Looking for a lead melting pot

[Overboost44]

Figured I would check in before buying something. If anyone has a melting pot that they would be willing to lend out, I would be happy to meet you to pick it up. I have access to plenty of lead and would be happy to give some in exchange.

Short of that, if I buy one, what do I want? I don't want to spend a lot, probably $100 or less. I am really looking into making 3-4 oz. pyramid sinkers for fishing.

 

[[Kev308]]

Amazon product ASIN B010R91VJW

 

[Overboost44]

Amazon product ASIN B010R91VJW

So is that a good one, or did you just go on Amazon and post one?

 

[trickg]

Figured I would check in before buying something. If anyone has a melting pot that they would be willing to lend out, I would be happy to meet you to pick it up. I have access to plenty of lead and would be happy to give some in exchange.

Short of that, if I buy one, what do I want? I don't want to spend a lot, probably $100 or less. I am really looking into making 3-4 oz. pyramid sinkers for fishing.

You can find a cast iron lead cauldron in lots of different places for well under $100. That's all my Dad ever used - he had a couple of smaller ones for casting bullets, and he had a larger one for casting ingots. He did everything over a propane stove right there in his garage workshop. He usually reserved "smelting" down wheel weights for days where he could open up the garage door, but he'd just dump the ingots out on the concrete floor to cool.

But anyway, I think cast iron would be as good of a way to go as anything else.

 

[Overboost44]

You can find a cast iron lead cauldron in lots of different places for well under $100. That's all my Dad ever used - he had a couple of smaller ones for casting bullets, and he had a larger one for casting ingots. He did everything over a propane stove right there in his garage workshop. He usually reserved "smelting" down wheel weights for days where he could open up the garage door, but he'd just dump the ingots out on the concrete floor to cool.

But anyway, I think cast iron would be as good of a way to go as anything else.

That is a good idea. You just reminded me that my Dad used to just use an iron ladle and melt it with propane. I will try that out unless someone comes up with a better idea or a deal too good to pass up.

 

[toppkatt]

BassPro had the Lee 20# pots for about $100 about a year ago and I saw one at Sutlers Row at Ft. Shenandoah (in Tom Crone's booth, I think) for about the same price during Spring Nationals this year. Tom is in Frederick.

 

[Sticky]

I use a Lee 20# pot and it works great for casting boolits and fishing tackle. I use a cast iron pot over a propane burner for smelting lead down, but after that it all goes through the Lee pot into the molds. A cast iron pot and a ladle (doesn't have to be cast iron) with a decent handle works well too, I just have better luck pouring into the mold from the bottom spout on the pot.

 

[ohen cepel]

I have a big "plumbers stove" in which I work up wheel weights and scrap lead into ingots. Then, I use one like posted above for casting.

Don't need the large one but makes working up a bucket of scrap much easier. Same for the smaller one, don't need it I guess but does work better for me with molds.

 

[blazing lead]

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1262645810?pid=645810

Midway has the 20 lb lee on sale for $89 and the 10 lb for $ 79 w free shipping. I been thinking about grabbing another 20 lb so I can have different alloys ready to go without draining.

 

[John from MD]

This is all you need to make sinkers. I have used one for years doing just that. Since you don't make the volume you do with bullets, you don't need a big pot and wrinkles don't mean anything with sinkers.

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/hot-pot-ii-lead-melting-pot?ds_e=GOOGLE&ds_c=Cabelas%7CShopping%7CSmart%7CFishing%7CGeneral%7CNAud%7CNVol%7CNMT&&&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIove5xMnC_wIV5QStBh1MHwRnEAQYAiABEgI2HPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[blazing lead]

Yup that would work very well for sinkers.but if the op ever got the itch to make some boolits in the future he would already be set for success for not much more of an investment. A 1000w hotplate from the thrift store an a steel GI canteen cup is how I got into the hobby. It worked pretty ok but I'm glad I upgraded.

 

[85MikeTPI]

I started with this pot over propane at camp, to smelt into ignots and now for zinc. The 20lb Lee is for all casting of bullets/slugs from the clean lead (don’t use for zinc) . For doing only sinkers, a small cast pot is hard to beat.

 

[John from MD]

View attachment 417960
I started with this pot over propane at camp, to smelt into ignots and now for zinc. The 20lb Lee is for all casting of bullets/slugs from the clean lead (don’t use for zinc) . For doing only sinkers, a small cast pot is hard to beat.

I too still a similar pot for melting ready lead to add to my 20 Lb RCBS pot. You just have to get a welders glove to grab that handle with as the kitchen pot holders don't cut it when the pot gets up to 500 degrees plus.

 

[Overboost44]

BassPro had the Lee 20# pots for about $100 about a year ago and I saw one at Sutlers Row at Ft. Shenandoah (in Tom Crone's booth, I think) for about the same price during Spring Nationals this year. Tom is in Frederick.

Thanks R. A few people recommend this pot or the 10lb.

I just have better luck pouring into the mold from the bottom spout on the pot.

I think that will be key...the ease of pouring.

Don't need the large one but makes working up a bucket of scrap much easier. Same for the smaller one, don't need it I guess but does work better for me with molds.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1262645810?pid=645810

Midway has the 20 lb lee on sale for $89 and the 10 lb for $ 79 w free shipping. I been thinking about grabbing another 20 lb so I can have different alloys ready to go without draining.

Appreciate that. I guess it is hard to justify the 10lb when the 20lb is $10 more. Is there any reason at all to get a 10lb other than $10?

This is all you need to make sinkers. I have used one for years doing just that. Since you don't make the volume you do with bullets, you don't need a big pot and wrinkles don't mean anything with sinkers.

True. They don't have to be beautiful. Someday, I will make bullets but I have enough now to last me a year or so.

Yup that would work very well for sinkers.but if the op ever got the itch to make some boolits in the future he would already be set for success for not much more of an investment. A 1000w hotplate from the thrift store an a steel GI canteen cup is how I got into the hobby. It worked pretty ok but I'm glad I upgraded.

I like it. You just reminded me that I have a portable induction burner. I just may be able to use that to melt if I don't get the pot right away.

View attachment 417960
I started with this pot over propane at camp, to smelt into ignots and now for zinc. The 20lb Lee is for all casting of bullets/slugs from the clean lead (don’t use for zinc) . For doing only sinkers, a small cast pot is hard to beat.

I think I can run over to Cracker Barrel or the hardware store and pick up one of these.

I too still a similar pot for melting ready lead to add to my 20 Lb RCBS pot. You just have to get a welders glove to grab that handle with as the kitchen pot holders don't cut it when the pot gets up to 500 degrees plus.

Still have my fathers welders glove and he didn't weld. He used it for this and for grilling. Also have some of those 900 degree gloves for grilling. They are amazing and I still find it hard to trust them when I go to pick up something hot.

 

[Blacksmith101]

Cast iron dutch oven or frying pan from the Goodwill store and a hot plate will work just fine.

 

[Overboost44]

Cast iron dutch oven or frying pan from the Goodwill store and a hot plate will work just fine.

I like that, but then what is the best way to get it from the Dutch oven to pour into the sinker mold? Cast iron ladle?

 

[John from MD]

I like that, but then what is the best way to get it from the Dutch oven to pour into the sinker mold? Cast iron ladle?

Yes, that works fine. I have found them cheap at flea markets and on flea bay.

 

[Blacksmith101]

I like that, but then what is the best way to get it from the Dutch oven to pour into the sinker mold? Cast iron ladle?

Gravy ladle just bend the handle as needed:
Amazon product ASIN B00MN3ST0A

 

[Overboost44]

Gravy ladle just bend the handle as needed:
Amazon product ASIN B00MN3ST0A

Hell, my wife has one of those she won't miss