happier with a 20 lb pot.  

Vic

[Robert]

The only problem with the Pro 20 is the amount of clearance underneath.  The IV has a lot more clearance....I do not know why the Pro 20 is made so much lower...I can't fit my core molds under it at all.  I went with the Pro 20 beacuse it fits my ingots (cookies).  I am thinking of modifying it, should be pretty easy to get some hardware and raise it up a little.  The base is just screwed on from the bottom.  Hey MSP..do you still need those spitzers?  I have been trying to find a little bit of tin so I can get them to flow a little nicer...remember I told you I had problems with the 280's turning out weird with the 1/2&1/2 mixture I was using....I HAVE NOT forgotten about you.
  I think you will be happy with the Pro 20.

[jh45gun]

I have one  a  Lee 10 # bottom pour and have had no problems some say they drip sometimes but this is the advice I gave at a other forum.

 "I have found that a paper clip or a small piece of wire shoved through the spout with a pair of pliers and wiggled around seems to clean out the hole and then using a screwdriver on the rod to twist it around seems to clean the spout and stop the drips for me. I have no problems with my  lead pot after doing this. Jim "

[MSP Ret]

Thanks for all the replys guys, and Robert yes those bullets would be great, I have not given up on you!!!. The spitzers you spoke of, were those the .308/.309 fro the special run mold? I have the mold here but I thought you said you had one also. Was it you that had said he would mold up a bunch for me and another guy (I owe him) for the couple of boxes of GC's? I do remember you were going to send me some bullets for the scale parts but it's been a while and I have had so much going on I am probably mixing a couple of deals together. I do remember you were going to send me some bullets for the scale parts and I am hoping you were also the one who was willing to mold up some .30 cal spitzer cg's for the exchange of some cg's...now you have made my day, I was hoping to get some bullets in to load....Thanks....<><.... :grin: