Adjustable flow for bottom pour furnaces

[Barn]

I have seen numerous comments about the flow from bottom furnaces varying with the liquid level in the pot.

I have been using an adjuster on bottom pour furnaces for many years with good results. I adjust the flow as the liquid level goes down.

I don't think this will work with a Lee. Perhaps it was my technique but I could not get consistent flows from a drip-o- matic regardless of the liquid level.

 

[fiver]

head pressure.

the LEE 20lber's are 'adjustable' you just turn the screw next to the spout rod.
I keep my pots full so they have a consistent flow and flow pressure going into the mold.

 

[Ian]

The Lee 4-20 works ok if you peen the spout hole closed and re-drill it to a smaller size. The pintle is adjustable, but it's touchy and the flex in the linkage makes consistent flow difficult to achieve until you get a feel for it. Definitely not as nice as the RCBS pots as far as adjustment goes.

The biggest problem with my Lee is temperature changes as it gets low, so I just don't let it get much below 1/3. One thermostat adjustment and one flow adjustment between chock-full and 1/3 full keeps it very consistent with both flow and temperature. My PID system is in a box now, used it for a while but sometimes a simple thermometer and dial is easier to live with.

 

[quicksylver]

My adjustments as I cast...check thermometer ......turn dial......check flow...turn screw..I'm happy..

 

[popper]

My version for the Lee. Twist to stop drip, adjust tap wrench height for flow. Makes it easy to clean the pintle also, not constrained.

 

[dannyd]

I use the same thing on a Lee

 

[Brian Palmer]

I just broke the pot on my lee IV today screwing around trying to improve it... small world sometimes. Well I got a 4 20 on the way and lee is sending me a new pot for the IV Free!

 

[Rally Hess]

I find most often it isn't as much the level in my Lee's that cause flow problems as it is dirt obstruction. I keep a 5/64" drill bit on my casting table all the time. When I get a slow stream I just put the bit up the nozzle and give it several twists(gloved hand) and am surprised at the dirt that comes out of it and how well it works after cleaning.