What furnace/melter would you buy?

[pdgraham]

I’ve currently got a Lee Production Pot bottom pour.

I have to say that of all the Lee bullet casting crap I’ve bought this has been a decent tool but it just doesn’t hold enough lead to keep 6 cavity molds busy and I worry that when fall and winter come this won’t have enough poop to melt lead outside.

So, I’m thinking of upgrading to the Lee Pro 20 Furnace, $48 from Boses.

Here’s a link.

http://www.bosesguns.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2060

It looks like I could ladle out of it if I had to.

Would you buy this or am I just tossing more money away on cheap Lee stuff.?

Will it pump out enough heat to melt 20# of lead when it’s 40 degrees outside? (I cast on the back porch)

What would you buy?... if you were retired with limited resources….

[MGySgt]

pdgraham,

I have both a Lyman and a Lee Pro Melt 4 - it will definately get your lead hot enough in 40 degree weather. I had mine on at 20 degrees - the Lee got hotter then the Lyman Mag 20. Of course the Lee always did get hotter then the Lyman, even after I adjusted the thermostate on the Lyman.

Heating the lead will not be your problem, keeping the aluminum molds hot enough might be when it getss down below freezing.

Drew

[pdgraham]

Thanks for the info MGySgt..

I'm going to order the Lee...... and try to get some Lyman molds..

[carpetman]

pdgraham---My one and only pot is a Lee. I have had it several years--no complaints. I would have a hard time justifying a more expensive one. You mentioned getting some Lyman molds. I have both Lyman and RCBS molds and very easily the difference for RCBS is justified. It's really not that much more and I was charged to have a Lyman repaired---that doesn't happen with RCBS.

[StarMetal]

I've had my RCBS since the 1980's. Nary a problem with it...I wouldn't own anything else...nuff said.

Joe

[RANGER RICK]

My first pot ( and I still use it ) is a lee pro 20 pound . I have migrated to a Castmaster 90 pound pot to handle my three cavity moulds . No problem of running out of hot lead for sure !!! With my heavy weight moulds I could not keep enough lead in the pot .

RR

[David R]

RCBS promelt for me. It holds 22 lbs, has a nice working thermostat. I think it runs a little hotter than it says on the dial. Had it for 7 or 8 years. Love it.

[MGySgt]

Thanks for the info MGySgt..

I'm going to order the Lee...... and try to get some Lyman molds..

pdgraham - I started out with Lyman molds and every once in a awhile I screw up and buy another one.

The comerical Molds - Lyman and RCBS - there is no comparison between the 2 - RCBS is a much better mold (IMHO).

Starting out - I would recommend RCBS molds -

Now who is going to try and Draw and Quarter me????? Or for the Sailors around here: Keel Hull me????

Drew.

[castalott]

RCBS PRO MELT gets another vote...

I have no idea how much lead it has melted but it could easily be in the tons! I broke the bottom nozzle out once...RCBS fixed it for free!( Also brought it up to near new with new parts. ) That was after 8 years or so... The thermostat went bad some years after that....RCBS fixed it again for free! ( And practically rebuilt it to new AGAIN!) Again ...no charge but my shipping to them.

Quality doesn't cost...it pays!

[Willbird]

I have an RCBS Pro-Melt, have had it for 6 mos or so, I like it, I only wish it went to 900 degrees instead of 800. That has never been an issue, but if some is good more is better eh ?

Bill

[beagle]

RCBS Pro Melt is the way to go IMO. I have two. One's a spare. I had one bought from E-Bay with a leaking pot and sent it back in and got it repaired. Can't beat that warranty despite the higher cost.

Why two? I don't want nothing to stand in my way when I'm casting bullets and a bad furnace isn't in the plans...../beagle

[LAH]

I started with a Saeco 10 pounder. Out grew it and went with a 40 pound Magma. For most hobby casters I think the RCBS is the way to go.

With what do you feed alloy Ranger Rick? A wheelborrow?

[9.3X62AL]

Yet another vote for the RCBS Pro-Melt. Quality only costs ONCE.

[RANGER RICK]

I started with a Saeco 10 pounder. Out grew it and went with a 40 pound Magma. For most hobby casters I think the RCBS is the way to go.

With what do you feed alloy Ranger Rick? A wheelborrow?


LAH

You would think so !!!!
One of my three cavity moulds is a .512 Dia and casts 735 gr bullets , total of 2,206 grains of lead per pour . I usally run two moulds at the same time . Thats why I use the bigger pot .
I do think the ingots I use are about 10 pounds a piece !!!!

RR

[LAH]

It may have been you several moons ago that sent us a picture of the Master Pot and the home made mould guide? I'm impressed.

I use 8 pound bars in my 40 pounder without any trouble. I lay them on the pot to preheat though.

[Cherokee]

I started with a Lyman pot and hot plate mannnny years ago. I have used Lee ever since they came out with the electric pot. I presently have two 20# pots that work just fine with my 1,2,4 & 6 cavity molds. Considering the cost, the 10# Pot that finally gave out together with the two I have now still have not cost as much as an RCBS or Lyman electric pot. But then, that's me. I'm thinking about Lynn's Magma pot the next time I need one.

[RANGER RICK]

LAH

I also preheat the bars of lead on the rim of the melting pot . I still have my lee hooked up and I still use it when I am using a couple molds at a time . Here is a couple pics of one area I cast with my lee.

RR


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/RANGERRICKQUIGLEY/131-3131_IMG.jpg



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/RANGERRICKQUIGLEY/131-3130_IMG.jpg

[LAH]

Nice pictutes Rick.

[Bret4207]

One of the high points of being a confirmed ladle man is that I can spend my $250.00 on something other than a pot. If'n I was a bottom feeding type, er, bottom pouring type, I'd aim for the RCBS. I'd end up with a Lee you understand, but I'd aim for the RCBS.

[fiberoptik]

Droool, droool. I don't even have a place to play, let alone ORGANIZATION!!! WoW!
Care to adopt??

[robertbank]

Man alive you are one serious caster. Very nice set-up indeed! I am not worthy.

Stya Safe