Need Info On Lee Production Pot

[Cub48]

A friend of mine loaned me his Lee lead pot. I have used it but need to solve a few problems. When I first started it up it was leaking at the valve I cleaned it the best I could now it leaks only at times. Does the valve screw out so you can clean it. Or how is the best way to clean the valve. Next when filling the molds if i put the valve into the mold it will run the lead into the hole next to the other or maybe just a little drip in the hole enought to stop the hole up. Most of the time I get 6 out of 8 to fill. How is the best way to fill the molds. I heat the molds this is not the problem. Also the temp is ok I run it on 7 or 8. I flux the lead also.Thanks Cub48

[BBK]

A friend of mine loaned me his Lee lead pot. I have used it but need to solve a few problems. When I first started it up it was leaking at the valve I cleaned it the best I could now it leaks only at times. Does the valve screw out so you can clean it. Or how is the best way to clean the valve. Next when filling the molds if i put the valve into the mold it will run the lead into the hole next to the other or maybe just a little drip in the hole enought to stop the hole up. Most of the time I get 6 out of 8 to fill. How is the best way to fill the molds. I heat the molds this is not the problem. Also the temp is ok I run it on 7 or 8. I flux the lead also.Thanks Cub48

If this is a IV, simply turn the valve stem with a screwdriver to stop the leaking. And when you let go of the handle, push it down. sometimes this helps to stop it.

The best way to fill molds is to open it full blast for however long it takes to fill the cavities to the top of the gate (sprue), stop the flow, and move onto the next cavity. I like to hold the mold about an inch below the spout.

[Cub48]

I have done this with the screwdriver and it helped. I think this is the pot before the iv as someone has put spacers under it to give it more room for the mold. I know the more you use it the better you get. I bought some power paint yesterday from Harbor Freight red and white these will make pink so i have three colors for the price of two. wanted to try before buying a lot of different colors. Thanks Cub

[BBK]

I have done this with the screwdriver and it helped. I think this is the pot before the iv as someone has put spacers under it to give it more room for the mold. I know the more you use it the better you get. I bought some power paint yesterday from Harbor Freight red and white these will make pink so i have three colors for the price of two. wanted to try before buying a lot of different colors. Thanks Cub

Red and white harbor freight powder does not make pink. It makes a salmon color, I've tried. Still a great crappie color, but its not pink.

[Cub48]

Salmon will be ok. Could you tell me how you do your jigs. I have not done any yet. but have read about how just want a jump on making them look the best. I have been using the jigs just bare. But my favorite color is red. Cub

[BBK]

Salmon will be ok. Could you tell me how you do your jigs. I have not done any yet. but have read about how just want a jump on making them look the best. I have been using the jigs just bare. But my favorite color is red. Cub

Pour out some powder paint into a small cup until its about 2" deep. Then take a small screwdriver and mix the powder until its smooth and fluffy. Take your jig and heat it via a torch, lighter, candle, heat gun, ect. when it is heated, quickly swoosh it through the powder. Hang the jig to cool or dunk in a glass of water. Then take all your finished jigs into the house and hang in your oven (middle rack) for 15 minutes at 350. You can't chip that paint. I've hit it with a 3lb hammer until the jig was flat and it did not chip.

MAKE SURE YOU CLEAN THE EYES OUT BEFORE BAKING!

I bought a bunch of 4oz plastic jars with lids off ebay for my harbor freight powder paint, works great!

For the "pink" do white powder and add red until it gets the color you want. Be sure to mix real well, cap the jar and shake if you can.

[Cub48]

I went out to the shop this afternoon and poured some lead. The pot I am using is not a IV I looked it over someone put 1/2" spacer under the bottom so the mold will go under it . But it still needs more clearance if the lead puddles up on top of the mold it is hard to get it out to go to the next gate. Next I cleaned the valve as good as i could before adding the lead. I think it leaks more than before. I have been looking at the pin valve, it is not in the lever good. What holds it in place? Does the pin ride on the housing in the back or is the pin designed to snap on the lever. It is not mine so fixing it the way i would might not be an option. But i would like to know how it is suposed to be, the lever may be bent and not putting pressure on the rod like it should or the aligment is off. I tried several different ways pouring but it is not working like i want it to or the way it is supposed to work. I can pour with a laddle and have 8 good jigs but so far 6 out of 8 is the best i can do. Now I tried the paint out, here is the best way i found to work I have a heat gun heat jig a few seconds swish it in the power tap off excess then heat until paint turns shiny then hang it on the side of a metal bowl to cool. Painted eye with paint pen. (not hook eye) After trying several ways this seem to work best. not over heating the jig first is best if you over heat too much powder sticks and they don't look good. Thanks Cub48

[BBK]

I went out to the shop this afternoon and poured some lead. The pot I am using is not a IV I looked it over someone put 1/2" spacer under the bottom so the mold will go under it . But it still needs more clearance if the lead puddles up on top of the mold it is hard to get it out to go to the next gate. Next I cleaned the valve as good as i could before adding the lead. I think it leaks more than before. I have been looking at the pin valve, it is not in the lever good. What holds it in place? Does the pin ride on the housing in the back or is the pin designed to snap on the lever. It is not mine so fixing it the way i would might not be an option. But i would like to know how it is suposed to be, the lever may be bent and not putting pressure on the rod like it should or the aligment is off. I tried several different ways pouring but it is not working like i want it to or the way it is supposed to work. I can pour with a laddle and have 8 good jigs but so far 6 out of 8 is the best i can do. Now I tried the paint out, here is the best way i found to work I have a heat gun heat jig a few seconds swish it in the power tap off excess then heat until paint turns shiny then hang it on the side of a metal bowl to cool. Painted eye with paint pen. (not hook eye) After trying several ways this seem to work best. not over heating the jig first is best if you over heat too much powder sticks and they don't look good. Thanks Cub48

The weight on the handle should force the plunger down, it will not be tight at all. Lee says you should never clean or take apart the valve. These things always leak, there is no way to stop it. Best way I've found to prevent it is to:

1. Keep your lead good and hot

2. Flux often

3. When your done with a cavity, push the lever down. Dont just let it fall.

4. If need be, turn the plunger back and forth with a screwdriver (pushing down) until it stops.

It must be the 20lb version you have.

[GDille]

Try and keep your pot full, it helps.

George

[Cub48]

I didn't take the valve out other than the pin I cleaned the pin then heated the pot up and took a small wire rod and rubbed the trash from the hole the pin fits in. It is not the 20 lb I think it is a older verison of the 10 lb pot. The valve will stop if you turn it with a screwdriver. I think the alignment is part of the problem may take a small wire and put around the pin and pull it to the lever. Right now the lever will move the pin up and down but it is not seated on the lever wire good. Cub48

[BBK]

I didn't take the valve out other than the pin I cleaned the pin then heated the pot up and took a small wire rod and rubbed the trash from the hole the pin fits in. It is not the 20 lb I think it is a older verison of the 10 lb pot. The valve will stop if you turn it with a screwdriver. I think the alignment is part of the problem may take a small wire and put around the pin and pull it to the lever. Right now the lever will move the pin up and down but it is not seated on the lever wire good. Cub48

It has to be loose as lead expands and contracts. If it was tight, it would break under stress.

[Cub48]

Hi BBK

I poured some jigs last night and they did very good. I took a lite guage wire and wraped it around the top of the pin to hold it in place on the lever rod its not tight but still holds the pin on the lever. It will leak a little but you can turn it and it will stop I think this is normal as i have read other threads. I powder painted about 60 night before last. I have a heat gun heated the jig swished it thru the powder tapped excess off on side of jar put on toaster oven rack cooked for 10 min on 400 turned out good painted eye on jig with a black paint pen. Thanks for your help Cub48

[BBK]

Hi BBK

I poured some jigs last night and they did very good. I took a lite guage wire and wraped it around the top of the pin to hold it in place on the lever rod its not tight but still holds the pin on the lever. It will leak a little but you can turn it and it will stop I think this is normal as i have read other threads. I powder painted about 60 night before last. I have a heat gun heated the jig swished it thru the powder tapped excess off on side of jar put on toaster oven rack cooked for 10 min on 400 turned out good painted eye on jig with a black paint pen. Thanks for your help Cub48

Glad I could help, now go out and catch some fish! It feels great catching fish on your hand made jigs.