Leaky spout

[FurFlyin]

Lee Pro 4-20 pot. I bought it used. The more I use it, the worse it leaks. I can buy a new spout and pin. Reckon that will fix this mess? Also do you think I will be able to get the old spout out of the old pot or will I need to get a new pot liner too? Unless I screw the stem all the way down when I’m not using the pot I walk back to this, or worse.

[smoothlures]

Impossible to say without knowing what it's been through but a few things to try.

Keep it full at all times. The extra weight seems to help the plunger stay down.
Flux your pot, stirring down not just letting it burn on top.
With gloves and pliers, use a firm piece of wire to clean out the inside of the spout up to where it stops (where it meets the plunger). I use 174 lb SS fishing wire.

[FurFlyin]

Ok thanks. I don't keep it full. I'll try that. I flux with wax every time I use it. I have a pair of heavy welding gloves that I wear and I use a SS kitchen spoon to stir. I'll try cleaning the spout and see if that helps. It's pouring a good stream so I don't think it's fouled but will check anyway.

[smoothlures]

Ok thanks. I don't keep it full. I'll try that. I flux with wax every time I use it. I have a pair of heavy welding gloves that I wear and I use a SS kitchen spoon to stir. I'll try cleaning the spout and see if that helps. It's pouring a good stream so I don't think it's fouled but will check anyway.

Keeping bottom pour pots full or almost full makes a massive difference. Hope it helps you!

[DockShootinJack]

You could sale that is new fangled art.

[Cray]

Have you emptied it and cleaned it out? If not empty pot, pull plunger and clean tip real good. Then using a small round wire brush clean inside of spout real good. Then put back together and try again. A tiny piece of slag will keep plunger from seating.

[FurFlyin]

Charlie I’ve actually taken it all the way down twice in the year or less that I’ve had it.

I’m using very clean X-ray room lining lead. The only contaminants I ever get out when I flux the lead is rust from the sides of the pot.

A new spout and rod/stem only cost $6.50 plus shipping so if keeping the pot full doesn’t fix it then I’m just going to go ahead and order one.

I was hoping that someone had replaced their spout so I’d know if it can be removed from the old pot. I don’t have to tell you how stubborn heat set rusty threaded things can be to remove. I know you use to deal with that in your job just like I do in mine.

[tlefire]

Brad I'd contact Lee and see what it cost to refurbish it. Let them do the hard work.

[smoothlures]

Charlie I’ve actually taken it all the way down twice in the year or less that I’ve had it.

I’m using very clean X-ray room lining lead. The only contaminants I ever get out when I flux the lead is rust from the sides of the pot.

A new spout and rod/stem only cost $6.50 plus shipping so if keeping the pot full doesn’t fix it then I’m just going to go ahead and order one.

I was hoping that someone had replaced their spout so I’d know if it can be removed from the old pot. I don’t have to tell you how stubborn heat set rusty threaded things can be to remove. I know you use to deal with that in your job just like I do in mine.

I use that pure soft lead too. What you're seeing (and scraping off) is lead oxide. It can be all kinds of colors from blues to gold to brown to grey and black. Get it all off the plunger and side of the pot but leave it on top (a reasonable layer, anyway) as it makes kind of a protective layer - if you scrape it off more is just going to oxidize in its place.

Is it possible the previous owner drilled out the spout any? That's the first thing a lot of people do when they have bottom pour problems especially if they use hard lead.

[cricket george]

A friend of mine is a national tackle manufacturer and I have asked him about this same problem and he indicates that it is impurities in the lead. He says the impurities are clogging the spout and causing the bypass of the lead. He indicated the pot needs to be emptied, cleaned and refilled.