PID controller for lead melting pots?

[Greg_E]

Watched some of Johnny's reloading video, and spent some time looking for stuff. Was hoping to find a pre built unit, but the few I can find are too much money for the features offered. Lots and lots of reptile and brewing devices all nice and ready for use, but none seem to want to work at lead melting temperatures.

I'll need to do more looking before I commit one way or another, I just do not need another project right now! Far too many unfinished things to start another!

[triggertreat]

Watched some of Johnny's reloading video, and spent some time looking for stuff. Was hoping to find a pre built unit, but the few I can find are too much money for the features offered. Lots and lots of reptile and brewing devices all nice and ready for use, but none seem to want to work at lead melting temperatures.

I'll need to do more looking before I commit one way or another, I just do not need another project right now! Far too many unfinished things to start another!

Don't let a PID controller hold you up from casting.  A thermometer works as well.  The PID controller is a very helpful casting tool but many cast have been made without one.  With .50 cal it's probably better to cast with what you have to save on cost as those are not nearly as critical to have perfectly matched weights as the smaller calibers are at longer ranges.

[DLP]

I have made a few of these over the years. Just finished one up  a couple days ago and got to test it out this afternoon. Dumb simple to make and cheep. I suggest not to buy the $20 or less controllers. First off, they only show in celsius. Plus they are a bite to program. I like the Mipan ts4. It’s $30. And get a K type probe. You will also need a relay. All together it was less then $50. You don’t need all the wire crimps either or a cool box. Old vacuumed cord or like for 110 or 220 input. An electric plug or the heater element on the other half of the power cord for the output. I bypassed using a on/off switch and fuse and just plug it in when using. Jumper wires to each connection so you don’t need a fancy terminal block either. I did use an old metal first-aid kit to mount it all in. But doesn’t really need to be anything special. All the ones you see on the net do look nice. But that’s all the fancy boxes do is look nice. You could wrap all the electrical connections in black tape and do the same that the box does. But it is a good idea to mount the parts so they dont rattle around and short out or shock you. I also pass on drilling my melting pot to make it permanently mounted. A paper clip looped on one of the top pot screws holds the probe right next to the drop spout. I am not suggesting you make it as cheep or halfazzed as I just described. Only pointing out that it sounds like a lot more to building one than what it really is.

[Greg_E]

I have a Lyman digital thermometer so nothing holding me back but time.

I was also thinking of buying enough parts to gut my powder coat baker and replace with the PID controlls, but again time to get this stuff done always seems to be against me.

[cosmic]

You can build it in about an hour.. You can use a old computer power supply and gut, keep what you need and use the box to modify for your build..

[Greg_E]

You can build it in about an hour.. You can use a old computer power supply and gut, keep what you need and use the box to modify for your build..

Actually, no I can't build this in about an hour. I can't just throw it together in some kind of old box with extra holes in it, just not how I do things. I could prototype this in an hour and have pieces hanging everywhere, but build it is no way. I bet it would take me at least an hour to layout the cut lines for a decent case. And another hour to cut everything out with a nibbler and drills.

[triggertreat]

You can build it in about an hour.. You can use a old computer power supply and gut, keep what you need and use the box to modify for your build..

Actually, no I can't build this in about an hour. I can't just throw it together in some kind of old box with extra holes in it, just not how I do things. I could prototype this in an hour and have pieces hanging everywhere, but build it is no way. I bet it would take me at least an hour to layout the cut lines for a decent case. And another hour to cut everything out with a nibbler and drills.

Yes, that's how I went about building mine...Nibbler tool, You Tube and a lot of planning and research.  I was not in a race, and I feel I have one now that is built right.  I did use an old PC P/S case from eBay.  The build was tight, but I like the extra ventilation slots, lol.  I would get one of those aluminum boxes for more room to work in if had a redo.  Besides, I waited a good 20 days for the main components to cross the ocean for the cheapest quality build cost.  I did get the on/off switch and terminal strips and fuse holders from Walmart online because of best pricing.  The completed build was around $100 in cost, but I already had the cords, plugs, terminal connectors and tools.  It is fairly easy to build now that I have built one but was not for the first time build when safety is primary.  My second build would go much quicker of course.