CNC Molds N Stuff Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 (edited) It drives me bonkers to constantly have to clean up the stalagmite of lead that grows beneath the nozzle on my Lee 10lb pot. On top of that there is a bit of lead spatter. I am really conscious of lead contamination of the things around my pouring bench from it. I've emptied and cleaned my pot before. I've carefully lapped in the the rod that closes the pour spot. Sometimes it got better, but still there was that persistent if slower drip. Its not a huge deal if I am pouring a bunch, but I rarely pour a bunch. I usually heat up the pot, test a mold, and unplug the pot to cool down while I pack up the mold. Because most of my time is spent waiting I spend that time doing other things like sweeping up, radiusing pins, etc. Today I walked back to the heated up pot and decided to try one more thing. I increased the weight on the arm by making a bigger one out of a piece of brass rod I had left over from some oil line metric to SAE adapters I made yesterday. Then I picked up the molds I wanted to test and went to go rinse the cutting fluids off of them and dry them. 15 minutes later I came back to find no drips below the spout. I did have a couple drips while I was pouring right after I moved a mold out from under the spout, but then no more. I don't know if its the answer for everybody, but it certainly helped with my little pot. Edited September 15, 2016 by Bob La Londe 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jig Man Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 Good to know Bob. I always keep a small hammer by the pot and give the rod a tap when it drips. That works most of the time. It doesn't seem to matter how many times I flux it still get stuff in the spout and have drips. I think I'll try something different with the arm myself. I had never even thought of that. That is indicative of this site and all of the brainiacs and McGyvers on it. I learn something every time I read about problems and cures that show up here. Thanks again man. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slammingjack Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 Thank you for 411 Bob. I'll try it on my pot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLT Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 Good thinking! You are right, no matter how clean I try to keep the lead, still get drips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LimpNoodle Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 I simply purchased a RCBS Pro-Melt. Twice the capacity, better temperature control and no leaks. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toadfrog Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 Giv'in secretes away agin ain't ya Bob! Yes I'm still alive and keeping an eye on you . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smallmouthaholic Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 I used to use lapping compound and turn the plunger in both direction on slow speed w/ a drill. It worked 3-4x's then drip-drip,drip! It sits in a box in the corner of my shop for the past 2+ years. RCBS pro-melt is the only way to go unless you enjoy getting splashed and burned while taking twice as long to produce lead jigs 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CNC Molds N Stuff Posted September 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 I actually have several melting pots including a Lyman melter, RCBS pro melt, a Lee 20lb pot, and a cast iron pot with a spout. Most of my lead mold customers have the Lee 10lb pot so its what I tend to use for testing. The added weight helped, but for some reason it dripped when it was cooling down after I unplugged it. Not a lot, but enough to build up about 3/16 inch on the platform. I am disappointed. Adding more weight helped, but it didn't cure it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLS Posted September 16, 2016 Report Share Posted September 16, 2016 I use an old Lee 20lb pot that drips a little but nowhere near as much as the 2 new ones that I purchased in the last year. I've added a little weight to the handle to help but have noticed that if I end my pour just right, there is no drip. I've been thinking about going with the RCBS in the near future, I know I'm done buying Lee pots! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLT Posted September 16, 2016 Report Share Posted September 16, 2016 I simply purchased a RCBS Pro-Melt. Twice the capacity, better temperature control and no leaks. Have one also. Mine is probably 20 yrs old, it drips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smalljaw Posted September 16, 2016 Report Share Posted September 16, 2016 I love my LEE pots, but they will drip after awhile. I got an RCBS unit and not only doesn't it drip but the temperature and flow control make my pouring much more enjoyable and efficient. I had 2 reasons to get the RCBS, the first was I was getting tired of messing with pots and shipping them out for service, and the second was the $75 rebate which is going on until the end of December I believe. If you can afford to invest in that unit I will tell you that after the first hour of using it, you'll forget about the price as it just works so much better, I'm glad I finally made the leap. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlaery Posted September 16, 2016 Report Share Posted September 16, 2016 Have one also. Mine is probably 20 yrs old, it drips. have had 2 and they both dripped a lot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skimpy Posted September 16, 2016 Report Share Posted September 16, 2016 My Lee pot drips. I ended up just plugging it on the bottom with a wire and now just use a laddle.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fshng2 Posted September 16, 2016 Report Share Posted September 16, 2016 My Lee pot drips. I ended up just plugging it on the bottom with a wire and now just use a laddle.... X2 for ladle. For me the ladle helped with troublesome molds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLT Posted September 17, 2016 Report Share Posted September 17, 2016 I love my LEE pots, but they will drip after awhile. I got an RCBS unit and not only doesn't it drip but the temperature and flow control make my pouring much more enjoyable and efficient. I had 2 reasons to get the RCBS, the first was I was getting tired of messing with pots and shipping them out for service, and the second was the $75 rebate which is going on until the end of December I believe. If you can afford to invest in that unit I will tell you that after the first hour of using it, you'll forget about the price as it just works so much better, I'm glad I finally made the leap. The RCBS is a really nice pot. Love mine but it does drip. The age of it is the why I think it drips. That area is getting a little worn after all these years. Maybe a new plunger would solve it, but I have learned to work around/with the drip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walleyeking Posted September 18, 2016 Report Share Posted September 18, 2016 Just thought ide share this. http://www.titanreloading.com/service The parts for Lee pots are way cheap and they are easy to fix yourself. A new plunger and pot liner are $11 and I think shipping was like $6 for $17 you can stop them from dripping for awhile at least. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walleyeking Posted September 18, 2016 Report Share Posted September 18, 2016 The link didn't work quite right but go to service parts for melters and they have all kinds of parts real reasonable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apdriver Posted September 18, 2016 Report Share Posted September 18, 2016 Thanks Smalljaw for the heads up on the RCBS rebate. Graf and sons has it listed at 372.- and 7.95 shipping. I might take a leap here and pick one up before the end of the year. If a guy is patient and keeps his eye out for a good sale or coupon might get a heck of a discount. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smalljaw Posted September 19, 2016 Report Share Posted September 19, 2016 Apdriver, I got mine from Midway, it was on sale and then with the rebate the final cost was like $265 give or take some change. If you wait you may get a good deal but check Midway out as they continue to keep having sales every week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apdriver Posted September 19, 2016 Report Share Posted September 19, 2016 Thanks, Smalljaw. I looked last night at Midway and since my sons Birthday is today and Midway knows us pretty well, they had a birthday price. First time I had ever seen that. It said you had to be registered with them as in sign up for an acct. and give them your info. We get a bunch of shooting and reloading supplies from them. Their Birthday price was 357.- and minus the 75 rebate would put them at 282.-. It's only good for 9 days before and after your birthday so I'm going to keep my eye on them. Again, thanks for the info and hope you're doing well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
