Author Topic: "Kinda" solved my dripping Lee Pot  (Read 930 times)

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Offline Cheyenne Ranger

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"Kinda" solved my dripping Lee Pot
« on: July 25, 2005, 08:31:48 AM »
Depending on the amount of crud my Lee pot drips a bit.  Never been a real headache but been off for the summer I decided to tackle it from a different angle.
Background:  I cast standing up so my pot's base is about at eye level.  I built a wooden box for the pot to sit on to get it this high.  The box sits on a rolling table so I can cast outside where there is air  :grin:

Rather than messing with the pot I built a shelf just under the top of the box, drilled a 1/2" hole in the top and now I was ready to attack the pot.

Marked where the lead drippings hit the base, took the 6 screws out of the bottom and drilled a 1/2" hole in the base.  I used a cheapy hole cutter and used oil  as I cut through from the bottom.  That way got to back it with a piece of wood for a smoother edged cut.  Used a bit of 3 in 1 oil for lubercation and wore "ears" as this does make a racket!

Did a bit of clean up on the top of the base when I was done, put it back together and now when the pot drips it goes through the base, the top of the box and into an old lead pot--the kind you had to put over a fire to heat.  When I take a break I empty the catch-pot's contents back into the Lee and back to work.

Took about an hour to do this and didn't hurt myself which is a first :grin:

Cheyenne
SASS 48747L
RO II
Thunder River Renegades
SBSS #1170--OGB

Offline stuffit

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Lee Pot dripping
« Reply #1 on: July 25, 2005, 10:27:31 AM »
My 20# Lee bottom pour 120V has a little screw on the top mechanism that stops the drip when you twist it some.  I suppose this gets the trash out of the valve.  Do earlier models not have this, or is it that not all of them work as they are supposed to.
s.
Everybody changes their minds sometimes but a fool and a mule.

Deceased

Offline Cheyenne Ranger

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"Kinda" solved my dripping Lee Po
« Reply #2 on: July 25, 2005, 01:44:38 PM »
Mine has that but I think I need to empty the pot, pull it out and dress the point.  My old pot's adjustment rod had worn a ring around the end and I figure this one has too.

Basically, I just wanted to see if my idea would work.  Even on the best days the pot will drop now and then.  Plus I got a chance to use some of my POWER TOOLS!  Gotta love messin' with stuff :grin:

cr
SASS 48747L
RO II
Thunder River Renegades
SBSS #1170--OGB

Offline stuffit

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power tools
« Reply #3 on: July 25, 2005, 01:55:57 PM »
I am totally sympatico with the power tools creation need.  And, when done, it is, indeed, a most saticfying feeling.
s.
Everybody changes their minds sometimes but a fool and a mule.

Deceased

Offline calvon

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"Kinda" solved my dripping Lee Pot
« Reply #4 on: July 27, 2005, 04:50:11 PM »
I fought a dripping Lee pot until I was blue in the face, losing every step of the way. My interim solution was to remove the bottom pour valve and then screw an oversize self tapping screw into the orifice. From then on it was a dipper pot.

The real solution was in spending some significant coin and getting a Magma Master Pot. It holds 40 pounds of alloy, has an accurate thermostat, and a bottom pour mechanism that doesn't leak.

Offline Cheyenne Ranger

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"Kinda" solved my dripping Lee Po
« Reply #5 on: July 29, 2005, 03:02:32 AM »
I would love a Magma but my casting (or lack there of) just doesn't make this a worthwhile investment for me.  In an hour I can cast all the bullets that I and 4 others need for a couple of months.  Plus, as my wife says, it keeps me off the streets :grin:

cr
SASS 48747L
RO II
Thunder River Renegades
SBSS #1170--OGB

Offline dodd3

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"Kinda" solved my dripping Lee Po
« Reply #6 on: August 31, 2005, 01:22:46 AM »
had my lee bottom pour pot for over 20 years never had a problem with dripping every 2 or casting sessions i pull it apart and  clean it  thoroughly
that way i don't have a problem.
bernie :-)
if its feral its in peril