Lee pot replacement parts

[glassparman]

I know you guys have an old thread on here somewhere about this very topic but Lee still rocks the free replacement parts.

I bought a Lee pot used at a gun show some years ago. Just really started using it now but it had a slow drip. I tried to clean up the seat but made it worse.

Went to Lee's site and the pot & rod were free and I only paid a buck for the screws. Of course I paid the $12 for shipping but otherwise this was awesome customer service!

 

[hporter]

Congratulations.

Seems like every time I order spare parts directly from them, they give me half the order free of charge. I have never figured out what triggers it, but I appreciate it very much.

I laugh when I read feedback on Lee Precision on the internet forums. It reminds me of Amazon reviews. People either love them, or hate them. Not much middle ground. I have a lot of Lee equipment, and fortunately I can state they have always treated me right in my correspondence and business with them.

Good luck with your pot.

 

[Ian]

Uh, those are supposed to drip constantly. It keeps the alloy temperature at the nozzle hotter and makes more consistent bullets.

 

[glassparman]

Yeah thanks Ian. I wished I would have known that before. I did make it a LOT worse and it was unusable.

 

[Ian]

If you stick the rod in a lathe and turn down the rod to 3/16" diameter only in the area where it is submerged in the molten alloy, stopping just above the tapered valve end, it will help a lot. The large volume displacement of the rod under the melt makes it buoyant. Or buy a 4-20, re-taper the valve seat to about 20 degree included angle, thread the top of the rod to match the threads in the steel knob, put the steel knob on top for direct, in-line weight on the valve rod and really easy flow adjustments, and make a WOOD handle for the lifting mechanism so it doesn't burn you, the furnace will function as well or better than any bottom pour made (well, except for only holding 18lbs of wheelweight metal and not having a high-tech thermostat).

 

[JonB]

Seems like every time I order spare parts directly from them, they give me half the order free of charge. I have never figured out what triggers it, but I appreciate it very much.

As I understand it, Lee's formula in their online order form allows for 1 part each, free on automatic warrantee, even if the product needs multiple of same part. Also, some of the parts have been coded as non-consumable. The automatic warrantee, as I understand it, is for consumable parts only. There is always the option of calling them, Some of their people tend to be fairly generous in regards to failed products...but some, not so much.

 

[Reloader762]

I was able to order parts for my Lee 420 pot and four hole turret press several years ago and only had to pay $10 shipping to basically rebuild the pot to like new condition and have some spares for my press. But effective June 2018 North Carolina was one of the states Lee want collect internet sales tax on, so no more free replacement parts or anything off the Lee site for me anymore.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

As to the leaking valve on the Lee Drip-O-matics, there are a lot of fixes.
I pulled the rod out, chucked it in a drill, cleaned the tip up with some 600 grit sandpaper. I then put a dab of fine valve lapping compound on the tip, put the rod in the valve seat and with some very light pressure, lapped the rod to the seat. I cleaned everything up, reassembled it all and it is much better now.

That shouldered bolt that acts as the upper stop for the operating handle is another source of headaches. You need to diassembe the sides of the pot, crimp the aluminum channel a bit tighter so that the screw has a bit better purchase. I'm sure there are better fixes, but that works.

 

[Mitty38]

My lee only drips like 3 or 4 times. When it first warms up.
Is there something wrong with it?
I was thinking about filing on it a bit, so it drips more.
Maybe I just have not used it enough to break it in yet?

 

[Reloader762]

Since I've rebuilt my Lee pot which included change out the old style valve rod assembly for the newer Part #EL3427 and valve knob #EM1120 as well as replacing the valve spout #EL3451 and nut #FE3464 my pot rarely ever drips, when it does it usually because some trash was in my melt and eventually worked it way down to the bottom and compromised the seal.

I've also seen individuals add a coiled wood stove or grill poker handle to the top end of the valve rod to add additional weight and downward pressure to the valve rod, as well as aid in quick adjustments to the flow. It's also a good idea to just drain the pot and clean the valve rod and spot on occasions, as heat does deteriorate it somewhat over time and crud builds up on both.

I have a friend that has a machine shop and one of his clients is a mfg. of aluminum foil and he constantly is making replacement parts for the smelters valve assembly, due to the constant interaction with high heat they just burn up over time.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

All my LEE Parts come from FS or Titan Reloading. (Mostly Titan). Both are factory associated locations. Shipping and service has been very good from Titan.

CW

 

[Jeff H]

The reason my two obsolete versions of their 10# pot leak (more than they should) is that the rod turns a little with each pour. The square notch cut into the top of the rod, into which the horizontal leg of the wire handle goes, starts to hold the rod slightly up/open. Part of my "timing" for each pour cycle includes a twist of the rod with the edge of the spoon I use to scoop up errant sprues and shoo good bullets aside. If I fix this, it might just mess up my rhythm.

I could easily fix it, but have been wondering if I should just get a new 20# pot. The orifices on the old ones I have are worn and let too much lead flow, so I can only fill the pots half full or they gush and make the weirdest-looking bullets. I could fix that too by drilling it out and threading it for an insert, I suppose, but I'm sure that once I did all this, some other obsolete part I can't make will die and I'll have to buy a new one anyway.

Off the wall: Spell-Check has a problem with "sprue," so it always makes me wonder that if bullets are "boolits," elsewhere, then shouldn't sprue be "sproo?"

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

I like my lil 10# LEE pot! Its a dedicated pure lead melter for some time now. Sure it drips more than it aughta but melts lead very well.

 

[Ian]

My ancient and semi-retired 4-20 is dedicated to "other" alloys, usually pure lead, in fact it's about to get used to make some more .454 round balls.

 

[blackthorn]

Quote: "Off the wall: Spell-Check has a problem with "sprue," so it always makes me wonder that if bullets are "boolits," elsewhere, then shouldn't sprue be "sproo?"

My spell check has a drop down "menu" when I click on the so called misspelled word. One of my options is to "add to dictionary"------no more problem.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

Part me wants to get a Lyman or RCBS bottom pour furance but another part of me likes the challenge of keeping a cheap Lee 4-20 in service.

 

[burbank.jung]

I recently repaired my Lee pot switch the company replaced for free. I am very grateful for their service.

 

[richhodg66]

I had a little Lee ten pound pot, I rebuilt it a couple of times, seem to remember Lee charged me for the parts but that was a long time ago and they were inexpensive. Finally got tired of fighting with it and got a Lyman.

Lee did me right recently ordering a complete bushing set for a Load All shotgun reloader. Odrdered the parts on their site, built the cart, checked out, thought I was paying for all the parts, but when they arrived, all I was charged for was shipping. Good support for sure.

 

[Matt_G]

As to the leaking valve on the Lee Drip-O-matics, there are a lot of fixes.

The best fix IMO is to just plug the opening permanently and turn the thing into a dipper pot.

 

[Glaciers]

^^^^^ This.
I have 2 LEE 4-20 pots, one is a ladle pot the second is a bottom pour which is plugged. I’m just stuck on ladle casting.