Casting Thermometer -- anyone try this?

[Tazman1602]

Was just looking around on the web for a casting thermometer but didn't want to pay $40 and shipping. Found this one:

http://www.teltru.com/p-272-big-green-egg-grill-dome-kamado-replacement-thermometer-lt225r-2001000-degrees-f.aspx

for $19.95 plus shipping and just wondering if anyone had tried one out. For that money I may just buy it and try it. Looks identical to Lyman/RCBS Thermo....

Art

[cajun shooter]

I have used one for years. They will custom make you one as I ordered one with a 10 in stem

[John Boy]

Tazman, Brownells, Lyman, RCBS and others have been buying this same thermometer from Tel-Tru for YEARS. The only difference is the Brownells, etc have Tel-Tru put put their name on it and folks who don't know any better buy it at the inflated price. You know, it's kind of like designer jeans
I've had the Tel-Tru, which I bought directly from them @19 bucks, since about 2002. Have been happy casting with it ever since and the quality is excellent. Will hold an accurate temperature reading and works in a 20# pot.

Like any bi-metal thermometer, it has a band which must be in the melt otherwise the reading will be different than the actual temperature of the lead. This is stated with the instructions that comes with the thermometer.

So - buy the designer jeans label one or buy the same thermometer at Tel-Tru's selling price
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=595204
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=1213/Product/?mc_id=100500&gdftrk=gdfV21820_a_7c187_a_7c1563_a_7c084069225_d_ 084069225_d_371&avad=avant
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=357906
They look the same don't they ... only at a substantially marked up price! Like they say... 'A fool and his money are soon parted - Who Got Yours!' :holysheep :groner:

PS: Morning David!

[Tazman1602]

Thanks Guys, put in the order today......................

Art

[John Boy]

Tazman ... Cast pretty bullets using it!

[Cowboy T]

I have this thermometer. You will be happy with it.

[downwind]

I bought 2 of these -one for myself, one for a friend. We have both been very happy with it. I even checked it against a lab grade model and it passed with flying colors! I don't regret this purchase. GOOD LUCK WITH YOURS
Thanks
DOWNWIND :)

[imashooter2]

I have also used a Tel Tru for years with complete satisfaction. Mine is a little larger than that one though.

http://home.comcast.net/~imashooter2/pictures/castset1.jpg

[jmar254]

I have the 150/750, I didn't really see the need to go up too 1000.

Pot will never go above the 750.

Works like a champ.

[geargnasher]

I'm gonna book mark this, I couldn't find the last thread where all this good info was posted and forgot the manufacturer's name! Thanks for starting it anew!. I need a new thermometer, my old one has been redirected to a more essential use (furnace monitor).

Gear

[Hamp54]

Story of my life...I popped the $46 for a RCBS

[Springfield]

Personally I am going for the 200/1000. If I cast at 700 like I sometimes do the other one will be topped out. Seems like it would be easier on the dial and maybe more accurate if you don't make it go almost all the way up. Kinda like over-revving your engine. May not matter but it won't hurt anything either to get the 1000 version.

[Recluse]

Yep, I got one of those some years ago and paid something like $20 that included shipping. It's been a constant casting companion ever since.

:coffee:

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I wish I knew this info 2 months ago when
I ordered a Lyman for $30+ from Midsouth
Jon

[0verkill]

GREAT! For the price of the RCBS I can get the 200/1000 and a roadkill thermometer. http://www.teltru.com/p-284-roadkill-thermometer-rk275r.aspx

[Ernie Chassaniol]

I am new at this forum and I am just getting started in this also . How hot do you get the lead ?

[imashooter2]

I am new at this forum and I am just getting started in this also . How hot do you get the lead ?

Depends on the mold and the alloy. Between 650 and 800 for my gear.

[mdi]

Santa has been sent the link. I have never seen the need for a thermometer, as I've been casting successfully for several years; I just adjust the temp. by the looks of the boolits. But, just out of curosity and a need to know, I think Santa will drop one of these in my stocking...

I plan on using the thermometer to determine the best temp. for each mold and record that and keep the info with each mold so I can get up to speed quicker. I have noticed each of my molds (Lee, Lyman, Ideal) seem to have their own preferred temp.

[zuke]

Exactly what I use.

[montana_charlie]

I have the 150/750, I didn't really see the need to go up too 1000.

Pot will never go above the 750.
Many measuring instruments with a dial readout work less accurately at the extremes of their range than they do somewhere within the range.

You took a thermometer which forces you to get all of your readings from the very top of it's range.

The 200/1000 unit costs exactly the same as the one you chose, so you saved not a single nickle while handicapping your ability to read temperatures.

CM

[Cowboy T]

Actually, I was a calibration technician for several years. Most measuring devices that use dials tend to be more accurate close to the top of their range, so if he's not going beyond 750, he's great.

So why did I go with the 200/1000? Because as a newbie caster, I wasn't sure how hot I needed things to get, and for casting purposes, I don't care about 3% or even 5% accuracy. Turned out to be a good thing, because one of my moulds really prefers 800 deg. F.

[1hole]

"Story of my life...I popped the $46 for a RCBS"

That price ( and Lyman's at $30) gives us an idea of the cost of doing business with the "big boys" who frequently relable things made by others. They do exactly the same thing with their costly Chinese made dial/digital calipers, digital scales, presses, dies, etc.

It should put a few tears in the eye's of the blindly committed "You git what you pay for" boys! ;)

[gray wolf]

That price ( and Lyman's at $30) gives us an idea of the cost of doing business with the "big boys" who frequently relable things made by others. They do exactly the same thing with


Boy ain't that the truth !!!!

Look at the corn cob rip off, $20.00 to my door for 40#. No way will I ever get it from the reloading people again. Drill spot all the way and I got it in 3 day's.

[kend]

Was just looking around on the web for a casting thermometer but didn't want to pay $40 and shipping. Found this one:

http://www.teltru.com/p-272-big-green-egg-grill-dome-kamado-replacement-thermometer-lt225r-2001000-degrees-f.aspx

for $19.95 plus shipping and just wondering if anyone had tried one out. For that money I may just buy it and try it. Looks identical to Lyman/RCBS Thermo....

Art

I went to their site to order it and, us still being on a dial-up connection here, decided to call to place the order. The nice lady said they have an 8" stem version that is a stock item so I wanted that one. Nope, you'll have to call a distributor. Distributor says 39.95. I ordered mine from Brownells. The comments about re-labeling are true, hardly anybody makes their own stuff anymore.

[zuke]

I ordered mine directly from them about 3 year's ago.
Guess they've changed their rule's.

[Tazman1602]

No way dudes, I ordered mine on the web a little over a month ago and ZERO issues....................

Shipped direct from them to me.............................

Art

[brad925]

Might depend on who you talk to. Sometimes the Left hand don't talk to the Right hand!

[a.squibload]

That's the one I got, from Tel-Tru to my PO Box in a few days, no trouble.

[Daddyfixit]

I just ordered this one and it arrived today! The shipping was like $9 but it's still a good deal.

[Skipper488]

Many measuring instruments with a dial readout work less accurately at the extremes of their range than they do somewhere within the range.

You took a thermometer which forces you to get all of your readings from the very top of it's range.

The 200/1000 unit costs exactly the same as the one you chose, so you saved not a single nickle while handicapping your ability to read temperatures.

CM

As an engineer I know that when specing out a gauge of any sort we want the normal operating range to be exactly in the middle of the gauge. Following this rule casters should actually have a 1200-1500 F thermometer as most of us cast somewhere between 600 and 750 F.

[songdog53]

I use one those Tel-Tru 200- 1000 figured would be more worried about low end than top end and have both covered with this one and price lot better too.

[Gelandangan]

Ok, they don't sell to non USA buyers.
One of the vendor/sponsor, SweedeNelson selling the same stuff for $23
and he is willing to send to non USA buyers.
here is the link
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=102777

[gray wolf]

Some of us (me) have been casting for years with no thermometer.
Now we (I) get high tech. and are concerned with a thermometer that might be 5* off the mark ???
Go figure ??
Sometimes I wonder what makes us tick.

[bumpo628]

I just posted this in another thread, but it applies here too.

I found the same thermometer for a little less:
http://www.kck.com/tel-tru_grill_smoker_thermometer.html

Scroll down to the part no. BBQ-TT-200-5-200/1000
The price is $19 + $6 shipping = $25 delivered.
The link above from the manufacturer ends up $29 delivered.