I need a new lead melting pot

[Montana Slim]

 
Yep and "oldie", but still useful.

I have two Lee pots. #1 is a 10-pound bottom pour. Worked perfect for 8-10 yrs. Then began to drip a bit. Added a small skillet as a drip & sprue catcher, on the shelf beneath the spout. Continued to serve for another 10+ years as a bottom pour. Added a Lee production pot (20-pounder). Took the drippy 10 pounder and removed the bottom pour assembly & put a self tapping screw into it. No drip. It makes a good dippin' pot - I use it for casting round balls& conicals for C&B pistols,muzzleloaders and breechloading CW carbines. Cartridge bullets, cowboy & other with the 20. The 20 pounder occasionally gets it's drip "on". No big deal with the cast iron skillet below for sprues, waste and drips. Bought that 20 pounder about 14 years ago.

Lots of theories on the dripping. I can add to that. It's been clear that running clean, well-fluxed lead will keep the fit of the stop-rod to the hole much happier, thus less drips. Clean lead & careful disassembly & cleaning, without damaging the parts, goes a long to keeping the drips to a minimum.

The both of these pots together must have cost a whole 80 to 90 dollars. Considering I cast virtually everything I shoot for past 40+ years (other than 5.56mm & 22 RF), I'd say the Lee pots have been a fairly good purchase.

Great advice on dangers of lead by other posters.  I advise all who cast to skip apparel such as shorts & flip-flops on casting days & I also highly recommend use of safety glasses. Avoid leaning the upper body (especially one's face) above the pot. A very slight spatter of lead on one's hand or arm is enough warning to the dangers of lead at 650+ degrees.

Slim

[Coffinmaker]

Necromancy.  A dying art ......... 

Coffinmaker