Foto Joe
01-30-2014, 08:19 AM
On Tuesday the Big Brown Truck arrived with my new Lee Pro 4 20 pound pot and a couple of other goodies. Upon opening the box I violated the man code by actually reading the instructions then set about getting the new bottom pour situated on the bench and ready to go. As with all things "New" there is definitely a learning curve with this thing. Over all I like it and things move along quickly but there are a couple of "Note to Self" items I'll share.
Since first visiting Larry Gibson a couple of months ago I've gotten in the habit of running more than one mold when casting. Since I thought that I knew what I was doing I did exactly that by setting up a 429-214 and a 452-200, I probably should have stuck to just one mold for the first attack as it turned out, apparently I don't multi-task well on new things. While juggling two molds I was also trying to figure out the temp control and keep it constant. At some point in time things cooled off enough that the bottom pour spout got just a little too cool and decided to take a break. Although I DID read the instructions I DIDN'T bother to bring a paperclip out with me so after fiddling with it a little bit I gave up and went in search of the magic roto-rooter paperclip. Upon my return I then went to battle with my bifocals trying to hit that little hole with an equally little paperclip while my head is all cocked to the side wearing welding gloves no less. During the battle I made the mistake of adjusting the valve upward in attempt to get the paperclip far enough in to clear the cooled lead. (Oh yeah, I did try the BBQ lighter trick but my lighter is on its last legs.) Unfortunately at some point in time during this adjustment I ran the thing up and out of its threads but failed to notice. Well....when the paperclip finally slid through I says to myself "Self, that wasn't too bad once I actually found the hole", then removed the paperclip and VIOLA!! We have lead!! Given that I'm not a complete idiot I had of course put my little tart pan under the spout which was happily catching the molten lead as it exited but when I went to readjust the flow using that itty bitty slotted screw head on top I once again went to battle with my bifocals and when I finally got the screwdriver in it realized that I'd run it off the threads. Now with one eye on the tart pan rapidly filling and the other on that stupid screw slot, THE RACE WAS ON!! As you can see from the photo I did manage to get it stopped but I was definitely having visions of scrounging up a hack saw later in the day.
All in all I like this thing and my learning curve will continue to steepen I'm sure. I just figured that I would share what I can now grin about.
Since first visiting Larry Gibson a couple of months ago I've gotten in the habit of running more than one mold when casting. Since I thought that I knew what I was doing I did exactly that by setting up a 429-214 and a 452-200, I probably should have stuck to just one mold for the first attack as it turned out, apparently I don't multi-task well on new things. While juggling two molds I was also trying to figure out the temp control and keep it constant. At some point in time things cooled off enough that the bottom pour spout got just a little too cool and decided to take a break. Although I DID read the instructions I DIDN'T bother to bring a paperclip out with me so after fiddling with it a little bit I gave up and went in search of the magic roto-rooter paperclip. Upon my return I then went to battle with my bifocals trying to hit that little hole with an equally little paperclip while my head is all cocked to the side wearing welding gloves no less. During the battle I made the mistake of adjusting the valve upward in attempt to get the paperclip far enough in to clear the cooled lead. (Oh yeah, I did try the BBQ lighter trick but my lighter is on its last legs.) Unfortunately at some point in time during this adjustment I ran the thing up and out of its threads but failed to notice. Well....when the paperclip finally slid through I says to myself "Self, that wasn't too bad once I actually found the hole", then removed the paperclip and VIOLA!! We have lead!! Given that I'm not a complete idiot I had of course put my little tart pan under the spout which was happily catching the molten lead as it exited but when I went to readjust the flow using that itty bitty slotted screw head on top I once again went to battle with my bifocals and when I finally got the screwdriver in it realized that I'd run it off the threads. Now with one eye on the tart pan rapidly filling and the other on that stupid screw slot, THE RACE WAS ON!! As you can see from the photo I did manage to get it stopped but I was definitely having visions of scrounging up a hack saw later in the day.
All in all I like this thing and my learning curve will continue to steepen I'm sure. I just figured that I would share what I can now grin about.