My furnace died

[nvbirdman]

I was casting today with my Saeco bottom pour and it died. I bought it used in 1973 for fifteen dollars so I got my moneys worth out of it, but now I have a decision to make.
I am in my late sixties and have a good quantity of boolits from various molds. At my age chances are good that my boolits on hand will outlast me. If I knew that my grandkids would be interested enough in shooting to want to start casting I would not hesitate to order an RCBS furnace, but they're not old enough yet to determine that.
If I buy the RCBS I doubt that I will use it enough to justify the cost, but if I don't buy it it means that I will be giving up casting.
Help me out here guys, which way do I turn?

[Ben]

This might be worth looking at.

http://leeprecision.com/xcart/Precision-Melter-Reconditioned.html

I bought one of these in the early 70's and paid about as much as you see here.
It was used to cast a " bazillion " bullets over a 20 yr. period.

Ben

[Wots]

You are used to a bottom pour, I would go with a Lee. That way if the kids do not show any intrest, you would be out that much cash.

[deltaenterprizes]

A good used one may pop up also. Lyman is also an option.

[c3d4b2]

You should be able to fix the furnace. Below are some links with information. Seems like you are not the first to meet this misfortune and the predecessors who have tread this ground previously were kind enough to post their knowledge. Hope this helps.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=56602&highlight=saeco+melting+pot

http://pages.suddenlink.net/abittner/

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=17508&highlight=saeco+melting+pot

http://orders.ppe.com/odr/rbpperetail.htm?p-part=B-200

[buck1]

Fix it or get a new one of some kind.If you didnt enjoy it you wouldnt have still been doing it.
When you stop doing what you enjoy , THATS when we get old.
I dont know about you guys but I plan to live forever or die trying!!

[mold maker]

If there's no lead in Heaven, I'll be back

[GOPHER SLAYER]

My SAECO electric furnace quit and it was an easy fix. I took the cover off and found one of the connections had broken. I stripped some insulation off , resoldered it and presto, working again. Don't be afraid to pull the cover off, after all , it's not working and as they say in New York, it couldn't hoit.

[ronbo]

The saeco and lyman 61 like to burn the wires off the thermostat. If you remove the control knob and the screws that secure the thermostat, then the sheet metal cover over the thermostat. Can gain access to the wiring, repaired mine by using metal crimp connectors and a short section of copper wire and a new wire lug for the back of the thermostat. Both sides burned off at different times, chances are the heating element is still good, these are rigid like a stove element with flex wiring

[nvbirdman]

I will open it up and try to fix it. It don't work now, so it can't hoit.
If I can't fix it I will buy the RCBS. I probably won't use it enough to justify the price, but money spent on hobbies dosen't count as real money. Right??

[thebigmac]

[smilie=s: Hey--- I'm in my late 70's and just last year had to replace the thermostat in mine.
Use the web below, less than $30.00. When I opened it up, I found the wires had
Burned through. Easy repair and I expect it to last many more years. Try it,you'll it..Bigmac



http://orders.ppe.com/odr/rbpperetail.htm?p-part=B-200

[nvbirdman]

I melted lead today!!!
I opened things up and found the power cord had become detached (all that heat took its toll), so I got it reattached and the pot works again.
I have a new RCBS on the way so my Saeco will have a dignified retirement.

[DukeInFlorida]

Just cancel the RCBS order, and use the Saeco..... Why mess with success. Buy a dinner with the savings.


I melted lead today!!!
I opened things up and found the power cord had become detached (all that heat took its toll), so I got it reattached and the pot works again.
I have a new RCBS on the way so my Saeco will have a dignified retirement.

[hedgehorn]

I love things that were made to last. ;)

[milprileb]

CongratsNVBirdman: you are back doing what you like in life. Its worth every penny invested if the tools bring joy to your shooting life

[groot nadine]

Thanks for keeping old threads for the information. ordered a thermostat for the old girl..