Lead Pot Problem

[Fatman]

I have 2 of the Lee Pots and here is how I handle it. I have an old steel cup that I pour any leftover lead into and it makes small round plates that will fit back into my melter, it also serves if the pot starts to leak. I put the little pot under the pour spout and I use a LONG piece of spinner wire (I make mepps style spinners) while the pot is full run the wire through the hole to clear it then use a screwdriver to spin the pour bar until it stops dripping. While pouring I flux my lead, here's a good thread on it from Tackle Underground, I will say until I read this thread on fluxing I had NEVER EVER done it, I do now:

Best Lead Melt Flux? - Tackleunderground
I never leave lead to harden in my pot.

My cleaning of the Lee Pot:

When all the lead is out of the pot I WEARING GLOVES tilt it forward to get any remaining lead to flow out the hole, I turn the pot down to about 200 degrees and then with an old 1/4 oz jig with the barb cut off and the wire formed into an L shape I shove it up into the hole from the bottom and remove any clogs/buildup, then I use a piece of spinner wire (I make mepps style spinners) and do the same from the top.

I then turn the pot off and pull the bar our of the pot and let it cool totally, I usually trim sprues from the jigs and a quick swipe with a piece of sandpaper for any that don't come off clean.

I then pack up my jigs in zip bags for temp storage till I get to painting. I put all the sprue heads in my clean lead bucket and then to the pot. I pull the pouring bar out of the pot and use a piece of steel wool to get any crap off it and then use an old flat head screwdriver to scrape the sides of the pot down. I tip the pot over and knock all the scrapings out then use a big piece of steel wool to wipe the inside of the pot till totally clean.

I've done this with every pot I've ever had and it works really well for me, plus when you go to pour again everything is clean and ready to go.

Hope this helps

Fatman