Weak Stream

[kbstenberg]

I just got a Lee Pro 4/20 pot. I was experimenting with some lead to see how it poured. It seemed to have a very slow flow rate. Today I'm going to make the first bullets with it.
If it does cast slow. What is the proper way to enlarge the hole? Honing, Drilling ?? And how would that affect the rod that starts an stops the flow?
Kevin

[plumber]

Did you fill it with clean ingots, or dirty scrap? It sounds like you've got some dirt in there, try emptying it out and cleaning out the hole with a wire.

[kbstenberg]

Thanks Plumber. All was clean premelted an fluxed.

[Tazman1602]

I just got a Lee Pro 4-20 and mine has a screw on the top that adjusts for flow -- did you get a used one or is it an older pot?

[plumber]

You could have a piece of stubborn lead under the valve. I had that problem on my pot. I'd still empty and go to town with a pick and wire to make sure the spout is clear.

[cast-n-blast]

Did you check its prostate ? Sorry, couldn't resist. With heavy gloves on, get a drill bit approx. the same size as the spout hole. When alloy is hot, insert, and twirl drill bit a few times. This will dislodge any crude in the spout.

[rufracer]

sounds like a personal problem.

Of coarse I only read the title.

[docone31]

Take a paper clip, bend one side out, and hold it with needle nose pliers and shove it in and out of the nozzle hole with the nozzle open.
It sounds like some zinc in there. It just cruds up the nozzle. Turn the heat up all the way also.
When I shut down the pot, I also turn the spigot nob. This pushes any crud away from the seal. I do not get a leak when I start up next time.
Mainly, if you used clean alloy, you might have some zinc in the melt. Zinc is ok, if it is stirred up. Once the pot is heated, at the top setting, stir the melt. I put Kitty Litter on top of my melt. This cushions the returns during casting, and scale is attracted to it.
I did not evacuate my pot, I turned up the heat.

[lwknight]

They pour kinda slow compared with some others when the melt gets below about 1" deep too.

[canebreaker]

I use a 5/64" drill bit on mine.
The one with the hex head on it.
Gives you something to hold on to.

[WHITETAIL]

:?Go with the easy things first.
Get a paper clip and bend it.
Get the pot as hot as it will go.
And have at it.
No danger of messing it up.
And then if that don't work.
Go ahead and try the clean
and drill approach.:castmine:

[TAWILDCATT]

dont drill out the hole or you may ruin the pot.adjust the screw.then read the directions.

[kyle623]

I would try adjusting the flow rate screw on the top first. I had to adjust mine when i got it.

[docone31]

You should be able to adjust the stream from the screw adjustment. Not a lot, but it will do multiple cavity .45 molds.