New lee 4 20 pot dripping but not from spout

[jimmyUT]

Fired up the Lee for the first time today and made my first boolits. 12g slugs came out good after I got the hang of casting after about 30 slugs or so. The pot is dripping like crazy. Not from the spout itself, but from the metal housing/washer that the spout comes through. I am posting a pic to show where but its not the greatest quality so hopefully you can see it. So is this defective and will Lee replace it? Or is there a sime fix I am over looking?

Notice the hardened lead. That is where its dripping from. I probably put 4 lbs of drip back in the pot in an hour.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/19/aqa3utap.jpg

[Sweetpea]

Defective.

Contact LEE.

Don't be surprised if you have to pay shipping.

[jimmyUT]

Damn. That blows

[JSnover]

Defective.

Contact LEE.

Don't be surprised if you have to pay shipping.

Yep. Easiest fix is to send it back.

[Sweetpea]

Who did you buy it through?

Maybe they have a return policy?

[Sweetpea]

OR have it welded...

[jimmyUT]

Amazon

[jonas302]

Returns are usually pretty easy on amazon and free so I would send it back that way

[VHoward]

Amazon will pay the return shipping for you. Get them to exchange it for a new one.

[jimmyUT]

Ok. Ill check with them tomorrow. Thanks guys

[Westwindmike]

Be sure to get all your lead out first! No need in giving any away.

[jimmyUT]

That was actually my next question. I dont have an ingot mold so what should I pour it in. Got about 8 pounds in there

[jimmyUT]

Well. Looks like im gonna have to fall off the wagon. :)

[Mk42gunner]

Make sure the cans are DRY before you start pouring liquid lead into them.

Robert

[Chilmonty]

Have been wondering how much the recent craziness, and the scramble to get product out the door, might have effected quality.

i think we may be finding that out! :sad:

[geargnasher]

First time I've heard of one leaking around the spout, usually it's through that hole in the middle! Definitely a defect.

Gear

[usmcscout]

Fired up the Lee for the first time today and made my first boolits. 12g slugs came out good after I got the hang of casting after about 30 slugs or so. The pot is dripping like crazy. Not from the spout itself, but from the metal housing/washer that the spout comes through. I am posting a pic to show where but its not the greatest quality so hopefully you can see it. So is this defective and will Lee replace it? Or is there a sime fix I am over looking?

Notice the hardened lead. That is where its dripping from. I probably put 4 lbs of drip back in the pot in an hour.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/19/aqa3utap.jpg

I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IT IS MY FIRST ONE DID SAME THING

It's the nut holds the spout to bowl MINE was cracked from time I got it hotter it gets the more it leaked
whatever you do don't leave it unintended it will turn into a 20 lb chunk of lead the pot that is

typical lee **** I HAD high hopes at one time but I think I must been high lol
I have gone through 2 yes "2" and ATE THE COST ON BOTH

[dragonrider]

Empty the pot and check the nut holding the spout in, could be cracked as said, I betting it is just loose. Remove nut, remove spout, clean the area of lead, reinsert spout, attach nut, tighten securely. Anything other than that, send it back to Lee.

[gtgeorge]

Had one myself that did this and the fix ^^^^^^ exactly as the above post. It hasn't leaked since. I had to heat the nut with a propane torch though as it was seized up and wouldn't tighten until I did. No need to waste $$ on a return that can be fixed yourself IMO.

[jimmyUT]

Thanks for th tip on the fix. Ill have to check if thats it

[RobS]

+ 1 here. My first Lee pot did this many moons ago. Several years later I had issues again and just welded it.

Empty the pot and check the nut holding the spout in, could be cracked as said, I betting it is just loose. Remove nut, remove spout, clean the area of lead, reinsert spout, attach nut, tighten securely. Anything other than that, send it back to Lee.

[jimmyUT]

So exactly what nut are you talking about? The spout doesnt seem to be attached to any nut

[tnpaw]

I have one! It dripped out the spout for 18 years! Bought a new 20# dip pot and a good ladle! Liked it so much I plugged the spout in the old one and took all the other **** off and now have two good pots! One dedicated to black Powder Boolits and the other dedicated to all my hard cast, WW Boolits ! More production , less aggravate! The key is a good ladle!

[RobS]

So exactly what nut are you talking about? The spout doesnt seem to be attached to any nut

on a 20# pot:
http://leeprecision.com/parts/bullet-casting/electric-melters/pro-4-20lb-parts/

[jimmyUT]

There is no nut on my spout though. The spout is loose and moves up and down ( not the long rod that sets into the spout but the spout itself)

[RobS]

So underneath the round aluminum shield (you will need to disassemble the bottom of the pot) on the bottom there is no nut that screws onto the spout?

[jimmyUT]

Ah I see said the blind man as he picked up his hammer and saw

Didnt know I had to disassemble the pot.

[BNE]

I have seen this once. The pot is EASY to disassemble in order to get your lead out of it. You can use aluminum foil for an ingot mold. Fold it over something smooth and pour into it. (You will have to support it with something.) Make them small enough to get them back into the pot. You could also just pour it out onto the aluminum stand. Let the puddles get a couple of inches in diameter and then let them cool. This will go faster than you think.

[magnetik]

yep happened to me on a new pot. I guess they don't tighten them down all the way. I ended up draining the pot and taking a pair of pliers and tightening the spout good. no more leaks.

[dragonrider]

Sorry I should have mentioned dissassembly.

[Swede44mag]

Were you able to fix the leak or did you have to send it back?

[jimmyUT]

Unfortunately ive been swamped this week and havent had a chance yet to check it out. My goal is to look at it tonight. I will update once I do. Thanks for all the help

[jimmyUT]

Well. Fixed it fired it up and pot was making a horrendous noise so I swapped it out for another with amazon. No charge to me for return shipping. Obviously a pot that should not have passed inspection. Got a new one in the mail this week :) spout nut is nice and snug. Gonna fire it up today