haxx5300 Posted February 6, 2013 Report Share Posted February 6, 2013 Yesterday I went through my Lee Pro IV pot and gave it a good cleaning. Followed instructions that I received on a previous post (almost 2 years ago) and now that I've put it back together after cleaning it drips uncontrollably. Even if I give the plunger a turn or two it continues to drip (its still a drip but quickly nearing a stream) making it extremely difficult to pour or get complete pours when I can fit it in between drips. I didn't do anything more than run a broken hook through the spout hole and lightly scraped the inside of the spout to try to remove some of the rust on the inside of it. Apparently by trying to make life easier I've managed to cause myself more grief and I'm hoping somebody here can help me find a fix without having to buy a new pot. Considering I've got a ton of standing orders waiting I need any help as fast as possible from anybody who has encountered this. Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteZipczech Posted February 6, 2013 Report Share Posted February 6, 2013 You may have some corrosion in your valve seat. How old is the melter? I think after time that area begins to corrode a bit and it has more trouble seating than usual. I would call Lee and see what they say. They may be able to help with some new parts. Apparently it isn't seating correctly for some reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadman Posted February 6, 2013 Report Share Posted February 6, 2013 haxx, You will have to pour out all the lead and take a look at the plunger. Maybe with your cleaning, you opened up the hole and like mentioned it doesn't seat as well as it did. I rarely ever clean my pots and they stay in the garage all year long. I do not recommend people cleaning pots because many times you want to over clean it and like you said made it worse. I will tell you the Lee will fix your problem for a minimal charge about 6-10 dollars. Tell them what the problem is and they will give you a new bowl and plunger set all fixed and ready to pour. I had my old pot reworked and it works beautifully now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smallmouthaholic Posted February 6, 2013 Report Share Posted February 6, 2013 Go to your local auto store and purchase a small tube of lapping compound..Disconnect the stem and put the opposite end in your drill. Put some L.P. on the end that seats in the opening and insert it until it stops. Turn on your drill and apply light pressure. You may have to replace the lapping compound a few times . My dripping pot drove me crazy until I called Lee and they suggest this. It worked like a charm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haxx5300 Posted February 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2013 My whole reason for cleaning was I was getting incomplete pours due to rust being expelled with the lead into my molds. Since my post last night, I have taken the spout out (for all that are or have wondered it does come out) and found A LOT or rust in it. I took a wire tube brush to it to get it out, which now it looks almost new, and the problem has gotten better but I still have a fairly steady drip. It looks as though I may need to order a new plunger and spout though, as after testing a few minutes ago the drip is MUCH better and manageable but still there. I don't expect that it will go away completely, even with new parts, but I'm afraid once I fill my pot with lead (I tested with probably 3-4 lbs) it will just get worse. Long story short, I'm dealing with a hand me down pot from somebody that NEVER fluxed, so now I'm trying to fix all the problems that come from not fluxing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haxx5300 Posted February 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2013 My whole reason for cleaning was I was getting incomplete pours due to rust being expelled with the lead into my molds. Since my post last night, I have taken the spout out (for all that are or have wondered it does come out) and found A LOT or rust in it. I took a wire tube brush to it to get it out, which now it looks almost new, and the problem has gotten better but I still have a fairly steady drip. It looks as though I may need to order a new plunger and spout though, as after testing a few minutes ago the drip is MUCH better and manageable but still there. I don't expect that it will go away completely, even with new parts, but I'm afraid once I fill my pot with lead (I tested with probably 3-4 lbs) it will just get worse. Long story short, I'm dealing with a hand me down pot from somebody that NEVER fluxed, so now I'm trying to fix all the problems that come from not fluxing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haxx5300 Posted February 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2013 Sorry for the double post. It's what I get for posting from my phone. Thanks guys for all the advice. Cadman, since you've been pouring for probably longer than I've been alive (no offense intended lol), and I'm sure you've fluxed from jump, do you have "drippers" with your pots?? Is this a necessary evil or can it be SOLVED?? Yeah, it's not an exact science by any means, so I'm sure there's really no guarantee to anything. I'm just curious, I guess, if I go ahead and order a new spout and plunger, as long as I flux regularly like I normally do, if the problem will become a thing of the past for me?? Thanks again to everybody. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jig Man Posted February 6, 2013 Report Share Posted February 6, 2013 My pot is over 25 years old and has made many thousands of jigs. I wore it out. For just a few bucks I got all new liner, nipple and plunger. Way cheaper than a new pot. Call the good folks at Do-It and see what they can do for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteZipczech Posted February 8, 2013 Report Share Posted February 8, 2013 My pot is over 25 years old and has made many thousands of jigs. I wore it out. For just a few bucks I got all new liner, nipple and plunger. Way cheaper than a new pot. Call the good folks at Do-It and see what they can do for you. I don't think Do-It carries parts for those meters but Lee Precision will likely help you with spare parts or a rebuild if needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatman Posted February 19, 2013 Report Share Posted February 19, 2013 I had 2 pots that were 25 and 27 years old and they WERE dead and I got mine replaced with BRAND new ones under the 1/2 price replacement program, for the price of 1 new pot I got 2 new ones. The lady told me anything over 10 years old they replace with brand new pots. You send them 1/2 the cost of a new one in their catalouge at LEE. Call them first!!! and tell them what's going on. (262) 673-3075. They'll ask you a few questions then tell you where to send it (but I listed it below) and ask them how much it should be. They'll ask for a credit or debit card but I called mine in after they got my pots. Put Tracking and Insurance on the box!!!!!!! Guarantee and Repair policy Lee reloading products are unconditionally guaranteed not to wear out or break from normal use for two full years or they will be repaired or replaced at no charge if returned to the factory. Our lifetime conditional guarantee states that any Lee product of current manufacture, regardless of age or condition, will be reconditioned to new including a new guarantee, if returned to the factory with payment equal to half the current retail price. Our address is: Lee Precision, Inc. 4275 Highway "U" Hartford, WI 53027 ATTN: 1/2 price replacement program Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadman Posted February 19, 2013 Report Share Posted February 19, 2013 (edited) haxx, I have 4 Lee bottom pour pots, one is a spare. They all leak or should I say drip. Some more regularly than others. I honestly believe that lead compostion has a lot to do with it, however I deal with it as it really isn't that big of a problem for me. So if you damaged your spout definitely go to Lee Precision like Fatman posted. Lee Precision Inc is the most honest company that I know of and they stand behind their product. I bought a used pot three years ago and it had a liner problem, they looked at the model and fixed it for free. I also had a pot that was about 12 years old that my spout leaked from the liner. They only charged me $6 to replace it. So what I did was call them up and explain the problem. The gal told me to send it back with a note explaining the problem with my contact info. They assessed the problem and called me back with the cost to fix it. They are very reasonable and honest. I would do business with them time and time again. Really good people and dedicated to take care of your problem.Don't hesitate to contact them. PS. I also do have an RCBS pot, and that pot never , ever drips. It is a 20 lb model and it is made for pouring a lot of lead. The RCBS pot is the cadilac of pots, however it is also $350.00 + Edited February 19, 2013 by cadman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smallmouthaholic Posted February 19, 2013 Report Share Posted February 19, 2013 (edited) ""I guess, if I go ahead and order a new spout and plunger, as long as I flux regularly like I normally do, if the problem will become a thing of the past for me?? Thanks again to everybody." I've been pouring lead jigs for 28 years and have always fluxed. plus clean the sides 4-6times a yearThe continued dripping drove me nuts. I called Lee and they suggested removing the stem ,put the slotted end into a drill and then applying lapping compound on the male end. I used medium rpm's and reversed directions several times along w/applying lapping compound 3x's. NO more drips. Look @ the end of your stem before lapping then look again after finished. You see a smooth difference Edited February 19, 2013 by smallmouthaholic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
