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Thread: When did the Lee 4-20 change design?

  1. 03-11-2021, 04:01 PM #1
    LEADHOPPER
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    When did the Lee 4-20 change design?

    Got a newer Lee 4-20 bottom pour pot and noticed that Lee changed the valve rod. When did they do this? And better yet why would they do such a thing. The older pot has a small screw to adjust the flow of lead, now the new one has a threaded valve rod. How are you suppose to turn the rod to clear the spout if it starts to drip, without having to adjust the darn thing everytime?

    LH
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  2. 03-11-2021, 06:16 PM #2
    Targa
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    I am not familiar with the old one so I am a bit confused by the question. You adjust the flow on the new ones with the small screw at the top of the spout, above the handle.
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  3. 03-11-2021, 06:22 PM #3
    onelight
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    Quote Originally Posted by LEADHOPPER View Post
    Got a newer Lee 4-20 bottom pour pot and noticed that Lee changed the valve rod. When did they do this? And better yet why would they do such a thing. The older pot has a small screw to adjust the flow of lead, now the new one has a threaded valve rod. How are you suppose to turn the rod to clear the spout if it starts to drip, without having to adjust the darn thing everytime?

    LH
    Lee has a video on that very thing on the Lee web sight , they show turning it 2 revolutions to the right and back then 2 revolutions to the left and back to where you started.
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  4. 03-11-2021, 06:30 PM #4
    LEADHOPPER
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    This is the one on my older pot. Guees they did away with the extra screw for the adjustment. If it drips you just rotate the vavle stem and no adjustments are changed.

    Click image for larger version.  Name: 16155016614727745451637671729426.jpg  Views: 53  Size: 26.4 KB  ID: 279390
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  5. 03-11-2021, 09:15 PM #5
    Keith Haveman
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    I'm getting the upgraded stem and handle to check it out as my old style when I rotate the stem the screw also turns . LOL
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  6. 03-11-2021, 09:37 PM #6
    Mk42gunner
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    leadhopper, my old 4-20 was like the one you show. Once I got its flow set acceptably, I never adjusted it again. I did twist the valve rod a few times though.

    I think they changed it four or five years ago??? Seems like there was a lot of talk about it then. I didn't really pay much attention, I had already upgraded to a used Promelt.

    Robert
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  7. 03-11-2021, 10:58 PM #7
    JonB_in_Glencoe
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    why would they do such a thing?

    Because it's an improvement.
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    “If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun.”
    ― The Dalai Lama, Seattle Times, May 2001
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  8. 03-12-2021, 01:09 PM #8
    LEADHOPPER
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    Quote Originally Posted by Keith Haveman View Post
    I'm getting the upgraded stem and handle to check it out as my old style when I rotate the stem the screw also turns . LOL
    I'll trade you if you want the new style. I've got a brand new valve never been used and a used handle.
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  9. 03-18-2021, 09:22 PM #9
    Cosmic_Charlie
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    I must have the new style. I adjust the flow as the pot empties. Never had much trouble with drips.
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BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
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LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check