Lee Plastic Production Pot

[ALLENRODS]

has anyone used the Lee Plastic Production Pot if so are they worth it. seems to me it might make life easier.

[maximusgunn]

I use the bigger one (20 oz.) It does make it alot easier if you're going to pour alot of baits of the same color, you don't have to keep re-heating plastic and your color is more consistent. I can pour roughly 120 baits, depending on the size of the bait. You just have to be carefull and keep an eye on the tempature otherwise you will burn the plastic. Other than that I really like using the pots. If you have any questions email me and I will try to help.

[rxfish]

I have 6 of the smaller Lee Pots. I monitor the temperature with candy thermometers. I pour between 300 and 325 degrees and always keep the pots full. I preheat the plastic in a microwave, then add color and glitter and then transfer to the pots.

[spinninbug]

Could someone tell me more about these pots? My husband and I are just starting to pour our own and I hadn't heard about these pots before, where can you can them how much and so on. Any info would be helpful and appriciated.

[nwmolds]

Hi spinninbug, I to am thinking of purchesing one of these pots. I've looked at a couple of places that sell them, one is Jann's Netcraft for $56.95 ( I think this holds 12oz) and Lurecraft has two sizes a 24oz pot for $69.95 and a 12oz pot for $59.00. Hope this helps.

[graphico]

Lee pots have their own website at http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1135888831.4535=/html/catalog/melters.html that sells lead melters in many sizes. The plastic Pro-4-20 melters they make look exactly like the Pro-4-20 lead melters and carry the same model number, however have a different thermostat in them. The only difference you will see is there is a sticker that says PLASTIC on the outside of the box. You must specify when ordering. They specialize in bullet casting and I'm not sure they sell the Plastic pots direct. I wish Del-Mart sold both. Maybe they do, it just isn't apparent to me.

Lee also makes smaller melters too.

[spinninbug]

Thank you both for the help I will be checking this out. we are just starting to pour and so far to me anyway there has to be an easier way that using a regular pan, a friend of ours does his own and he has been helping us out alot, however I still think there has to be an easier way maybe these pots will be it.

Thanks again!

[basskat]

How do you keep the salt and glitter from plugging the spout? I have one and refuse to use it for this reason.

[rxfish]

BassKat, You really can't add salt to the plastic and get it to work in these pots, at least not the quantity of salt needed in a stik bait. Its best mixed and poured into the mold direct from the vessel in which you heated the plastic. Jumbo glitter sometimes needs a little coaxing thru the opening in the pot but all other sizes should work fine. It helps if the plastic is hotter as well. We have disassembled some pots and drilled out the opening to increase the flow. I have purchased replacement liners for these pots, although last I looked I don't see them on the website (Lurecraft).

[Lager7]

I recently bought a Lees melting pot. Found that it is good for pouring in one piece molds, but a regular melting pan seems to work better with the Del-Mart stik-bait molds. I was wondering if there is an easy way to clean the pots when finished?

[Delw]

The best way to keep the componets mixed in the pots is too use a drill press on low speed( 50-300 rpm), for a mixer. use a flat spade bit like a 1.5-2" one and gring the cutting tip off. or fabricat something.

this will keep the plastic glitter and salt evenly mixed.

too clean the pots you really need to use a wire brush on a drill motor, your basically burnishing the metal again. if you apply hard pressure to it with will shine and it will also not stick as much. Polishing a pot might not be a bad Idea and I am sure it would work but never tried it.
a very smooth surface will help the plastic come off easier


Delw

[JunebugNY]

Are these only for use with 1-part molds? It does not seem like there would be enough clearance under the spout for 2-part molds.

[Delw]

No you can use them with 2 piece molds as well

what you need to do is take the four screws out of the bottom and turn the plate 180º them pop the 4 screws back in. you can then raise your pot to the height you want by placing it on blocks of wood books etc.

What I recomend doing is to screw it to a block of wood so it doesnt tip over when its filled with plastic. Or set a few big books on it.

I used yellow pages to make it higher and also to sit on top of the stand to keep it from falling.



Delw

[DaveM]

I am thinking of getting one of these this week for pouring the tails on my 3" grubs. Is this going to help my control, or will I just be a Klutz with a more expensive tool? I tend to glob up the tails on my 2 color grub pours. I am starting at the end of the tail, and I work back to the body. I usually end up with a spot where the plastic overflowed the mold a bit, and then I get flash when I pour the bodies. (I tend to pour about 75% , which means in my 4 cavity mold, I always have one goober!)

Will it help with this, and the really small stuff like micro worms? Half of my problem seems to be the plastic coling off in the spout of my pan while I am pouring, and going slightly off course. Does the nozzle in the pot stay clear? I would not be using salt or glitter most of the time.

Thanks,
Dave

[Delw]

Dave,

the pots are great for one color work with little to no glitter. I found that if you raise the mold to about 2" below the spout you get better control.

for little dropshot worms you can really pour alot of baits fast.
you can also pour 2-4 color worms with pots as well. ( better control)

what happens is once you start pouring by hand you can do the exact same thing that a pot will do. but it takes practice.
When I first started pouring years ago, A guy told me he could pour by hand 3 color worms in a little dropshot mold. I laughed at him and said no way cause I couldnt even do it with a pot. he showed me and I was impressed.
I still cant pour three color baits very well.
try a pot you will be happy with them, if you dont like it there are always people that will buy it from you.

[Upper Hand]

I have a used 12 oz. Lee pouring pot for sale. I used it maybe 4-5 times,
switched over to the micro. It has a little rust and residue left from a
final pour....just needs to be burnished out a bit.
$35.00 Bucks takes it + s/h