Armoredman, something I've found with my little Lee pot, is that over time, the element gets thinner and thinner. I used to be able to cast with the knob set a bit above 7, now it is nearly all the way up to get the same temp. I have a new element waiting on the sideline for when this is one is completely gone. I was trying to cast with straight WW's, and like you, was about to give up, when I grabbed my little digital thermometer, which was sitting there all along, and found the alloy temp way below what had previously worked for me. I'm in the habit of leaving my pot on for long periods of time. The elements don't last long under those conditions. Despite arguments to the contrary, crank it up until it starts working, if it still doesn't work, chances are it isn't getting hot enough. And find a cheap digital thermometer. Here's what I have: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Atkin...motiveQ5fTools $23.99 and accurate.