Lee lead pot temp

[jethunter]

Just a heads up for anyone using lee pot. When I got it I didn't have thermometer, so online said put it about 7. I just bought a lyman and an a rcbs thermometer for my shot maker, which looks like it needs 650. I checked my thermometers on the lee pot, at 7 thermometers went up to 900 before I pulled them out. I had to put it down to 2.5 to get it to 700. And incase anyone is wondering, both digital lyman and mechanical rcbs read same temps, so if you need one, both work.

The actual thermostat in the Lee pots is in the enclosure with the switches, it does not sense actual temperature of the alloy in the pot. So your setting will vary depending on the ambient temperature. And in my experience the setting needed to get to a predetermined temperature is different in every pot. Not only that but the setting will change over time as the heating element ages.

 

[bandanaman]

I had problems with my Lee pot as it would not turn on till the 5 o clock position and took forever to get anywhere close to 750 deg. I reluctantly ended up bending the stop on the rheostat so I could advance it more which worked and gave me higher temperatures but it still didn't feel right doing that. Now coupled with a PID controller I made for it I can control my melt now and rest easier for fear of a furnace "melt down " I can't seem to program the controller for whatever reason but it does function and I confirm temperatures with my Lyman thermometer....[530 deg. C on my controller gives me the 750 deg. F . I am looking for]

 

[53Izzy744]

I usually have it set between 6 and 7 and use sawdust now and then. But most of the impurities are removed during the ingot proccess. I cast single slugs (lyman) as well as the 6 cavity roundballs (lee). Very rarely get the 420 drip but usually goes away with the next pour. At first i had to fiddle with the screw every so often but seems to have broken itself in maybe lol

7 does seem a bit hot but im in no way an expert, ive had my handles wander from the heat but easily tapped back in