Lee Pro IV $135

[saxguy]

Just thought you fellas over the pond should know how lucky you are. I just ordered a Lee Pro IV, which as you know are around $60 in the US….. Locally here in NZ they are $155NZ (about $135US).

I have had a 10lb Lee for, oh, 30+ years I guess. I have loaded many thousands of rounds with it, okay with a ten year break (UK pistol ban) until I moved to NZ. It has been dragged from one place to another ie spare room, garden shed/s, survived a container shipment junked in with other gear, now resides in my workshop reloading room… and yes, it still does the business!
I can’t remember what I paid, but maybe around 30 pounds or so back in about 1982 I’m guessing! If that isn’t value for money, then seriously, what is?
Ive just got a bit fed up with constantly re-filling, waiting for melt etc. I was hankering after a RCBS, but to get one here would cost about $500 or thereabouts… if I got stung with duty and import taxes, you could add another $150 to that!
So, like many have suggested, Ill go the Lee way, and pimp it up with a PID controller. I’ve seen one for about $22 including shipping (China). Has all the bells and whistles, and with a SSR and a K type thermocouple will come out at less than $45 , I'm guessing I will knock up a doozie of a casting pot for less than $200NZ

[dikman]

I know what you mean, saxguy, it's pretty much the same here in Oz. I bought a ProIV from Titan Reloading, cost me about AU$150 shipped. They're available here for the same price, but the problem was back then no-one had any!! My RCBS cost around AU$525 shipped! (At least there's no import duties/taxes if I keep it under $1000).

If you're handy with tools, do what I did and modify it by replacing the handle with one made like the RCBS has. It's a fair bit of messing around, but in my opinion it transforms the pot!!! No drips, easy to adjust the flow rate and much nicer to operate.
Adding a PID is the icing on the cake .

[saxguy]

Not sure what you mean about the RCBS handle, but I will look into it if i can find any info. Thanks.

Hey, trying to see your avatar.... is that a forge you have running there? ummmm... interesting!

[USAFrox]

Yeah, we might have cheaper prices on reloading stuff... but we also have Obama. I think you win.

[jmort]

Still, not the worst deal, and beats using fire

[saxguy]

Yeah, we might have cheaper prices on reloading stuff... but we also have Obama. I think you win.

LOL... okay, you got me there!

[saxguy]

Still, not the worst deal, and beats using fire

Well no actually, when I look at the value I got from the first one, it is relatively cheap!... however, for most of our stuff, we pay about double and often more. Imagine if you had to pay that. Just food for thought. Also, I certainly cant even think of paying circa $700 for a RCBS.

[saxguy]

... also, anywhere from $60 to $100 for a 1lb of smokeless powder, just as an example.

[flyingmonkey35]

Link forthe cheapo pid

[saxguy]

Link forthe cheapo pid

Sure... www.aliexpress.com

free to join, its Chinas version of Ebay. I have bought quite a few things from here, only had one fail to turn up, and the seller then sent another which did arrive, and no charge.

Type in PID in the search box. You will see them from about $15 including SSR and Thermocouple, including shipping.

Caution, make sure you look at the specs, as some are only low temp etc.

I got a good one, cost $22 inc shipping with China post (long wait mind you).

Im going to get one for a wax melting pot too....

Hope this helps.

[williamwaco]

If you are upgrading from a Lee 10 pounder, you are going to LOVE it!

[dikman]

Hi sax, yep, that's my forge . Very handy for bending (thick) steel, melting lead (and brass) and making laminated steel.

There's a thread I started a while back with some photos of my mods.


This is what I ended up with.
The handle is far superior to the stock item on the Lee pot.

[saxguy]

Hi sax, yep, that's my forge . Very handy for bending (thick) steel, melting lead (and brass) and making laminated steel.

There's a thread I started a while back with some photos of my mods.


This is what I ended up with.
The handle is far superior to the stock item on the Lee pot.

... NOW we're talking!!!