Unclogging a Lee bottom pour

JDBraddy · Nov 13, 2024

My lee bottom pour flow has slowed to a slow drip, I suspect it is clogged with debris. The lead was

hot, adjusted the screw, tried poking a wire through the hole. ALL TO NO AVAIL.

There is 15-18lbs of lead in the pot, don't want to try pouring the molten lead out the top, resorted to using a dipper to cast, but would be a real chore to bail it out with essentially a spoon.

What's the best way to unclog the valve with the pot full?

leadhoarder · Nov 13, 2024

A finishing nail held by long nose vice grips works for me. Some drips out while cleaning it out.

deerstalkert · Nov 13, 2024

welding torch wire cleaners work on one of mine.
the other i opened up one time and a 4d nail held in forceps works well in that one.
usually it is Sulphur and heavier metals that plug the orifice. when you get it flowing, drain it completely and really clean the pot.

French Colonial · Nov 14, 2024

Buy a ladle and leave it plugged.

dave951 · Nov 14, 2024

Empty it. Use a drill bit to clear the hole. Do NOT use the bit in a drill. Just twisting it with your fingers will clean it just fine. Unfortunately, it's a thing you'll have to do from time to time.

Maven · Nov 14, 2024

Or, you can plug it permanently and convert to ladle pouring. Lots of disagreement about casting with a ladle, but it has worked for me for > 50 yrs.

nhmoose · Nov 14, 2024

Propane torch the nozzle may help. I use a small drill bit held by vice grips also

smoothshooter · Nov 14, 2024

dave951 said:
Empty it. Use a drill bit to clear the hole. Do NOT use the bit in a drill. Just twisting it with your fingers will clean it just fine. Unfortunately, it's a thing you'll have to do from time to time.

Agree 100%.
Also, using a drill bit a little larger than the original hole to ream it out to a larger size works wonders. I would drain the pot well so that the internal valve/stopper is free to move up when the tip of the bit bumps against it when you are drilling up from the bottom. One of those bits that comes attached to a ratchet socket works best.
I typically use a large paper clip with one leg bent out at a right angle to keep the spout clear when casting.

#BPBReloadingFFL · Nov 14, 2024

I drilled mine larger to flood the mould. And keep a fork with one tine bent at a 90' to clear any debris.

tjiann · Nov 14, 2024

Thanks for posting this. I just bought a used RCBS Pro Cast bottom pour pot and am having the same issue.

maillemaker · Nov 14, 2024

I drilled mine out. Had to partially disassemble the pot, removing the base and the valve stem.

Kev308 · Nov 15, 2024

I’m with French Colonial, buy a ladle and forget the bottom pour. A ladle will give you a faster pour, and a better bullet.
Thanks,
Kevin

flconch53 · Nov 15, 2024

#BPBReloadingFFL said:
I drilled mine larger to flood the mould. And keep a fork with one tine bent at a 90' to clear any debris.

I have a 3/32 PC of stainless wire bent to clear the hole. If it gets real bad I resort to a drill bit

EC121 · Nov 15, 2024

I drilled the spout a little larger and let it drip. Then I put a Lee ingot mold under the spout to catch the drips. I use a pair of needle nose pliers to put the drips back in the pot as they build up. I can only pour about 100 balls before my wrist starts hurting. Lee says to drain the pot each time and leave about 1/4" to help the next pot melt. Supposed to prevent a lot of rust and help cleaning.

curly7557 · Nov 15, 2024

Heat it up and use a heavy paper clip that you straighten out and bend one end to a 90 degree. With either pliers or gloves, work it up into the spout.
Small Allen wrench also works well.
I’ve had to one time use a propane torch to carefully heat the spout to help clear it.
I drain mine out completely from time to time and with a spoon and a small long screwdriver scrape out the spout and pot walls. Refill, flux your lead and ready to go. Works for me on the same pot I’ve used for 49 years.

nhmoose · Nov 15, 2024

Also first rule of bottom pour pot's is no junk lead melting in the pot use clean ingots only. Keeps the dirt out of the nozzle

flconch53 · Nov 15, 2024

nhmoose said:
Also first rule of bottom pour pot's is no junk lead melting in the pot use clean ingots only. Keeps the dirt out of the nozzle

I always melt down raw lead in a pot and make ingots to cast roundball. This gets rid off an amazing amount of dirt

flconch53 · Nov 15, 2024

flconch53 said:
I always melt down raw lead in a pot and make ingots to cast roundball. This gets rid off an amazing amount of dirt

You can use most anything to make ingots. Cupcake tins work good

Rifleman1776 · Nov 15, 2024

Maven said:
plug it permanently and convert to ladle pouring.

That's what I did. Works well, I prefer ladle pouring.

smoothshooter · Nov 15, 2024

#BPBReloadingFFL said:
I drilled mine larger to flood the mould. And keep a fork with one tine bent at a 90' to clear any debris.

Yes, flooding the mold is a good thing.

Unclogging a Lee bottom pour

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