Opinions on the RCBS Pro-Melt

[Lunarphase]

I'm trying to get into casting and don't want to purchase equipment and and find I have to repurchase again because it's got issues or is lacking for one reason or another.
I know the RCBS Pro-Melt is a lot more expencive than the Lee 20# but I don't want to deal with the dripping I've heard some of them having, and I like the idea of the more accurate heat dial.
I've got enough set asside to purchase it, is it the right decision?

Thanks for your input.
Lunar

[primersp]

i have one buy second hand fews years ago ,before i have an lee ,happy with for 15 years ,
if you can find one used ,buy

[Grandpas50AE]

I've had mine for around 25 years now and it's still going strong and works well. I think it is well worth the money spent.

[Lunarphase]

Are you guys having any lead dripping problems with it?

[Cmemiss]

Mine has a slight drip, but I think it is from my own lazyness. You can get a drip in any of them depending on your alloy. Having had a Lee I voted for the RCBS with my $$ and never looked back. The difference is pretty notable.

[Lunarphase]

Also, is the heat dial accurate.
I'm wondering if I should buy a lead thermometer to verify it's accuracy, or would I be waisting my money buying one.

[VHoward]

The temp on the dial won't match the temp of the lead. The temp will however be one consistant temp at all lead levels. I had the Lee pot. It was pain in the rear end to use. Constantly dripping and constantly having to adjust the temp depending on the level of lead in it. I then bought the RCBS Pro Melt. It is like night and day difference. Mine does not drip, and I do not have to mess with the dial. I would still get a lead thermometer so you can set the temp where you want it.

[Dale53]

If you can stand the price, the RCBS is a dandy pot. I have two of them. I bougt one new when they were $100 (about thirty years ago) and found another at an estate sale at a rifle match full of bullet metal for $65.00. I about broke my arm getting my money out. It was like new, also.

I have run hundreds of pounds (probably nearer a ton) of bullets through mine.

There is no doubt that Lee's best pot is a better value, but, I sure do like my RCBS pots.

A little tip for those who have yet to cast much. Do NOT do smelting with your lead pot. Use a turkey fryer with a cast iron or steel pot for smelting. That keeps dirt out of your pot (which inevitably leads to dripping). I bought a small, cheap, Chinese vise grip pliers that I clip onto my lift lever. This stops any dripping that you might have happen with the RCBS pot. It's just an extra bit of weight that insures the lever closes positively.

FWIW
Dale53

[Baja_Traveler]

Mines also a good 30 years old - and still running strong. Best bottom pour pot there is...

[Rockchucker]

Finding a used Pro Melt will be slim to none, I bought mine new going on 3 years ago and never looked back. Before that I had a Lee bottom pour and have never regretted selling it. I say :Luvcastboolits:buy it cause it'll probably be the last one you'll ever need.

[Mal Paso]

Sure RCBS is better built and has a Real Thermostat instead of an "Infinity Switch" but where's the challenge in that? If you haven't noticed, us Lee Owner get a Lot More Forum Mileage from our pots than RCBS Owners. They will never appreciate PID Control like Lee Owners either! Go ahead. Be that lonely caster with few problems. :grin:

[Colorado4wheel]

Pro Melt is a good pot. Temp is steady. Dial is not accurate but it's close enough. Just turn it 50F past the melt point to start with and your good to go most likely from that point on.

[David2011]

Another one here that's 30 years old. I use a thermometer and adjusted the knob so that it's close to what the thermometer says, just for a starting point. It only drips a little.

David

[rockrat]

I am using two. Both of them have to be set about 50 degrees above what i want the temp to be. I don't cast with my "Mr. Drippy" anymore, just use it for annealing case necks for my 50 cals.

[dbarnhart]

I can't speak for the Lee 20# pot but I recently upgraded from a Lee 10# bottom pour pot to the RCBS Pro-Melt and it was a world of difference.

[dromia]

I have two promelts, one new and one second hand and both run champion. Been using the new one for 12 years now and lord alone knows how long the second hand one has been going for.

I've had a few lee pots over the years and they were given away or converted to dipping pots as they are failures as pouring pots.

If I couldn't afford a decent pot like the Pro melt then I'd sooner dip from a cast iron pan on a gas ring then use a Lee pot. It would probably be just as quick as pouring as I wouldn't be spending time constantly fettling everything as I had to do with the Lees to get them to work as advertised.

[alfloyd]

I have a RCBS Pro Melt I bought about 30 years ago. The only thing that I have needed to replace is the on-off switch. Easy to do and found at Radio Shack.
The temp stays constant. Love it.

Lafaun

[Lunarphase]

.......buy it cause it'll probably be the last one you'll ever need.

This quote about sums it up, and exactly what I'm looking for. I hate throwing good money after un-needed fix projects. God knows how much money I've waisted over the years trying to buy cheap on what I think is a good deal, sometimes it seems like I'll never learn.
Thanks for all the reviews! :drinks:

Lunar

[Hardcast416taylor]

I also am in the 30 year owners club. I did find a used pot at an estate sale full of WW alloy for a terrible price of $35! I melted out the lead and cleaned up the pot before giving it to a friend that needed a good pot but was on a pension. A therometer is a good addition to using any pot to get a better idea of the temp. you want and are working with. My pot after all these years and gosh knows how many lbs. of lead thru it has finally got a "one drip a minute" condition that I can live with.Robert

[captaint]

My Pro Melt is 20 years old. Have really no problems with it. The only time my valve gets funny is if it's dirty and the pot needs to be dumped & cleaned out. Keep the melt clean - don't overheat it, and all will be well. I'd buy mine again. enjoy Mike

[Lloyd Smale]

ive got two. there great pots.

[mold maker]

I just bought one at a yard sale for $60. It will replace a Lyman, which replaced a LEE. Each will be kept for a specific purpose. The RCBS will be primary for it's thermostat.

[seagiant]

Hi MM,
Once you start using the RCBS you'll notice the other pots just sitting under the bench gathering dust!!! Ask me how I know!

[hornady]

I bought the RCBS pro melt about a year ago. The only problem is how dumb I feel for fighting with the Lee pots all those years. The difference is like night and day, if anything ever happens to the RCBS, I would order another as soon as possible. Pricey yes but to me worth every penny.

[Le Loup Solitaire]

I bought mine in 78 and it has been in continuous use since without any problem of any kind. Always held the temperatures well and no dripping. LLS

[Old Caster]

The only pot that will hold temperature more accurate than a Pro Melt is a Waage pot but it isn't bottom pour. When it comes to bottom pour I feel that RCBS is king. It is accurate when it comes to keeping the temperature and it has a spout so it is possible to pressure pour. Some pots don't have a spout that will fit up to a mold. -- Bill --

[tinsnips]

It is like anything else in live you get what you pay for . They work great ,an they work great for a long time. You will be happy for years to come i have been .

[trixter]

the best

[jfischer]

I have 2 old sauce 10 pounders that will drip some. I only paid $35 for both so I just live with it.

[dbarnhart]

. I hate throwing good money after un-needed fix projects. God knows how much money I've waisted over the years trying to buy cheap on what I think is a good deal
Lunar

I hear you. In my case, I started with a Lee 10# pot I bought off another caster. It certainly made me appreciate the ProMelt