The RCBS Pro Melt is the most expensive of the "Big Three" melt furnaces. Street price is about $365 more or less. If you look at the components of a melt furnace you will see: one heating element, one bi-metal thermostat, one 22 lb pot (bottom pour) one on/off switch, sheet metal to enclose it all. Finding prices online for RCBS furnace parts are non-existant. Prices for Lee products are available and a search will find heating elements (700 watts) lead pot (20 lbs) bi-metal thermostat and pin rod shut-off rod all for less than $85. Then add some extra for sheet metal enclosure and insulation, lets say brings the cost up to about $100.
The new melt pots only have a two year warranty according to their website, the lifetime warranty is a thing of the past. In my experience their customer service leaves something to be desired, so "Where is the beef." Much of the online chatter on this forum and others expound on the quality of RCBS and the resultant Customer Service to justify the higher price. I will admit that over 10 years ago I called RCBS for an issue with a primer pocket swager and they sent a replacement part free of charge.
Recently I experienced a problem with my new (two months) RCBS Pro Melt furnace after attempting to drain the pot to chage the alloy. As per their instructions, "always keep about 1.5 inches of alloy in the pot and I suspect this has to do with overheating the heating element with no load on it. As I drained down the pot into my ingot molds using the bottom pour spout, when I reached the 1.5 mark, I shut off the power to the pot and contunued to drain the pot. All but a small amount drained out but enough remained once it solidified to capture the the lift pin valve and it could not be removed. I used a propane hand held torch to melt and free the pin and clear the nozzle of the pot.
Once I reloaded the pot with the new alloy the nozzle leaked one drip about every four seconds where it did not leak before. At this point I suspected I had warped the pin or the bottom of the pot and caused an alignment problem. I decided to call RCBS to see what they suggested.
When I called Customer Service I was referred over to the correct department and no one answered but I was was promised a call back within 24 hours. When the next day arrived and no call back I call again and left another message with a promise to call back within 24 hours. When the third day arrives i am pretty irrate and after complaining to the only live person I could get on the line, and threatening to phone the CEO of the parent company of RCBS, I was refered to a so called tech support person who claimed to be knowledegable of the Pro Melt Furnace. After a brief conversation I realized she new nothing about the Pro Melt. She did agree to send a new pin rod to see if that helped.
Once the new pin rod arrives I'll install it and if the pot still leaks I'll send it back to RCBS for warranty repair. It will go up on ebay after the leaking issue has been resolved.
I have since purchased a Lee Magum Melter for $65 and at 700 watts is equal to the Pro Melter in that reguard. I have also purchased a laddle and will cast by boolits by ladle. My molds are all large boolits in the 535 gr .45 cal, so ladle pouring will be better in the long run. I regret the day I purchased the RCBS Pro Melt pot.