Hammy Posted February 27, 2010 Report Share Posted February 27, 2010 Was wondering which Lee melting pot to buy for pouring my own spinner baits/buzz baits? Barlow's didn't recommend a few of their pots for pouring spinners/buzz...wondering what others use?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TackleResource Posted February 27, 2010 Report Share Posted February 27, 2010 I'm actually wandering the same thing. I am getting really tired of using cast iron pots and cast iron ladels. Since its time for tax returns and I am looking at upgrading my soft plastic equipment and my lead equipment. I would like to know of a great lead melter with a bottom pouring spout. Even if its not a Lee I would really like some information. Thanx, Korey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammy Posted February 27, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2010 I'm actually wandering the same thing. I am getting really tired of using cast iron pots and cast iron ladels. Since its time for tax returns and I am looking at upgrading my soft plastic equipment and my lead equipment. I would like to know of a great lead melter with a bottom pouring spout. Even if its not a Lee I would really like some information. Thanx, Korey that right Korey...TAX RETURN!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TackleResource Posted February 27, 2010 Report Share Posted February 27, 2010 Yeah I love Tax Returns, lol. I just found one called a RCSB Pro-Melt 110V its $350 anyone have any experience with these?? Thanx, Korey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadman Posted February 27, 2010 Report Share Posted February 27, 2010 Korey, I don't have an RCBS melting pot, however I have heard a lot of good comments about their product. I use a Lee IV bottom pour pot. I have 3 of them, and for the money they are workhorses. I have one going on 7 years and still pours fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TackleResource Posted February 27, 2010 Report Share Posted February 27, 2010 I heard the Clearance on the Lee Pots isn't quite enough room to pour spinners and buzzbaits because of the wires. Is this true?? I will use what works the best. Helps that the Lee pots are cheaper too if thats the way I end up going. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadman Posted February 27, 2010 Report Share Posted February 27, 2010 You are correct, it could definitely use more clearance. I do not have problems with the spinnerbaits, however I think there was a problem with the bigger buzz baits. I would have to check. Also I have the Ultra-Minnow spinnerbait and the Keel buzz bait molds and both of those I pour straight soft lead because of pouring issues. With that said I use a hot pot for those as it is easier to use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlaery Posted February 27, 2010 Report Share Posted February 27, 2010 I had 2 RCBS pots and loved both of them (they both DRIP). I bought them when they were less than $200. I sold one very reluctantly. When you say clearence, do you mean the distance between the pour spout and mold or the overall distance, pour spout to base? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadman Posted February 27, 2010 Report Share Posted February 27, 2010 I had 2 RCBS pots and loved both of them (they both DRIP). I bought them when they were less than $200. I sold one very reluctantly. When you say clearence, do you mean the distance between the pour spout and mold or the overall distance, pour spout to base? I'm referring to the pour spout and the base. There is only 3-3/4" clearance. If I had at least an inch more, my spinnerbait and buzzbait mold with my wire form in them would fit in much more easier. The Lee pots don't have that. I am going to build an extension which will help solve my problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlaery Posted February 27, 2010 Report Share Posted February 27, 2010 I'm referring to the pour spout and the base. There is only 3-3/4" clearance. If I had at least an inch more, my spinnerbait and buzzbait mold with my wire form in them would fit in much more easier. The Lee pots don't have that. I am going to build an extension which will help solve my problem. I knew a guy that turned the base around, this was on the older lee pots that had the rectangle back. Just take the 4 screws out and turn it around and put the screws back in. Then screw the base to your bentch and then you have lots of clearence. Then he would leave a coffee can on the floor for the drips. My RCBS has an adjustable arm, small rod, to rest the mold on while pouring. This only worked if your hooks are not sticking out from the bottom of the mold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlaery Posted February 27, 2010 Report Share Posted February 27, 2010 I knew a guy that turned the base around, this was on the older lee pots that had the rectangle back. Just take the 4 screws out and turn it around and put the screws back in. Then screw the base to your bentch and then you have lots of clearence. Then he would leave a coffee can on the floor for the drips. My RCBS has an adjustable arm, small rod, to rest the mold on while pouring. This only worked if your hooks are not sticking out from the bottom of the mold. I want to stress that if you screw this to your bentch, make sure it is secure because that is a lot of weight pulling on those screws. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlaery Posted February 27, 2010 Report Share Posted February 27, 2010 FYI Looks like my RCBS has 5" of clearence Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadman Posted February 27, 2010 Report Share Posted February 27, 2010 FYI Looks like my RCBS has 5" of clearence You want to swap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlaery Posted February 27, 2010 Report Share Posted February 27, 2010 You want to swap. I already have 3 Lee pots and had some others that I got rid of. I guess I should try to sell them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TackleResource Posted February 28, 2010 Report Share Posted February 28, 2010 Great information everyone. Thank you. Looks like the RCBS is a good buy. A little pricey however. Still haven't made up my mind but I like the responses on this forum. Thanx, Korey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSC Posted February 28, 2010 Report Share Posted February 28, 2010 Just a note ... If Hilts still have them the wire frame points DOWN so that you do not have to worry about the clearance .. I have a couple of Spinner Bait molds from way back .. Will check to see how the latest are built ... Do It should make some this way as so many use bottom pour pots. 2 Cents worth JSC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSC Posted February 28, 2010 Report Share Posted February 28, 2010 I just checked out the PDF (2008) for Hilts and they do not state that they pour with the wire down but by having a couple (whcih have not changed) I would assume that they are the same. JSC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyo1954 Posted February 28, 2010 Report Share Posted February 28, 2010 Good info in this thread. I just picked up a Lee Production Pot IV at Barlows while I was in Dallas. Just from looking at it it appears you could turn the base around. You could always add extra height by cutting a 2 by 8, and attaching it to the reversed base. That would also add weight to the base. Still you would want to attach it to the table with heavy duty C clamps or several wood screws, or both. Reading about the stress on the joints eaves me wondering if it wouldn't be better to take out the end screws and replace them with threaded rod. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSC Posted March 1, 2010 Report Share Posted March 1, 2010 Fellows I dont see exactly why raising the heigth of the pot will do much good with the wires out the top of the mold .... UNLESS ... you are not holding the sprue to the pouring hole .. I have never had any good luck at leaving a gap between the 2 ... seems to cool to fast and you gotta be real accurate and looks like it would take a lot more time ... I just slap the mold to the spout and let her rip from one cavity to the next ... I have poured some spinner baits with a Do It with the wire comming out of the top but had to slightly bend the wire to one side... Clear me up if I am wrong about what you are talking about ....... JSC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadman Posted March 1, 2010 Report Share Posted March 1, 2010 (edited) Fellows I dont see exactly why raising the heigth of the pot will do much good with the wires out the top of the mold .... UNLESS ... you are not holding the sprue to the pouring hole .. I have never had any good luck at leaving a gap between the 2 ... seems to cool to fast and you gotta be real accurate and looks like it would take a lot more time ... I just slap the mold to the spout and let her rip from one cavity to the next ... I have poured some spinner baits with a Do It with the wire comming out of the top but had to slightly bend the wire to one side... Clear me up if I am wrong about what you are talking about ....... JSC I would like a 1" more clearance for the reason you mentioned. When I use bigger hooks in my spinnerbait mold, my wire forms rub against the bottom of the pot, so I have to bend them a little to be able to get the mold in to pour. When I bend them to get the mold in closer, sometimes the wireform is a little crooked on the bait, so when the spinnerbait cools, I have to bend the wireform back again to straighten it. This is more of an annoyance more than anything else. Edited March 1, 2010 by cadman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyo1954 Posted March 2, 2010 Report Share Posted March 2, 2010 I had to know. So I opened the Lee Production Pot IV and took a measurement from the base to the spout. Looks like 4 3/16" give or take a hair or two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadman Posted March 2, 2010 Report Share Posted March 2, 2010 (edited) I had to know. So I opened the Lee Production Pot IV and took a measurement from the base to the spout. Looks like 4 3/16" give or take a hair or two. Well they must be making them a little taller. You have 7/16 " more then my pots do. That's good to know. Edited March 2, 2010 by cadman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBK Posted March 2, 2010 Report Share Posted March 2, 2010 I had to know. So I opened the Lee Production Pot IV and took a measurement from the base to the spout. Looks like 4 3/16" give or take a hair or two. Mines a tad over 4" as well, just bought it last week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
