I'm planning on getting one of these pots, for the same reason that you have it- using multiple alloys. I plan to keep pure lead for muzzle-loading revolver bullets and minie balls in mine. On to my suggestion: In order to adapt this pot to your needs, you could do one of two things. Replace the metal knob on the actuator to a wood one, that is closer to the vertical part. Or, put a simple lever on the top of the pot that you can use with your left hand. One end under the actuator, knob other.
I sit down, have a bit slower flow(makes the action go a lot smoother and safer), use welders gloves and freehand it(skip the guide)holding the mould with left hand, open the sprueplate with right hand and dump the sprues back in the pot right away.. works great! Also if you set the mould directly on the hot lead for just a minute before starting it will be hot enough first casting
Why don’t you build a platform to raise the pot, so as your not bending over.. You can also build up the center under the spout with stacks of like plywood. Then either put an aluminum plate for the mold to slide on or you can use a piece of aluminum bar stock that is just under the width of the molds. Then use angle aluminum on both sides as a guide for the mold. I also believe NOE makes a mold guide.
thanks for the video. it was helpful for me. as for your ability to use the handle with your left hand. could you rotate the entire melting pot on top of your work bench clockwise about 90 degrees? the temp knob would then be on your right side instead of the back. it appears that the handle would be better located for use with your left hand with it that way.
Then you could use your left hand to actuate the flow, just like on the RCBS pot. Only difference is, you'd push down with your left hand, rather than lifting, like you do on the RCBS pot. If the lifting end of the lever is close to the valve rod, it should remove the binding that you're getting with the knob, because of the distance of the knob from the vertical part of the actuator is not only lifting, but pushing in, as well. I like your videos,they get me thinking.
I am sure you would be better holding the mould in your left hand, and operating the valve with your right hand, the way you are operating now looks most awkward.
Just got mine in the mail today, thank you for the video it helped
I'm planning on getting one of these pots, for the same reason that you have it- using multiple alloys. I plan to keep pure lead for muzzle-loading revolver bullets and minie balls in mine. On to my suggestion: In order to adapt this pot to your needs, you could do one of two things. Replace the metal knob on the actuator to a wood one, that is closer to the vertical part. Or, put a simple lever on the top of the pot that you can use with your left hand. One end under the actuator, knob other.
I sit down, have a bit slower flow(makes the action go a lot smoother and safer), use welders gloves and freehand it(skip the guide)holding the mould with left hand, open the sprueplate with right hand and dump the sprues back in the pot right away.. works great!
Also if you set the mould directly on the hot lead for just a minute before starting it will be hot enough first casting
Why don’t you build a platform to raise the pot, so as your not bending over.. You can also build up the center under the spout with stacks of like plywood. Then either put an aluminum plate for the mold to slide on or you can use a piece of aluminum bar stock that is just under the width of the molds. Then use angle aluminum on both sides as a guide for the mold. I also believe NOE makes a mold guide.
thanks for the video. it was helpful for me.
as for your ability to use the handle with your left hand. could you rotate the entire melting pot on top of your work bench clockwise about 90 degrees? the temp knob would then be on your right side instead of the back.
it appears that the handle would be better located for use with your left hand with it that way.
Then you could use your left hand to actuate the flow, just like on the RCBS pot. Only difference is, you'd push down with your left hand, rather than lifting, like you do on the RCBS pot. If the lifting end of the lever is close to the valve rod, it should remove the binding that you're getting with the knob, because of the distance of the knob from the vertical part of the actuator is not only lifting, but pushing in, as well.
I like your videos,they get me thinking.
I am sure you would be better holding the mould in your left hand, and operating the valve with your right hand, the way you are operating now looks most awkward.
Can you move the handle to the left side? Some pots you can do that.