Thinking About A New Pot

[GregLaROCHE]

I’m thinking of upgrading to better casting pot. My Lee bottom pour has served me well, but maybe life could be better with a more, shall we say advanced pot.

What are my options and in what price ranges are they? I don’t want anything automated, just something that works better and hopefully with a built in PID. What advantages and improvements can I expect? Anything to stay away from?

Thanks

[Randy Bohannon]

I am very happy with the RCBS PID controlled unit and I really like the RCBS Pro Melt bottom pour. There was a company in LA that made after market parts for these like covers for them upgraded linkage which made my Pro Melt much easier and consistent.

[GregLaROCHE]

I am very happy with the RCBS PID controlled unit and I really like the RCBS Pro Melt bottom pour. There was a company in LA that made after market parts for these like covers for them upgraded linkage which made my Pro Melt much easier and consistent.

Are these two different models you are talking about or the same one?

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

If you have the money to spend, I'd go with a Master Pot.
https://www.magmaengineering.com/masterpot/

I probably would have ...and wish I would have...back when I started casting, if I knew then, what I know now. But I now have two Lee 4-20 pots and a portable PID, and that serves me well enough.

[GregLaROCHE]

The Magma pot is listed for $600. Then there is digital controller for another $250. Do I have to get that to have it PID controlled?

[GregLaROCHE]

These upper shelf pots, do the drip less than the Lee pots?

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

The Magma pot is listed for $600. Then there is digital controller for another $250. Do I have to get that to have it PID controlled?

I would assume so...but honestly, I haven't looked into it.

[lightman]

My older ProMelt pot drips much less than a buddies 10# Lee pot. Actually it doesn't drip at all.

[GregLaROCHE]

Jon_B
What do you see as advantages in the Magma pot over the RCBS pro melt or the Lyman Mag pot, besides the capacity and therefore higher power heating element?

[GregLaROCHE]

In reality, unless convinced otherwise, probably in the price range of the RCBS and Lyman pots. How do they compare. Is there a third brand in the similar price range?

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Jon_B
What do you see as advantages in the Magma pot over the RCBS pro melt or the Lyman Mag pot, besides the capacity and therefore higher power heating element?

That is a good question. I haven't used any of them, so I can only assume the build quality is better and more heavy duty, than the Lee. I have plans to rebuild one of my Lee 4-20 and have the parts I ordered from Lee a couple years ago. The actual pot part, that is exposed to molten Lead, is very thin, the spout seems small/light duty. All the linkage/actuator arms and such seem light duty compared to the images of the other brands. Now with that said, the Lee has worked well for me ...So thin and light duty parts seem to get the job done, and may last 20+ years. The other brands look much more robust and will likely last a couple lifetimes...and then maybe your grandchild will rebuild it and use it for a third lifetime ;)

[StuBach]

I did the same research a few years ago.

I ended up picking up a used ProMelt 1 to replace my Lee 4-20 and it was a world of difference. Knowing what I know now I wouldn’t have ever bought the 4-20 and just gone straight to the PM1 when they were available. I run mine with a PId bought from a member (OBIII?) on this forum and it’s nice cause I can move it from pot to pot and some actually use their PIDs with their Pc oven as well.

Sadly the PM1 is no longer in production but good conditioned used ones can be found from time to time on here and fleabay. Never heard of anyone disliking this model.

The PM2 has had mixed reviews due to the built in PID. Because the PiD is built into the housing with the furnace it gets hot and has to have a fan blowing internally to stay cool. Because of this there is a powered up cool down procedure that takes a while when you’re done casting where I prefer to just unplug and walk away. Those who have good reviews love them though and the bad reviews sound like they just neglected proper cool down and fried their Internal PiD. Last I knew PM2s were also out of production due to manufacturing issues assumed to be Covid related (Chinese parts?) but used ones pop up from time to time.

Read some on the Lyman Mag25 PID unit and it had similar reviews and concerns to the PM2.

Magma melters are creme de la creme machines that carry the price tag to match but likely you’ll get amazing service out of them. Magma is a great company to deal with and they stand behind their stuff. As with most things, you get what you pay for and with them your getting a lot of value and American made.

Personal recommendation is wait till you can find a good PM1 for a decent price and upgrade then. In the mean time you can get an external PID and use with your Lee till you can upgrade and then just move the probe over and keep going. Hatch makes good ones from what I understand and he still offers them last I looked.

[Targa]

I was looking very hard at this Pro Melt 2...https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1018681680

[GregLaROCHE]

Now I understand better. The PM1 didn’t have the built in PID. One of the reasons I am thinking of up grading is to get PID controlled temperatures. Plus if I continue with my Lee 4-20, I should probably overhaul it. It seems to drip more and need adjustments more than before.

Does anyone have advice on the Lyman Magma? It looks like the mold support is only suitable for their molds and would need to be modified for Lee molds. They tend to be a little more expensive for basically the same thing as the PM2. Is there any good reason for that?

[GregLaROCHE]

I just looked at the Lyman mag 25 on their website. It says it can be used with Lee molds. Have they modified it? According to some youtube videos, it has to be modified to use Lee and NOE molds.

[Burnt Fingers]

I have a digital timer on my Pro-Melt 2. I just push the 2 hour button and walk away. Two hours later it shuts off.

I have both a PM1 and a PM2. I almost bought a second PM2 this last time Midway had them in stock but decided to leave them to someone who probably really needed it.

[GregLaROCHE]

So it really has to run a long time after you stop casting? Two hours? Probably the amount of lead left makes a difference. When you are done, how do you turn off the heating element? Turn down the temperature setting? Does the fan ever turn off on its own after it cools down?

[Harles Dawson]

I’m thinking of upgrading to better casting pot. My Lee bottom pour has served me well, but maybe life could be better with a more, shall we say advanced pot.

What are my options and in what price ranges are they? I don’t want anything automated, just something that works better and hopefully with a built in PID. What advantages and improvements can I expect? Anything to stay away from?

Thanks
I have a master caster converted to master pot that I like very well. I’ve cast about 3500 pounds of wheel weight ingots so far. You can get them from Magma Engineering with a PID. I’m sure they cost more than RCBS pot but have a 40 pound capacity. Check them out before you buy anything else. Harles

[gpidaho]

I have three casting pots. The basic Lee, the Lyman Mag 20 bottom pour and one of the last of the RCBS original Pro Melts. The RCBS is by far the best of the three. If you can find a used one, you'll be happy with it. Gp

[Burnt Fingers]

So it really has to run a long time after you stop casting? Two hours? Probably the amount of lead left makes a difference. When you are done, how do you turn off the heating element? Turn down the temperature setting? Does the fan ever turn off on its own after it cools down?

You need set to PID to 0, that stops the heating elements. Cool off time will depend on the amount of melt in the pot and the ambient temperature. When it's 100 out it takes longer to cool off. On those days I have a small fan blowing on the pot when I turn it off.

The fan never quits running on the pot.

[Mal Paso]

I have a PM1 and a PM2 and I use the PM2.

[Guardian]

I've got a Magma Master Pot. Its the only pot I've ever owned, so I can't compare it to anything.

I'm of the mindset that I'm too poor to own cheap tools. I can't afford to keep replacing them. I also understand that good tools make work easier. I tend to do a lot of research before making a purchase. I read a lot of posts here and, at the time, the majority of people were pushing the RCBS bottom pour pots. But, that was because few had the Master Pot. The guys that had Master Pots were very consistent in their praise for the unit. I acknowledge that there is a tendency, particularly on internet forums, to praise our own choices. However, it is a rare item that you can't find one bad review on. I have never seen a bad review of a Master Pot.

When guys acknowledged that the Master Pots do drip occasionally, they were descended on by the LEE fanboys and berated that their fancy pot was no better than a LEE. That's going back to promoting what we have as the best instead of looking at the facts. Yes, a Master Pot will drip....when you let crud get into your alloy and end up with a piece of grit holding the plunger from fully seating. Its an operator problem, not an inherent design issue. But, the worst drip I've had has been a couple drips per minute and it subsides with use (getting the grit out). I've never worried about the pot dumping its contents.

The Master Pot comes with a mould guide; but I ended up taking mine off and arranging another system because it was designed to work with 2 cavity moulds and interfered with MP HP moulds with the pins sticking out the side and didn't allow enough room for the length of the 4+ cavity moulds.

The Master Pot melts 40 lbs of lead in what seems to me to be a short amount of time. I plug the pot in, plug the hot plate in, fill up and light two kerosene heaters, turn on the oven, and by the time the moulds are up to temperature, so is the pot. It also recovers quickly from a refill.

I have used an external PID on the Master Pot. It really isn't necessary. Mine ended up on the oven and I haven't felt the need to buy another. The thermostat works well enough for what I do. That said, the temperature will increase by about 50 degrees if the pot is allowed to drop below 1/3 full. I'm sure the Magma PID would integrate nicely, but it isn't worth the money to me.

I've had one opportunity to interact with Magma after the sale regarding an issue. I'm not sure what the reason was, but after we moved from GA to TN, the Master Pot would top out at 715 degrees F. I called, explained the issue, got put through to an engineer, and had an answer in minutes. It required me to adjust a screw in the thermostat. It was nice to get someone who knew exactly what to do.

If there is a down side to the Master Pot, its that it is an unequal workout on the left side of your body. My left trapezoidal muscle is noticeably larger than the right. The operating rod for the pot is on the right side, forcing me to use my left for the mould all the time. MP brass moulds are beautiful and work great, but they are not light. Thus, the left arm and shoulder get more workout. (You'd think the right side would catch up from all the press work, but no.)

I do wear gloves while casting. The operating handle on the Master Pot is all steel and gets very warm, warm enough I don't want to do it bare handed.

I only have the single nozzle on mine, but Magma does sell a double nozzle for the Master Pot. I've got all I can handle keeping one nozzle and cavity lined up at the time, though.

It is a fair bit of money to buy a Master Pot, but it is not overpriced in my opinion.

Overkill is highly underrated.

[zarrinvz24]

I've got a newer Lyman MAG-25 and I love it. I've had it about 18 months and there have been no issues at all.

[Murphy]

I own several LEE pots, 10 & 20 pound bottom pour style. They've served me well over the decades. Of course the infamous drip is something one learns to live with. I haven't minded it all that bad. Then one day I found myself wanting to upgrade. I decided to go with the RCBS Pro Melt. I've not regretted it.

The Magma Master Caster pot is a dandy as well. I owned one for several years that fed my Master Caster. I decided to go with a 20 pound pot instead. Times change, and so does ones need. These days while I cast from my Pro Melt, I toss my sprues into one of my LEE pots and let them melt, less down down between pot refills.

Murphy

[Guardian]

I looked at the Master Pot again tonight and realized I was wrong. It is possible to change the side the operating handle is on.