Melting lead - melter question

[ghh3rd]

If there's a choice between 20 lb pot with infinite heat control, or a 10 lb pot with a thermostat, which would you choose?

Randy

 

[rcmodel]

You for sure need the heat adjustment regardless of what it holds.

Different alloys, and even different molds, don't all run at the same temperature setting.

But I assume you are talking about Lee pots.

All of them have rheostat heat controls.

All the infinite control does is automatically put out full power until the metal has melted.

You can do the same thing with the rheostat by turning it up all the way.

When it comes to lead pots, bigger is always better.

Get the 20 pound one, regardless of which type of control it has.

rc

 

[sqlbullet]

Second rcmodel. I bought the 10lb cause Sportmans had one at a reasonable price and I was impatient.

The 20 lb pot arrives at my house sometime today according to UPS. I cast 175 gr .401 bullets most of the time, and even at that with a 6 cavity mold, I am constantly adding lead to the pot. And, because each ingot is 10% (or more) of the pot, instead of 5%, it takes longer to recover to my baseline temp.

 

[bullseye308]

The biggest pot you can afford, everything else is about the same.

 

[Hairballusmaximus]

Def get the larger pot. As stated its recovery time will be faster and you spend more time casting than waiting for the temp to catch up.

 

[qajaq59]

Get the largest pot, a bottom pour, and a good thermometer. It's just soooo much easier that way.

 

[hawkeye1]

I have a Lee ten pounder. Works great, no problems, except for the little Lee Drip. But if I was looking for a replacement or just getting started I would definitely go with the twenty pound bottom pour. RCBS, Lyman, or Lee all would be good choices.

 

[243winxb]

One with a thermostat

 

[NuJudge]

If you are casting big .44 or .45 bullets using a 4 or 6 cavity mold, definitely buy the 20 pound. Even if you are casting .38's, you will probably suck a 10 pound dry awfully quick, and then have to stop until you melt a new batch, and by that time your mold will be cold again.

Buy the 20 pound: when casting operate it full with the temperature control way up, and be continually feeding it small ingots. If you pause in casting, turn the temperature control down.

 

[scrat]

3rd rc model. Unless you do not plan on doing a lot of casting. Otherwise a smaller pot will do. Picture this you have the 20lbs pot. You put in 12 lbs of lead start casting then once it starts settling down to the bottom you. Sometimes you almost kick your self in the behind because you already have enough bullets. but you still have a whole bunch of lead in the pot.

 

[bullseye308]

I cast till the body says quit, then dump what is left into an ingot mold for the next time. When I'm done, I'm done now. Keep an ingot mold handy.

 

[Dean Williams]

It won't hurt the melter to leave lead in when you shut it off. I usually leave mine about half full when I'm done casting. If I remember right, Lee even recommends leaving a few pounds of lead in the pot.

Scrat;

Sometimes you almost kick your self in the behind because you already have enough bullets.

I've never had this happen.

 

[RustyFN]

Another reason I like the 20 pound pot is it gives me a bigger choice on what I can use for an ingot mold.
Rusty