I recently was given a bunch (over a hundred lbs) of lead and am considering adding more to the addiction by pouring jig heads. My question is if a production pot is recommended. Just curious to see what some of you use. Thanks for any info. Ron
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I recently was given a bunch (over a hundred lbs) of lead and am considering adding more to the addiction by pouring jig heads. My question is if a production pot is recommended. Just curious to see what some of you use. Thanks for any info. Ron
I am getting a production pot soon as I need to pour my own weights and jigs and I will only be doing maybe 1000 a year in total. If you are gonna do a lot of them I would suggest a larger setup so you can pour a lot and not have to wait for heating and you can also clean a lot of lead if needed all at the same time.
I am gonna get a plain Lee pot and buy a ladle instead of buy one of the pour spot models. I like to see what I am doing and I don't like some of the things I have read about the spout ones.
The only problem with production pot. You have to keep them clean they will lead up if your lead is not clean good luck. In what I mean by this is the spell will plug up where the lead comes out you can clean the tip with a wire or something like that too on plug it be careful it will burn you.
Hard to beat the bottom pour pots ... make sure your lead is clean !!!
Clean it up in another pot than the one you pour with (open pot).
Flux it good !!! Skim off the "junk" .. Then pour in ingots (muffin pan works) Then its ready for Your pouring Pot.
Solves a lot of problems.
Have Fun
JSC
That is why I am gonna go with a simple pot and a ladle. Can flux all I want and not worry about the spout plugging up. Can also get a feel by using the ladle as to how much you need for each different spot in the mold and different molds.
I'm in a 100% agreement with JSC. You can't beat a bottom pour pot for speed, consistency and safety. I have (3) of them and I never have problem with the spout plugging up. You do what JSC mentioned and you will pour everyday as a happy camper. Just my 2 cents worth.
Well I guess it depends on how clean the lead is you got RonDon. If you know it is pure then you won't need to buy 2 pots, you will only need 1. If not you will need 2, 1 to clean it all and one to pour it from a bottom pour pot. I agree that clean pure lead is best done in bottom pour spout pot. I pour 90% wheel weights so clean lead is rare for me. And I definately don't have the money to buy 2 pots to pour what little I am gonna do.
I've never poured any jig heads but I've poured thousands of round balls for muzzleloading gun competition. I've had both Lyman & Lee bottom pour pots. The were both bad about leaking at the spout.
I wouldn't say they leak, however they do drip. Everyone I know that has one even an RCBS does drip. It's the nature of the beast.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sawman53
Ditto JSC & cadman
If you don't empty the pot you won't have the plugging up issues. I keep my pots full all the time.
These pots (bottom feed) are probably the safest way to pour and fluxing/cleaning the lead is not a problem. I usually flux every other pour.