Lead Pot Problem

[Bittle]

Hey I'm sure I'm not the only one with this problem. I have the Lee Production pot and as soon as the lead gets in liquid form it starts dripping out the pour hole. I've tried to figure out the problem but its kinda hard with dripping lead splattering your hands. Anybody have a remedy for this.

[fishhunter775]

You probaly need to empty it and clean the pour spout out.You can also try using a small wire like a paper clip,hold it with a pair of pliers and push it up and down while letting the lead pour,sometimes this will clean it out from small dirt or other debries.Hope this will help with your problem.

[Ferdi]

Dirt from the lead will settle on the bottom of the pot too and in and around the rod that stops the flow of lead when you release the handle. It will also let lead leak as the lead comes to the melting point. Sometimes you can take pliers or whatever you use to scrape off the dirt from the lead and just move the rod a little to stop the lead flow too. ALSO do what fishhunter 775 said to do to clear the spout to. I hope you are using welders gloves while working around the lead pot so you don't get your hands burned PLUS safety glasses. Ferdi aka Fred

[Barnacle Bill]

Use a screwdriver and work the stopper back and forth until it stops. There is a slot in the top of it just for that purpose.

[redear]

I have one of those pots too, and it's the smaller one. anyway, I think they all do that drip thing, I know mine does. At the top of the stem that goes down into the pot, is a screwdriver slot. Put some leather gloves on, and get a screwdriver that fits that slot, a real short one is the best. I support the front of the pot with my left hand, while pushing the screwdriver into the slot with just a little pressure, while moving the screwdriver in both directions. In other words, half a turn one way, and then a half a turn the other way, six or seven times should get it to seat, and stop dripping. some times mine seats real easy and other times it is a little tougher. just remember to be very careful, and support the pot while working the stem, cause that molten lead could do some serious damage if you turned it over. Oh yeah, when you first see the pot dripping, it is pretty hard to turn that stem cause the lead on the surface is still gripping it. Just keep checking it to see if you can move it, while moving the lead patties from underneath so they don't get too big. hope this helps

[gabulldog]

yea i think they all do it mine does it the sorse on heat up but realy wile pouring it isnt bad a paper clip will fix it most of the time

alan

[slabbandit]

I've had the same problem. I like the screwdriver idea.

[ShilohRed]

my 20 lb pot does the same thing. I just adjust the screw and turn it a few times with a screw driver. Problem solved for a while..
Pete

[jimfish]

Turning the stem usually works,and like some already said after a while the impurites settle to the bottom of the pot. I drain mine once ina while and clean the spout with a pipe cleaner and remove the stem and sand it down,do get better flow after cleaning.

[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