Lee lead pot gave up the ghost today

[fatelk]

Well, I went out and plugged the old Lee 10lb lead pot in again. Checked it again in about the time it takes to melt: nothing. Dead cold.

This thing has to be at least 15 years old. It was given to me used over a decade ago and I've used it quite a bit off and on. I tested it with a tester to find an open in the heating element, so I took it apart. Yea, you could call that an open in the element.

Oh, well. They don't last forever, do they? I'll have to wait a bit before buying a new one. I really need a 20 pounder anyhow.


ADDED: OK, I'm a dunce. I should have checked around a little first. Midway has replacement elements for $11. They also have the big 20lb pot on sale...

[snake river marksman]

In the "for what it's worth" column, Midway has the 20lb pot on sale for $57.00. I'm trying to figure out how to take advantage of that myself.

[cheese1566]

Sounds like you got your time out of it!

If you junk it, I would be interested in it for a rebuild. New elements are available from midwayUSA.

I just got my PID's so the knob "thermostat" isn't crucial.

[JeffinNZ]

Mine lasted about 15 years too. Can't complain.

[Ben-WSU]

Now you can melt the sprues/preheat lead in the 10# pot and cast like the wind from the 20# one.

[knifemaker]

My Lee 10 pounder is still working fine after 12-14 years of use. I recently bought the Lee 20 pounder on sale from Midway and have used it twice. I like it far better then the 10 pounder for the bigger mouth and time saved on refills when using 6 banger molds. I also do not have the dripping problems that I had with the 10 pounder.
I set my 10 pounder up for casting black powder conicals with pure lead and use the 20 for rifle and pistol casting.

[zuke]

I use my 10 pounder to melt the lead and when the 20 pounder get's low just pour it all in.
Talk about a quick reload!

[fatelk]

Now you can melt the sprues/preheat lead in the 10# pot and cast like the wind from the 20# one.
Good idea. I did see that 20 pounder at Midway, on sale until tomorrow. I had planned on waiting a long while before trying to justify buying any more "gun stuff" to my wife, but a new element and a bigger pot might just have to go on the credit card.

[Guesser]

I got 29+ years out of mine, it quit just before Christmas. I decided I needed the extra clearance of the taller 10# so I got one from Graf in record time. The problem with my old one was two fold, the seat for the pour stem valve was rusted out to the point that it was impossible to shut off and while I was cogitating on a fix for that I was still using it and it failed just like yours. Good machines!!!!!!!!!

[303Guy]

I'm planning on building my own from stainless steel and with an internal element. That way the element runs much cooler. But where to get a suitable element?!!

[lead Foot]

I'm on my 3rd element. Payed $145 for a 20 pounder not so long ago. I find I have had enough moulding after emtying the 10 pounder.
Lead foot;

[mooman76]

I bought the little 4# pot a few years ago and desided it was too small. I got the 20# pot and it works great. I still use the 4# pot but just for soft lead for my MLs. It 's good to have a second pot for two different leads. I'd fix the old and buy a new one too.

[Shiloh]

Well, I went out and plugged the old Lee 10lb lead pot in again. Checked it again in about the time it takes to melt: nothing. Dead cold.

ADDED: OK, I'm a dunce. I should have checked around a little first. Midway has replacement elements for $11. They also have the big 20lb pot on sale...

So buy the element, fix the pot. If you buy a new one, then you'll have a spare.:wink:
You could also run two pots.

Shiloh

[DLCTEX]

The element is also available from Lee Precision for $11, shipping is $4 and there is no minimum purchase.

[John Guedry]

I got a 10pounder a friend gave me about 15 years ago still going strong even after gettin pretty bent after being dropped on concrete.

[Fugowii]

I just fired up a Lee 10-pounder that was given to me this past summer. I usually run a Mag-20. Outside of the dreaded 'drip' it isn't a bad little pot. I got some plumber's ingots and had to turn them into one pounders with a Meppes so they would fit in it.

Made some very nice .445 round balls of very soft lead with a Lee mould.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i227/BP_2006/DSC_4180a.jpg