Castrating Lee 20lb Lead Pot

[Wrbjr]

Anybody out there plugged their lead pot permanantly? I want this one plugged as I will never use the bottom pour function again. Tired of the leaking. If you have any ideas... I am all ears..

[Skipper]

I welded mine......never been happier.




Anybody out there plugged their lead pot permanantly? I want this one plugged as I will never use the bottom pour function again. Tired of the leaking. If you have any ideas... I am all ears..

[Wrbjr]

Hmmm... wish I had that option....

[country gent]

Not sure on hole size but an approriate sized tap and screw would plug it up also. If hole is big enough a round head bolt thru with nut and washer on outside would work.

[dikman]

The nozzle is a replaceable piece, held on by a nut underneath. If you dismantle it to get access to the nut you could remove the nozzle completely and replace it with a suitable nut/washer/bolt combo.

[Charlie Sometimes]

Yep, couldn't stand the constant drip, drip, drip either. IIRC, I used a 6x32 tap and just tapped the spout and screwed a 6x32 SS machine screw (from outside to inside) into it. Get a screw that is quality, so if you do decide to remove it, it will come out with minimal effort. I ladle pour all of my boolit molds, and never achieved even reasonable results with a bottom pour spout.

[Wrbjr]

Yep, couldn't stand the constant drip, drip, drip either. IIRC, I used a 6x32 tap and just tapped the spout and screwed a 6x32 SS machine screw (from outside to inside) into it. Get a screw that is quality, so if you do decide to remove it, it will come out with minimal effort. I ladle pour all of my boolit molds, and never achieved even reasonable results with a bottom pour spout.

Thanks,... will probably try that tomorrow. Need to acquire a tap.

http://i1275.photobucket.com/albums/y441/bryan578/pot005_zps327dec47.jpg (http://s1275.photobucket.com/user/bryan578/media/pot005_zps327dec47.jpg.html)

http://i1275.photobucket.com/albums/y441/bryan578/pot008_zps0ebaf38d.jpg (http://s1275.photobucket.com/user/bryan578/media/pot008_zps0ebaf38d.jpg.html)

Wonder if there is some type of putty like liquid steel that would stand the temps.... I don't foresee ever using the spout again.

[VHoward]

Short of welding it, I don't see anything but a steel screw succesfully plugging it. JB weld burns up at about 525 degrees.

[Chill Wills]

I put a small self taping hex head screw it. Done. That fast. No more drip-o-roma!

[country gent]

Roto Metals sells a putty for plugging leaks that may work contact them and see what they recomend.

[Wrbjr]

Short of welding it, I don't see anything but a steel screw succesfully plugging it. JB weld burns up at about 525 degrees.

Yep, I saw that... not an option here.

[Wrbjr]

I put a small self taping hex head screw it. Done. That fast. No more drip-o-roma!


Well that is quick and dirty. I like it. Will try that first...

[Wrbjr]

Roto Metals sells a putty for plugging leaks that may work contact them and see what they recomend.


I may find a welder if all other efforts fail. I suspect I can plug it with local items... my fingers am crossed

[45 Zulu]

Drive a short piece of copper wire into the hole. plugs the hole and can be removed if you change your mind.

[Wrbjr]

Drive a short piece of copper wire into the hole. plugs the hole and can be removed if you change your mind.

Wow... you guys just keep getting more inventive as we go along... why didn't I think of that?

[VHoward]

More than one way to skin a rabbit. Just ask. Plugging with a plain piece of wire didn't occur to me either.

[2ndAmendmentNut]

My first Lee lead furnace dripped constantly. My plan was to put a self tapping sheet metal screw into it, but first I needed to bore out the spout large enough to get the screw to start. The drill bit snapped off plugging the hole and that little pot hasn't dripped once ever since.

Ended up getting a Lyman Mag20 which is about a million times better. I still use the Lee though for making scrap lead into ingots.

[Wrbjr]

:cbpour:I used a dremel tool and ground a #10 solid copper wire to a point and inserted into the bottom of the pour spout and tapped with a hammer until lodged and then bent it over 90 degrees and cut it off short. Will test it after lunch for leaks. I think this should work. Plus by removing all of the plumbing for the open and pour gizmo I have more room for top ladling. Maybe I can get back to bidness now.:cbpour:

[Charlie Sometimes]

The tapped hole (after removal of the screw), will make the metal swirl when it comes out! I ended up restoring the bottom pour capability and selling the pot. It was too deep to ladle pour out of for any extended casting session - you need a wider mouth and more shallow pot to dip from, IMHO. I just used the 5 lb. pots now.

[Fishman]

:cbpour:I used a dremel tool and ground a #10 solid copper wire to a point and inserted into the bottom of the pour spout and tapped with a hammer until lodged and then bent it over 90 degrees and cut it off short. Will test it after lunch for leaks. I think this should work. Plus by removing all of the plumbing for the open and pour gizmo I have more room for top ladling. Maybe I can get back to bidness now.:cbpour:

I would insert the wire from inside the pot so that the weight of the lead mechanically locks it tighter. Hate for it to pop out on you. Could be a disaster.

[Old Caster]

If you want to ladle cast, sell the LEE and buy yourself a Waage pot. The temperature control is excellent and it is wider so it is easy to get the ladle in and large ingots will fit.

[hickfu]

I have had mine for a few years now and never once did it drip... until one day it started, after the casting session I drained all of the lead out and looked at the hole. It had what I guess is antimony buildup on one side and it wasnt sealing properly.... It was a pain to get it all off but it no longer drips and Im happy happy happy.

Doc

[CPL Lou]

To keep mine from dripping I put some 600 grit lapping compound on the rod, chucked in a drill, and lapped it in. Worked like a charm ;)
I made sure I cleaned all the compound out before use (of course).
No drips ! Just thought I'd offer another option.

CPL Lou

[zomby woof]

The threads on my adjuster screw got wrecked. I ordered a new valve arm and rod. It doesn't leak.

[ohland]

The tapped hole (after removal of the screw), will make the metal swirl when it comes out!

Oh really now. This is not 1 April... So has anyone tested the swirl versus non swirl bottom pour?

:drinks: