Lyman Big Dipper Casting Furnace

Fantastic machine. Has accurate temperature control. Is very easy to use. It is much smaller than i expected, its quite cute really. Purchased for use in bullet casting and it is phenomenal.

I have had excellent luck making good quality bullets with this furnace. I really don't cast a lot of bullets, but I've had this furnace for 2 or 3 years now and have probably made about 500 bullets with several different Lee bullet molds. As other reviews mention, there is no direct correlation to the position of the thermostat and the exact temperature of the pot, but the thermostat does do a nice job of keeping the liquid alloy at a consistent temperature. Overall, it's a great basic design that seems to last reasonably well.

I think some comparison is in order. I have had Lyman's larger furnace since the early 1970's and it served me well. I liked the bottom pour spout and used it for probably 10 years before trying ladle pouring from the top. I found out I was getting much tighter variation range in the weights of the bullets with the ladle pour. I thought I would try this little furnace and use one for my black powder bullets and the old furnace for the hard cast bullets and not have to change out the lead every time I went from one to the other. So far I like this little one so well I have not gone back to the larger furnace. I think I will buy another of these to have two hardness of bullet material available at all times. The only thing I don't know is what the longevity will be for this light weight one. It's a great product at this point.

There is temperature control but there are no readings on what temperature each mark SHOULD be so a high temp thermometer or thermocouple is required.It take a while to get up to temp, but once the material is liquified, it recovers and maintains well.I give it a 4 star only because each mark should at least have a relative temperature indication.A word of caution. I'm using this to pre-tin wires for cable assemblies. If anyone has the same application, don't melt down solder spools that you're not using. The flux will pool, burn off (LOTS OF SMOKE), then burn. Yes, the flux in my pot caught fire. I put it out by placing a piece of aluminum plate over the top to starve the flames. Use NEW material or avoid flux core solder.

I had been using the small Lee pot for casting 450 grain muzzleloader lead conicals. I did not feel like it was doing the job. I had it on high and to me something just wasn't right. I did not have a temp gauge. It would take me at least 5 or 6 or more cast bullets before it would cast properly. Then occasionally I would have a bad one. So, I got the Lyman Big Dipper. I think the Lyman gets hotter than the Lee. Bottom line is on my first cast with the Lyman it was a good one. I am not knocking the Lee unit but the Lyman Big Dipper is my go to for bullet casting. I did not even have the Lyman on high. It had a 9 as tops. I set mine around 7 and worked good.

I'm using this to melt/cast pewter. It works great, though I do wish the temperature control were more sensitive - it has to be turned up more than half way to melt pewter, which both makes me wonder what one would use it for at temperatures any lower, and makes me think it must have to be turned just about all the way up to melt lead. It does seem plenty rugged though, and is certainly straightforward to use.

Works as advertised... just be sure to use it outside or in a VERY well-ventilated area because it creates A LOT of smoke the first time you use it. It's slightly worrisome that it makes so much smoke, but it stopped eventually and did it's job well. I had no trouble melting down lead weights for add to my son's pinewood derby car.

Great product! Great seller! Bought this as a gift for my sons. They use it extensively and love it.