Lee melt pot clogged?

[ten thumbs]

I have a 10# bottom pour pot that i got used. When I first got it I melted what was in it [half full] and emptied into ingots.

When I melted an ingot today the valve won't open to allow me to cast my first boolit :mad:

So, could it be clogged with crud that was on top of the first batch?

Does the screw on the top of the valve stem adjust something?

Can I just tip and pour out the top to get it empty enough to see the bottom valve?

The damn thing almost tipped over while I was trying to make it work,it's almost full and scared the crap out of me. It's top and front heavy, I'm gonna secure it to a bench before I hurt myself.

Any advice appreciated. :cornut:

T.T.

[AdamN]

First make sure that everything is up to temp. The lee pots are notorious for the spout "freezing up" The lead in the spout will solidify and stop the flow.

The best cure is a propane torch. Light that puppy and warm up the spout. In a few seconds you should get flow.

If the spout is clogged with something get a small wire like a paper clip. Straighten it out and bend one end at 90 degrees. Grab the wire with a pair of pliers and you should be able to stick it up into the spout while lifting the handle at the same time.
Usually doing that will get things flowing, have an ingot mold or something underneath the spout to catch the lead that comes out.

[ISUSteve]

Try turning up the heat. It might be that the lead around the valve rod hasn't completely melted. Turn it up and wait 20 mins.

[gokyo]

I would also add flux it again.

I use the wire mentioned above. And the propane torch. Both work well. However make sure to flux. when flusing scrap the wall pretty good.

Be careful with more heat when smelting because you do not want to get it so hot that you will melt any zinc ingots.

[ten thumbs]

Thank's Guys, I'll try these tips tomorrow!

gokyo, could you point me to a primer on flux? I'm not sure I understand this process.

Is this where you add something to the lead to separate impurities?

I think I will go to castboolits.com [sp]? I was told it is a good source.

This is new To me...:confused:

[gokyo]

Holy crap are you trying to tell me that you are smelting without flux. That will seriously clog your Lee.

Do you have the new midway master catalog #31?

If so page 416 is what you are looking for.
CleanCast Lead Fluxing Compound item number # 593-003 cost $10.79

You could try Vita-N-Flux #260-495 for $20.99

I have never tried the vita-n-flux but I have used the CleanCast a lot. Works great.

Many CRB will suggest you use sawdust or candle wax or other stuff. Maybe that is good if you are smelting with a turkey cooker. For the rest of us just buy a pound of Fluxing compound it works great.

[ten thumbs]

OK, Guess i better restart from square one!

I assumed that since it had been smelted once that I was GTG. You know what is said about assuming. :ow:

[CaptToyota]

Look out on the LEE bottom pour, the rod that gets lifted to act as the faucet,,, the nose of it will crud up, I use a wire wheel to clean the crud off and attemp to make it shine.