Hey guys, I've never melted my own lead I have had a buddy do it for me I just get the wheel weights. Would this product be sufficient? I saw its not terribly expensive and thought I may be able to start doing it myself ( ofcourse I'd have someone who knows what they're doing there the first few times) whatya think?
lee production pot
- Thread starter mattman29
- Start date
It`s what I use.
It`s good for Double cavity molds but it starts running out quick unless you make sure to drop your rejects and sprues back in as soon as they cool down.
You also have to fiddle with the temperature a bit as you go along. I usually vacillate between 4 and 6.
It takes a bit of experience to use it properly but it`s fun to learn.
I`d suggest a good caliper and digital scale to sort out your bullets until you figure out exactly what`s going on i.e temperatures of lead and mold + Mold Fill out
It`s good for Double cavity molds but it starts running out quick unless you make sure to drop your rejects and sprues back in as soon as they cool down.
You also have to fiddle with the temperature a bit as you go along. I usually vacillate between 4 and 6.
It takes a bit of experience to use it properly but it`s fun to learn.
I`d suggest a good caliper and digital scale to sort out your bullets until you figure out exactly what`s going on i.e temperatures of lead and mold + Mold Fill out
They make 2 different production lead pots, which one are you refering to?
I use the 20lb Pro 4-20 pot and can pour *204 - 230 grain 45acp bullets before I stop and add lead. For the $20 I would go for the bigger 20lb one. I have a 10lb pot as a back up, since I switched to the 20 lb pot. A typical afternoon of bullet casting is 3 hours long creating 1000 bullets in 45acp. Pays for the mold and pot in first 2000 bullets.
* 6cavity mold X 34 fillings.
happy casting
I use the 20lb Pro 4-20 pot and can pour *204 - 230 grain 45acp bullets before I stop and add lead. For the $20 I would go for the bigger 20lb one. I have a 10lb pot as a back up, since I switched to the 20 lb pot. A typical afternoon of bullet casting is 3 hours long creating 1000 bullets in 45acp. Pays for the mold and pot in first 2000 bullets.
* 6cavity mold X 34 fillings.
happy casting
Larger Pro4 -20lbs is a better choice if you are planning to use wheel weights rather than ready made lead in ingots.
Why? Top opening is way larger and it's a lot easier to scoop up clips,flux etc.
I wish Lee did this pot in 30lbs size
I'm running out of lead too fast with this one.
Why? Top opening is way larger and it's a lot easier to scoop up clips,flux etc.
I wish Lee did this pot in 30lbs size
I'm running out of lead too fast with this one.I'd avoid using raw wheel weights in your production pot. Not only is it inefficient, but that dirty crap in your production pot will make a terrible mess. And yes, I've tried it, and spent a long time cleaning the pot after to make it pour right again.
For raw wheel weights, Walmart sells a propane turkey fryer rig for about $40. Use an old SS or solid cast iron pot along with your propane tank from your BBQ. Save the big aluminum pot that comes with the fryer for your turkey, as it will not be suitable for lead. You can use an old muffin tin pan for your clean ingots. Don't skimp on the fluxing.
For raw wheel weights, Walmart sells a propane turkey fryer rig for about $40. Use an old SS or solid cast iron pot along with your propane tank from your BBQ. Save the big aluminum pot that comes with the fryer for your turkey, as it will not be suitable for lead. You can use an old muffin tin pan for your clean ingots. Don't skimp on the fluxing.
Sorry, I haven't put in the time to figure out how to post pics yet...but I just finished smelting a bunch of lead recovered from the range. I got 830 pounds of ingots and 315 pounds of tailings. Ps. I used a propane ring and a dutch oven for this job as the hot plate was way too slow.
I'm jealous! 1000 pounds of lead means a lot of tire shop visits for me, since I'm lucky to score a partial bucket in about 1 in 5. We have only one indoor club in Ottawa (RA Centre) and I'm sure that collecting lead is not an option for even the most active members.
