Which lead furnace? (Lee, Lyman, RCBS)

[Hasaf]

I searched and saw threads on this; but they were all about ten, or more, years old.

I am thinking of getting back into casting. I will be casting for black powder. When I cast bullets before, also for black powder, it was about twenty years ago. I used a stove top pot on an outdoor stove.

This time I am looking a a 110V casting furnace. The two I am looking at are the Lyman Big Dipper and the Lee Four Pound Melter. The RCBS Easy Melt Furnace is also under consideration. While the RCBS looks significantly more expensive, it comes with a built in thermometer, which I would need to purchase for the other two.

Looking at the reviews, most people seem to be more dissatisfied with the low capacity of the Lee more than anything else. There is only one review of the RCBS. That review makes the RCBS sound pretty finicky. Overall, the Lyman seems to have the best reviews.

The reasons I am looking at pots and not bottom pour is that, firstly, a pot is what I used before; so less new learning. Secondly, The Lee Pro 4 has me a bit concerned about leaks. As for the Lyman and RCBS bottom pour, they are just more than I want to spend.

 

[Livin_Cincy]

Look at the LEE 20# melter: https://leeprecision.com/pro-4-20lb.html
Many use this with a PID Controller they made or purchased made for the LEE pot by somebody in the hobby.

 

[flashhole]

I have been using the Lee Pro 4-20 for several years. As to the "leaks", I put some washers on the handle to add a bit more weight when it seats closed. My lead is clean and I have never experienced a leak. The bottom pour feature is far superior to a ladle. There is virtually no learning curve. Flux the lead a few times during your pour session. It always amazes me how much dross is still in the lead when you think you have a clean batch. I like bees wax as a flux agent.

 

[rjbmjb]

I also have the Lee Pro 4-20. I have cast around 350 lbs of bullets with it over 5 years or so, and it is still going strong. I did buy a thermometer to monitor the temperature. I have had the occasional leak , but I just empty the pot and clean the hole and it stops. I tried using a ladle, but the bottom pour is much easier to use. I picked the Lee because I was new to casting and didn't want to spend a lot of money on something I wasn't sure I would use very much. I expected that I would eventually buy a Lyman or RCBS melter, but so far I am happy with the Lee and will probably buy another one if it does fail.

 

[captain awesome]

I have been very happy with my Lee 20lb pot. had it for 8 years and have cast many thousands of bullets with it. My only gripe is the mold rest/guide doesnt work well with some of my larger custom molds.

 

[dredd]

I have the Lee Pro 4-20 as well.
It will get a Drip and/or Dribble when it gets "dirty" as mentioned above.
It has been convenient for 45ACP & 38Spl so far.

I bought the Lee Magnum Kit (Still In Box) from a guy that decided he wasn't going to Cast.
I still have not tried it. The Pro 4-20 hasn't irritated me enough yet to switch methods.

 

[thomas15]

As for the Lyman and RCBS bottom pour, they are just more than I want to spend.

And there is the answer to your question.

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

I have the Lee 4, works good for what I do.
A bigger pot would be better for large quantities of heavy bullets.

 

[Chuck R.]

I've had Lyman, Lee and RCBS.

The best hands down IMHO is a WAAGE # K4757 20lb pot which is a "dipper" pot. It's runs for $275. Kind of funny cause they don't even list it on their website, so I had to give them a call to order one. They maintain temp which is crucial when casting the match grade big BPCR bullets

Buffalo Arms carries them:

https://www.buffaloarms.com/bullet-...furnace-115v-ladle-pour-850-degree-f-rcb99989

 

[Ken Yerian]

I use a Lee 4 lb pot for my black powder needs with pure lead. I also cast for all of my other pistols and rifles and use bottom pour furnaces for them with different alloys. Depending on how much you shoot the little Lee might be the best choice.

 

[FROGO207]

I have been thinking about getting the Lee bottom pour one myself to speed things up. I presently use a plumbers lead melting setup and a dipper.

 

[armoredman]

Been using a Lee 10 pound production pot bottom pour for some years now. It shows it's age, but it works. I wouldn't use a smaller size pot. I cannot answer to dipper pots - never used a dipper.

 

[solman]

I've had the Lee 10lb. pot for nearly 30 years still works great. I just added the Lee Pro 4-20 to my casting bench. Best bang for the buck I think. A minor drip now and again yes, but it's not a real big problem. I like the bottom pour pots I think it runs faster and less hand motions than ladle casting.

 

[edwardware]

I'm not an old hand at casting, but I've been using the Lee 20# for 4 years, and never had a problem that wasn't solved by turning the pour spout screw back and forth to clear it.

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

I like the bottom pour pots I think it runs faster and less hand motions than ladle casting.

Safer too.

 

[Walkalong]

But if you do choose a pot and a ladle, get a bottom pour ladle. That is what I used with my home made lead pot.

https://www.advancecarmover.com/rowellbottom-pouringladles.aspx

https://www.rotometals.com/casting-ladle-bottom-pour-rowell-1-2-1-4-bowl-diameter-9-handle-length/

 

[joed]

I started with a Lee 4-20. Sorry, but I've never had a high opinion of Lee equipment. The 4-20 pot worked but it couldn't hold a steady temp. I found that temps would vary by 200 degrees during use. My opinions are pay more for better equipment then Lee, you'll be happier in the long run.

After getting rid of the Lee I looked at Lyman, RCBS and Magma. I bought the Magma, figured buy once, cry once. If I hadn't planned on starting a cast business I would have bought RCBS.

 

[GT1]

Any of those ladle pots are fine, use the one that makes you and your wallet happy.


As far as bottom pours:
The Lee set up, which runs fine for 60 bucks, or the Lyman or RCBS for 300 bucks, which actually run the same and will also leak because it is the nature of bottom pour and not perfectly clean lead.They aren't made for melting down wheel weights and other scrap. They are made for either pouring ingots or into molds with already clean lead/alloy. People put junk in them and wonder why they leak. *shrug*

It isn't like it is a hard decision.
I have the 4-20.

 

[doubleh]

I don't cast a lot of bullets. I use the small Lee pot and it is so much faster and easier than a ladle. I use clean lead that has been melted and poured into ingots and I get a drip now and then. No big deal. I just drop the drip spot back in the pot when it becomes large enough to grab with a pair of pliers. My pot seems to hold a fairly even temperature as I get good bullets using it.