PID Controller for a lead pot

[bushog]

Can anybody share a good source for a PID controller for my Lee lead pot?

There are several folks over on the castboolits website that sell them but I'd like to hear from you guys what you use?

Are they really helpful?

Grassyass!

[ericp]

I got components for one from a gentleman on the CBA forums. For the most part I run it n the bypass switch and just cast as normal. I use it for casting match bullets. You won't cast any better quality bullets than you will without it however you will have a higher percentage of keepers (within .3gr of median weight for me) out of a batch than without it.



Eric

[Deleted]

My Lyman Mag 20 thermostat went out in January, and a phone call to Lyman resulted in an advanced case of frustration for me. They wouldn't sell me parts for it. I could send it in for (another) rebuild, or I had to figure something else out if I wanted to keep using it. After hemming and hawing for a while I decided to go the PID route, and also build one myself, rather than buy one. I used an old computer power box for a case, and ordered the parts through Amazon. The parts came to a little over $50.00 all told, but shipped from China, so I had to wait a month to get them. Then it took a few days to actually force myself to actually do it. To my surprise, it was all straightforward, and pretty easy to do. I finished it in a couple of hours, after cutting the necessary slot and holes in the power control box. I spent some (probably) unnecessary time being anal about the wiring, and I color coded all the wiring as well. I used crimp on wire ends, and soldered them together, and then covered as much as possible with heat shrink. I drilled a hole on the bottom of my pot and mounted one of the button style thermocouples in it, using copper washers to prevent leaks. So far, no leaks. I wired my pots element direct, bypassing the old thermostat, which I removed. I also bought a socket and plug ends for my thermocouple leads, so I can use different thermocouples for different projects. I will also follow this pattern when I build my second PID.

How does it work? I am amazed at the temperature swings associated with casting. Just setting a cold ladle in hot alloy is enough to drop the temp in my pot over sixty degrees alone. Adding ingots? around 30 degrees per ingot. Whats the advantage? Vastly improved consistency in my castings. I was using a thermometer with my old setup, but not realize how sluggish mechanical thermometers can be. My PID keeps me pretty much on the set temp, which with a little discipline in my casting pace helps keep the mould temps consistent, which helps keep my bullet weights consistent. My bullet weight "bell curve" has shrunken considerably.

As I mentioned before, I'm gathering the pieces to build another PID. This one will be used for a Goodwill convection oven, which will be used for heat-treatment, and can be used for powder coating or epoxy coating curing if I go those directions.

[okie44]

I bought this one from someone on CB, have since found the components on evilbuy to build another. Works great.

[contender]

I bought one over a year ago off CB. I'd have to go back & see who I got mine from. My only complaint was how the box was assembled. Kinda weak housing where the outlet plugs are. But how it works,,,, I like them.

[kaytod]

Call Glenn Larsen of White Label Lube. He sells plug-and-play PID controllers for lead pots. Glen was just here for the Linebaugh Midwest Sixgun Seminar and mentioned he now does them. Glenn is a swell guy, small businessman and Vet, so I'll plug his business all I can.

www.lsstuff.com/home

[2 Dogs]

I will second that. I just bought a bunch of his lube and even his receptionist was great. Fast shipping and a very nice product. I would do business with him anytime.

[contender]

I just went to Glenn's site & no info was available on PID's. I guess it's too new to be on his website.

[kaytod]

Yep he said he just started making them. Drop him a line, I'm sure he'll do ya right. Gonna have one for myself within the month.

[fatcpa]

I bought the parts from Auberins and put mine together following an article on Castboolits. Stuffed all the parts in an old computer power supply case. Looks OK, works well.