digital bottom pour furnaces...which one ?

[gendoc]

lyman mag25
rcbs promelt 2
or any others ?

yes i know most of you are ladle guys, after over 40years of casting i cant do that any more.

thanks

[Loren]

I have had the Lyman Mag 25 for a few years now and I have been happy with it.

[triggertreat]

I just use the trusty Lee Pro 4-20 pot.  I did build a DIY PID controller to control the temp of it.  You don't have to have a DIY controller with it if you keep the level of lead at least half full or more, which is also good for keeping the gravity flow more consistent, too.  I like this setup over the ones with a built-in PID because if the pot or the PID controller take a dive, I don't have to replace both sections.  The DIY PID controller will cost ~ $100 to build, so something to consider.  With a PID controller the lead temp stays constant regardless of lead level.  Pretty handy for consistent casting of weights, leaving only the mold temp to vary the weights.

[Flatpicker]

I’ve got the RCBS ProMelt 2.  Only issue I’ve had is the pour spout cools too much and won’t flow unless I’m running at 740 degrees or higher.  The less lead I’ve got in the pot, the higher I need the temp up to 760 when I’ve just got a couple pounds left.  I don’t think this would be an issue if I was casting .457 as I would start with a lot more lead (like 7 or 8 pounds at least) but when casting .22 I have the flow set to minimum and that too may have to do with the cooling.  A quick swipe with a torch and it’s good to go again, so it’s not a deal breaker for me.  Had to modify the mold carriage to accommodate the NOE molds but again, not a big deal. 

[Wayne52]

lyman mag25
rcbs promelt 2
or any others ?

yes i know most of you are ladle guys, after over 40years of casting i cant do that any more.

thanks

John if I was incapable of doing the ladle pour anymore I'd go the route that Bob Sterne took making a bottom pour into a pressure pour setup, he's getting fantastic results with his setup.

[triggertreat]

I’ve got the RCBS ProMelt 2.  Only issue I’ve had is the pour spout cools too much and won’t flow unless I’m running at 740 degrees or higher.  The less lead I’ve got in the pot, the higher I need the temp up to 760 when I’ve just got a couple pounds left.  I don’t think this would be an issue if I was casting .457 as I would start with a lot more lead (like 7 or 8 pounds at least) but when casting .22 I have the flow set to minimum and that too may have to do with the cooling.  A quick swipe with a torch and it’s good to go again, so it’s not a deal breaker for me.  Had to modify the mold carriage to accommodate the NOE molds but again, not a big deal.

Try putting some blockers around the pot.  I had that same issue, but now can go as low as 725° without the spout ceasing up.  I just put some scrap pieces of porcelain tile around the pot to where they didn't interfere with casting.  They helped the spout and pot to stay warmer and block any wind movement.  Also, a piece over the top of the pot when not dipping/stirring.  My limit was 740° before adding these around the pot.  Anything would work I would assume.

[Flatpicker]

[/quote]

Try putting some blockers around the pot.  I had that same issue, but now can go as low as 725° without the spout ceasing up.  I just put some scrap pieces of porcelain tile around the pot to where they didn't interfere with casting.  They helped the spout and pot to stay warmer and block any wind movement.  Also, a piece over the top of the pot when not dipping/stirring.  My limit was 740° before adding these around the pot.  Anything would work I would assume.
[/quote]

Thanks for the tip Keith!  I’ll give it a try.