Lee Pro 4 20 LB furnace

[Wheeler]

Is this a decent entry-level furnace? Midway has them for sale for $57.99. I'm a complete noob to casting so I'd like to get a good starter kit put together before I try my hand.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=645810&cm_cat=Reloading_1&cm_ite=Product2_Image&cm_lm=sp:wheeler686@windstream.net&cm_ven=Spop-Email&cm_pla=Reloading_82520114_1&CustNum=103352867

I've been reloading for about ten years but it's been more of an economical means of providing ammo to shoot IDPA and some other venues. I haven't done much to experiment until recently. As I'm wanting to start shooting my .32's more I'd like to be able to provide a source of ammo that doesn't require selling off body parts to buy factory.

Thanks for any help.

Wheeler

[metweezer]

I just purchased the melter myself and I am sure that you will be happy with it. It is a little cheaper here: http://www.fmreloading.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=FMR&Product_Code=90947&Category_Code= and the shipping is $10.00.

[Wheeler]

Thanks metweezer. I appreciate the feedback.

Wheeler

[Ole]

Welcome Wheeler.

I have a Lee 4-20 pot and i've very pleased with it. A good $30 lead thermometer would be a good investment to have if your intent is to make the best bullets you can.

The temperature control is the only weak point of that furnace, IMO. The lead tends to get hotter as the pot empties in my experience.

[Ole]

P.S. Don't load 20lbs of lead in the pot the first time you use it or you'll end up with 3 or 4 lbs of it on the table. :) I usually start mine with 14-16lbs and it's plenty full.

[Mauser Rat]

I started with a 4-20 and still use it. It's a fine piece of equipment given that it does NOT have dependable temperature control. But this does not stop you from casting good boolits. You just have to watch the temperature and I will second the response that suggested getting a $25 lead thermometer so that you can keep an eye on the temperature. NOE sells a nice pot thermometer for about $25 or so plus shipping.

I just built a $100 PID which lets me set and hold a temperature on the 4-20 but it was a long while after I started casting that I decided that I wanted that ability and many here never put anything like a PID on their 4-20.

[geargnasher]

+1 Ole.

Best bang for the buck by far, I can't seem to wear mine out. Take some of the money you saved and buy a good analog thermometer so you can keep an eye on temps. You might have to adjust the temp control from time to time as you cast to keep the temp even, which is important to making consistent boolits.

Lube the moving parts NOT immersed in lead with two-cycle premix oil, preferably TCW3, that will keep the guide screws from binding on the linkage.

Gear

[Dannix]

Best price on a good analog thermometer:
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showpost.php?p=1159353&postcount=34

Or if you wish to support one of our own:
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=102777