Old pot

[ronbo]

I wonder if anyone has used the same lead melter longer than me, 40 years on this one. Aquired the Lyman 61 bottom pour used in 1970. Have had to make electrical repairs, ends of the heating element burned off at the connecting point of the thermostat so repaired that a couple of times. The bottom pour started to drip from corrosion a couple of years ago but a few light turns with a drill bit from the top into the spout where the drain rod sits fixed that. Am attached to the thing.

Took a picture of the Lyman, it's too cold to cast in the garage. Have a swing away blower above the pot to blow the fumes to the outside through a 4 inch dryer vent cover with a flexible hose.

[HammerMTB]

No, can't top that but have 30+ on a Lee 10 lb bottom pour. It is now a secondary pot and usually has pure in it, but works like a champ!

[cajun shooter]

I was working in a gun store that year and the owner became my mentor on casting. I used three Lyman pots which IIRC were the same model's. They had a nice large thermostat and required no type of work.

[HeavyMetal]

still using a 61 that I got in a yard sale in the 80's

[dragonrider]

between 20-25 on my Lee bottom pour 10lb

[casterofboolits]

I've got 30 plus years on two RCBS 10 Kilo pots. Both have been rebuilt by RCBS a couple times

[looseprojectile]

Mine was given to me in the seventies. I was whining to a friend that I couldnt keep up with my boolit demands with the old stove and pot. Supplied him some boolits.
He found my new pot at Goodwill. $2.95 used.
Been using it at least monthly since then. Exclusively. Never an issue or letdown from that pot. I have had several Lee pots. They get given to new guys.
I have no plan for when it finally quits.
Probably revert to whining again?

Life is good

[ronbo]

looseprojectile,

Goodwill price now that was a deal, I paid $40 with two bullet moulds with handles.

[looseprojectile]

The same friend brought me a Lyman case tumbler that he got at the same place.
Similar price. That Lyman model 61 ten pound pot is like the energizer bunny.
The motor burned out on the tumbler.
He also has several moulds here that are mine if he croaks.
All of my cronies are in their late sixties or seventies and I try to keep a large amount of gear borrowed.
Wait --- I just loaned my Browning 92 44 magnum to one of em.
I sure hope it all works out.

Life is good

[looseprojectile]

My drill press is on the left but my bench is a lot more cluttered.

life isgood

[BOOM BOOM]

HI,
I got my Lyman mod. 61 about 1972. still using it . Just had to clean it w/ a wire brush a few times.

[x101airborne]

Wait --- I just loaned my Browning 92 44 magnum to one of em.
I sure hope it all works out.

Life is good

HA HA HA HA. Not to hi-jack a thread, but my buddy (he is 72) and i share a custom 30-06 and a 22 K-hornet. Same deal, they're his till he's past caring. Every time he gets sick, i gotta look at his son-in-law sideways. Plottin little b%@$&*d.

By the way..... some of yalls pots are older than I!!

[WHITETAIL]

I have 20+ years on my Lyman 20lb. pot.

[3006guns]

I have about 18 years on my SAECO (twin to your Lyman)....BUT, I inherited it from a deceased friend who bought it new in the late 60's. Aside from a little touch up work on the thermostat points and looking awful, it still performs flawlessly. Quality always shows and it'll be a cold, dark day before that thing leaves my grasp!

Your fan set up is what I've been looking for........mind if I steal it?

[ronbo]

30-06, Some pictures of the fan above the lead pot, the blower I scrapped from an old home air exchanger, don't ask about the lead spatters on the wall behind



Attached some thin plywood to the fan motor top bolts to make it swivel out of the way when filling the pot and attached it to the shelf above



Vent tube 4 inch clothes dryer goes right out the wall to outside

[3006guns]

Thanks ronbo......I have an almost identical fan in my pile of "never throw away, might need it someday". The vent parts are readily available so now I have a good project for these winter days! That is a very good, direct setup for casting safety.

What are the lead splatters on the..........oh, never mind.