Casting Furnaces

[Swindler1]

Looking to update an old Lee pot. What are your opinions on RCB PRO MELT vrs Lyman Mag 25?

[engineer401]

I have a RCBS Promelt. It was extremely reliable when I used it. I switched to ladle casting so now it sits.

[dannyd]

I would stay away from Lyman till they get the bugs worked out of it.

[ioon44]

For me the RCBS Promelt is the only choice, because of quality and customer service.

[lightman]

It would be hard to beat a Promelt.

[Walks]

Remember that Guanantees from both only cover two years because of the electronics.

I have the old pots from both. But when one does die,

I will buy a new RCBS pot. Even though the display is on
the side. RCBS still has the BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE.
Lymans has gone down the tubes.

And I understand the the N.O.E. mold guide now fits the new RCBS pot

[swamp]

I have two Pro-Melts. One for alloy, one for pure.
swamp

[kevin c]

I started with a Lee 4-20 and recently refurbished an old ProMelt. Now for volume casting the 4-20 acts as a feeder pot for the ProMelt. When casting in smaller volume I just use the Promelt - greater capacity, much less dripping, and more space on top to preheat ingots. Temp control I think is better on the RCBS, but honestly it's dial is off, and both units are on PIDs now so no matter.

If I needed a new pot I'd go for an old US made ProMelt as first choice, and the new model as a second. I have no experience with the Lyman.

[KenT7021]

The new RCBS pot and the Lyman Mag25 are both made in China.My Mag25 hasn't had any problems.

[kungfustyle]

if you get an RCBS get it from Brownells.com and wait for a sale they are always doing a $10/20/30 sale. However, they offer a lifetime on everything they sell.

[OuchHot!]

I have had a promelt since about 1980.....it was originally ohio thermal and bought out by rcbs. It still works (the first one smoked out of the box....Mary Cabella handled the return). I have been using a lyman 25 for only about two years but no problems. The problem here is seething hatred for all things lyman so I cannot say much more. In my experience the Lyman is better in many ways, but not if it quits tomorrow or starts a forum hate fest. My lyman molds are also.........well better not go there.

[dannyd]

My Lyman Mag 25 lasted over two years. Both RCBS and Lyman have no parts, so if it breaks under warranty they send you one if it breaks out of warranty 175.00 will get you one. The first mold guide from NOE did not work for the Lyman Mag 25 but been told they fixed that. I just went back to my Lee 20 lbs pot and a PID unit.

[NoZombies]

I've had older generations of each, and I have had no issues with either, but I have had better customer service overall from RCBS on everything. I have no hatred for Lyman, but their CS certainly isn't up to the standard of RCBS.

[Dragonheart]

Another vote for Pro-Melt.

[lightman]

I have had a promelt since about 1980.....it was originally ohio thermal and bought out by RCBS

I was trying to remember who made those for RCBS. I think you are correct.

[dannyd]

I was trying to remember who made those for RCBS. I think you are correct.

If you look in old Handloader magazines you will see the add for Ohio Thermal

[bobthenailer]

I have a older RCBS pro melt been using it for over 25 years with no problems , I usually make between 5K to 10K bullets a year ! that's a lot of lead dispensing !

[Dragonheart]

Cooked these yesterday. The first PC batch of over 15K bullets that the old Pro Melt poured out this last week. There are 900 of the H&G #7, 9mm bullets per 1/2 sheet baker's tray, times 5 trays in a single cook. If my Pro Melt died today I would order another.
236562236563

[Lloyd Smale]

had two lyman 25s lost the in a fire. they were good pots. replaced them with 2 rcbs pros. they are great pots. there more expensive but if you can afford it there a better pot and worth the extra money.

[Burnt Fingers]

My two pots that I use the most are an older RCBS Pro-Melt and a new RCBS Pro-Melt. The older one is full of pure lead for lure and jig casting and the new one is full of bullet alloy.

My main complaint about the new one is that it sits lower and is harder to see the spout. Of course I'm comparing it to the older one.

[RKJ]

I've got a Lyman 25 and like it, it's a lot better than the lee (but then again it's quite a bit more $$$). I'd buy another one, but would like to try the RCBS.

[Swindler1]

Thanks all. I will be waiting for Brownells to get the RCBS back in stock.

[Taterhead]

It is an interesting time. Probably no better time for the availability of great quality molds. But with the retirement of the Pro Melt, we are basically left with Chinese made units from Lyman or RCBS and the Lee. That is unless stepping way up to a Magma. I do love my Pro Melt.

[rcslotcar]

I have an old black Ohio Thermal (rcbs) pot that has been great for many years. When it stopped heating I was going to buy a new one. I opened it up and saw that the off/on switch looked over heated. I replaced the switch and expect it will last another 40 years. I would suggest you get the RCBS.

[LongRangeAir]

I switched My three year old Promelt to pull down rather than lift for pouring, and it really helped with old age and the visits from Arthur. ;<)

I really enjoy the Pro-Melt!

KnifeMaker

[dannyd]

Well trying the new RCBS pot this time ordered Pro Melt 2 off Amazon for 188.00 with tax and shipping. See how this one works.

[trapper9260]

My Lee 10lb pot heating element went on it .I had replace it about 2 to 3 years ago and did not think it would go that fast. Now Lee dose not make the element anymore. I am use a Lyman Big dipper now. In time will look into another bottom pour but not now . Like to hear bout RCBS what you all are saying about them

[Valley-Shooter]

My Lee 10lb pot heating element went on it .I had replace it about 2 to 3 years ago and did not think it would go that fast. Now Lee dose not make the element anymore. I am use a Lyman Big dipper now. In time will look into another bottom pour but not now . Like to hear bout RCBS what you all are saying about them

Do you mean this part? https://leeprecision.com/new-heater-500w120v.html

239373

[David2011]

It’s hard to beat the original Pro Melt. Mine is almost 40 years old and still going strong.

[dannyd]

It’s hard to beat the original Pro Melt. Mine is almost 40 years old and still going strong.

Your pro melt stopped being made years ago even the last Pro Melts that looked like yours were made in China. We will see how this on does.

[trapper9260]

Do you mean this part? https://leeprecision.com/new-heater-500w120v.html

239373

Yes that is the part ,they have them for 20lb , but not the 10lb. that I found. Or I miss it some where for them.

[Mike W1]

Yes that is the part ,they have them for 20lb , but not the 10lb. that I found. Or I miss it some where for them.

I believe the 20 lb. pot takes the 700 watt element. Lee's site shows the 500w above for the Prod Pot IV as above. Seems to have been a part number change is all.

[trapper9260]

I believe the 20 lb. pot takes the 700 watt element. Lee's site shows the 500w above for the Prod Pot IV as above. Seems to have been a part number change is all.

Ok thank you for your help .

[Conditor22]

trapper, call lee, their # is at the bottom of their web page Lee Precision | 4275 County Road U | Hartford, WI 53027 | phone (262) 673-3075

[trapper9260]

I had check Lee and see what they wanted for it, then I check Titian that there banner on here also and they had ask for less then Lee have and have one on the way now. Thank you all for the help. It will give me more time to play with when I want to up grade if I find the money for one. I have this Lee 10lb for I forgot how many years now. But a long time.

[David2011]

Your pro melt stopped being made years ago even the last Pro Melts that looked like yours were made in China. We will see how this on does.

True, but when they show up at gun shows or yard sales they’re still hard to beat. I didn’t intend to suggest that they’re available new.

[Captain*Kirk]

Not sure if the new Pro Melt II is like the Easy Melt, but that one has reviews saying you need to leave the internal fan going for 2-2.5 HOURS to avoid cooking the circuit board. That's kind of a turn-off to me. Love the quality and built in temp control, but...2.5 HOURS?

[Burnt Fingers]

Not sure if the new Pro Melt II is like the Easy Melt, but that one has reviews saying you need to leave the internal fan going for 2-2.5 HOURS to avoid cooking the circuit board. That's kind of a turn-off to me. Love the quality and built in temp control, but...2.5 HOURS?

The PM II has an internal PID. You need to let it cool off before you unplug it.

[Captain*Kirk]

OK, same as the Easy Melt then.
I like them 'on paper' a lot more than the Lee funaces (Lee Magnum Melter is ladle-pour only, (no spigot to drip) holds 20# lead (supposedly) and has a manual temp rheostat but no built in temp control or thermometer), but the potential for cooking a PID if your fan fails or if you pop a fuse or CB has me leery. One of the reviewers on the Midway site said his fan quit after a few hours of operation while casting and it in turn fried the PID.
That worries me. You could buy 3 Magnum Melts for the price of one PM II, and 2 for the price of an Easy Melt.

[Dragonheart]

Knowing what I know, if my old Pro Melt died I would search to find a used one or look into making my own pot. For the dollars a good pot costs it would easily pay for the needed materials and it doesn't look like it would be that difficult to make a pot capable of holding twice the amount.