Lee Production Pot

[Dahonis]

......it started with the "Lee Drip" for the bottom pour spout.

Cleaned it all up and started again.

Only this time I couldn't stop the drip......that then went into a full on pour with 10lbs of molten lead.

Pleased I was outside, normally its on the kitchen worktop !

I shall not be buying another. Kranks have offered a full refund.

[dromia]

They are not called drip-o-matics for nothing.

The netty is awash with "fixes" for it, that tells you what unreliable kit it is.

Best thing to do is take off the pouring tackle and block up the spout and use it as a dipping pot.

[Richard 1951]

I have used one of these pots for about 25+ years and have found out the following:
little crumbs of lead [II] oxide prevent seating and hence cause leaks. This can be lessened by more fluxing of the mixture and running the pot at a lower temperature hence lessening oxide production.
a small veneer pin bent at 90 degrees fastened to a wooden handle can be used to unblock the spout safely.

Running the pot at as low a temperature as possible also seems to prevent frosting of the bullets, giving a better appearance. I cannot say the heads are any more accurate. Other sources say otherwise !

[Gazoo]

Mine crapped itself and went from drip to 10lb drip one fateful afternoon. Heap of crap . I am back on old pan and gas ring with a dipper now. Anyone want any spares? gratis.

[dromia]

As I have said there are plenty of short term fixes out there, personally life is too short for me to bother with the Lee.

I've had my RCBS Promelt for over two decades, and it has had some hammer in that time, and as yet it hasn't dripped or had anything else go wrong with it so I've had my moneys worth along with years of trouble free casting. In fact I can't even remember the last time I cleaned it.

Frosted bullets are just fine and if anything they are better bullets due to better fill and consistency, whether that difference is enough to show up on the target out to 600 yrds I doubt.

If you are casting soft lead then the pot and alloy usually does need to be hot, using the Lee seems to be like casting with one hand tied behind your back. If the only shooting you do allows you to cast at a low temp then fine, me I need the full temperature spectrum my pot can give me

Frosting is the antimony crystals in the alloy and so long as it is even then it is not a problem, patchy frosting isn't to be tolerated as it shows an unevenly heated mould.

[Dahonis]

If I'm not allowed anymore guns at the moment, a pro melt might cheer me up

.......until then a trip to Homebase for a new gas bottle to warm my ring

[Dahonis]

£373 new pounds for a pro melt......mmmmm time to sell a kidney

[FredB]

I have three paint tins, an electric ring and a Lee production pot. The lee pot has been completely trouble free for the last 10 years, except that I just don't like it. I only use it for big, heavy bullets which take along time to fully fill and to cool---so I ladle cast with the other equipment at the same time. If the Lee pot fails, then that's it. I like my ladle.
Fred