Which melt thermometer?

[currahee1911]

Hi,
I see them at Midway for about $60, is this worth the expense or are there generic alternatives: cooking thermometers for example.

Any input appreciated.

Cordially,
C.

[MT Gianni]

http://probbqthermometers.com/
About 1/3 of the way down the page is a 3" dial 4" stem 200F x 1000 F thermometer for $32.95. It is similar to the industrial one I use.

[Bullet Caster]

I think Swede Nelson has thermometers in the Vendor Sponsors area. They go up to 1000 degrees and are in the $30ish range.

And, by the way, welcome to Castboolits. BC

[Stick_man]

+1 for supporting the local guy. Swede has a fine product and less costly than the others.

[Blacksmith]

Rotometals another supporter of this site also sells them.
http://www.rotometals.com/product-p/lead_thermometer.htm

[Sasquatch-1]

http://probbqthermometers.com/
About 1/3 of the way down the page is a 3" dial 4" stem 200F x 1000 F thermometer for $32.95. It is similar to the industrial one I use.

I just checked your link. They are actually $18.95 plus $6.00 shipping for the longer stem, 200 to 1000 degree.

Do you have one of these and how does it work?

[captaint]

I think the thermometers are all made by the same company. I got mine from Rotometals. About 25-30bucks is about right. Mine has always been accurate to within 25 - 50 degrees. Certainly good enough for me. enjoy Mike

[Staestc]

I just received mine from Rotometals and it seems well made and worked well. I can't comment on accuracy since I have nothing to compare it to. Only problem is that it does not come with a clip, and since it floats it won't stay in place in the pot. I will have to fashion a clip of some sort.

[dnotarianni]

cheapy for smelting I use a turkey fryer thermometer form Cabellas for $10. Goes to 750.. Got a good digital in my casting pot.
Dave

[largom]

I think the thermometers are all made by the same company. I got mine from Rotometals. About 25-30bucks is about right. Mine has always been accurate to within 25 - 50 degrees. Certainly good enough for me. enjoy Mike


I think you are right! Mine has a Lyman name and checked against my digital it is right on.

Larry

[geargnasher]

I think most of the analog units for casting temps are made by Tel-Tru. I bought a real Tel-Tru from Swede Nelson a year or so ago to supplement my aging RCBS thermometer, they both agree and both work, and also agree pretty closely with my PID thermocouple.

Gear

[MT Gianni]

I just checked your link. They are actually $18.95 plus $6.00 shipping for the longer stem, 200 to 1000 degree.

Do you have one of these and how does it work?

I have a Bacharah made in the 60's for setting up coal furnace conversions to Nat gas or LP. When I was told to scrap the tester, the t/stat came home with me. I use it as a single reference point, ie, when my melt looks good I reference the temperature. If it is 675 for that mold then I take it to 675 the next time I cast with it. If it is off 10% I am not concerned about it. I would not use it to try and confirm melt temps of an unknown alloy unless I had checked it with a known example of that alloy. Repeatability is what I am after and that style gives it to me.

[William Yanda]

I'm getting along with a bbq thermometer I picked up at a Hardware store. Only goes to 750 but I have a PID almost assembled to work the higher temps. Ran $8 and change-but then I'm a self acknowledged bottom feeder.

[Just Duke]

Brownells has one and I really like their warrantee