Reloading EverythingMidSouth Shooters SupplyTitan ReloadingInline Fabrication
Load DataLee PrecisionRepackboxWideners
RotoMetals2
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 36

Thread: Anyone on these forums selling inexpensive PIDs?

  1. #1
    Boolit Master prickett's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Middle Tennessee
    Posts
    805

    Anyone on these forums selling inexpensive PIDs?

    I'm looking for an inexpensive PID from a forum vendor that is plug and play ready for a casting pot. Alternatively, the cheapest possible solution from another source. I know nothing about electronics or PIDs, so it'd have to be as near plug and play as possible.

  2. #2
    Moderator


    Minerat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Jefferson County, CO
    Posts
    9,545
    Depends on what you call inexpensive.

    Hatch sell them and only hear good things about them and his customer service.

    http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...-setup-UPDATE!

  3. #3
    Boolit Master

    rancher1913's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Location
    plains of colorado
    Posts
    3,640
    you get what you pay for. 2nd hatches pids, they are plug and play and easy to use
    if you are ever being chased by a taxidermist, don't play dead

  4. #4
    Boolit Master

    Sig556r's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Location
    West of H-Town
    Posts
    1,055
    +1 on Hatch

  5. #5
    Banned



    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Color Me Gone
    Posts
    8,401
    Agree Hatch

  6. #6
    Super Moderator Emeritus
    Preacher Jim's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Location
    Missouri
    Posts
    5,337
    you will not go wrong with Hatch's unit. his standing behind his unit is tops.

  7. #7
    Boolit Grand Master

    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    England,Ar
    Posts
    7,687
    I don't have one of Hatch's but I remember the threads from where he designed and started building them. I also remember his willingness to help other members who were building their own, despite the fact that he was building them to sell. To me, this speaks volumes about a persons character. I would buy one of his with a high degree of confidence. He can't be making very much from them for the price that he sells them for.

  8. #8
    Boolit Master


    Walter Laich's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Cypress, Republic of Texas
    Posts
    3,483
    PIDs are wonderful--you'll wonder why you waited so long to get one.

    I have one on my PD oven and holds temp ±1° once it gets up to temp.
    NRA Life
    USPSA L1314
    SASS Life 48747
    RVN/Cambodia War Games, 2nd Place

  9. #9
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Sep 2016
    Posts
    2,659
    I have two of Hatch's PID's, so that's two more enthusiastic thumbs up.

  10. #10
    Boolit Bub
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Posts
    67
    Ditto on Hatche's PIDs, I emailed him on a Fri I think it was, he didn't have any in stock but had enough parts to build one more and did it over the weekend. He shipped it out on Mon, I got it by the end of the week and casted with it all last weekend, he even pre-set the temp.....

  11. #11
    Boolit Master
    Dragonheart's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Katy, Texas
    Posts
    2,705
    Putting together a PID is not that difficult, mainly a willingness to try. Amazon has a package that includes a PID, relay, heatsink & thermocouple for $40 prime delivered. Adding a longer probe for $8 would make it more user friendly. In addition an electrical line with an outlet and a plug, a box to house it all would get it working.

  12. #12
    Boolit Master prickett's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Middle Tennessee
    Posts
    805
    Do you have a link for the Amazon PID? $40 was around the price I was shooting for.

  13. #13
    Boolit Master
    Dragonheart's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Katy, Texas
    Posts
    2,705
    Quote Originally Posted by prickett View Post
    Do you have a link for the Amazon PID? $40 was around the price I was shooting for.
    Try a search: Inkbird F Display PID Temperature Controllers Thermostat ITC-106VH, K Sensor, Heat Sink and Solid State Relay, 100ACV - 240ACV (ITC-106VH + 40A SSR + Black heat sink + K Probe) $39.99 prime free same day shipping.

    The K probe that comes with this package works OK in an oven, but for a melting pot you need one with a longer stem, also a box, wire, connectors, switch, cord, etc. If $40 is your limit I would rethink the project.

  14. #14
    ADMIN



    HATCH's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Lexington, SC
    Posts
    6,704
    I will be honest with y’all.
    I have about $80 In the units I make.
    I buy in bulk.
    Thermocouples 20 at a time
    Enclosures 10 at a time
    Circuit breakers 20 at time
    Power cords 20 at a time.
    PID w/SSR 5 at a time.

    I buy the quantities listed above because of price breaks or because of long lead times.
    The PIDs are only in Ga so I can get them in a couple days.
    The rest of the parts can take up to 3 weeks to get in so I order a bunch.

    I spent $150 on a knockout that I use to cut the 1/32 hole.
    Yes I sell them for $125 shipped.
    That means I have about $35 profit per unit not taking away the PP fees
    10 units take me a Saturday to build.
    This includes driving 40 mins to the machine shop to use the mill as a expensive drill press.

    Get your parts from Auber.
    They are good parts and you will get years of service out of them

  15. #15
    ADMIN



    HATCH's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Lexington, SC
    Posts
    6,704
    if you want to go the cheap route (good luck)

    https://www.amazon.com/Inkbird-Therm...-2-spons&psc=1
    https://www.amazon.com/uxcell-Temper...-2-spons&psc=1

    I haven't used the above parts but they should work just fine.

    that puts you about $38 or so
    You will still need a power cord
    https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-...7&sr=8-10&th=1

    enclosure (not sure if this is the correct size)
    https://www.amazon.com/Jameco-Valuep...ateway&sr=8-11

    on/off switch
    https://www.amazon.com/Gardner-Bende...gateway&sr=8-6


    When you wire the switch, you want to break the power wire that goes to the PID itself. This is switching just a 1/2 amp.
    You do not want to switch the entire 15 amp load. Just the PID itself.

  16. #16
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Location
    South Central PA
    Posts
    760
    Quote Originally Posted by HATCH View Post
    if you want to go the cheap route (good luck)

    https://www.amazon.com/Inkbird-Therm...-2-spons&psc=1
    https://www.amazon.com/uxcell-Temper...-2-spons&psc=1

    I haven't used the above parts but they should work just fine.

    that puts you about $38 or so
    You will still need a power cord
    https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-...7&sr=8-10&th=1

    enclosure (not sure if this is the correct size)
    https://www.amazon.com/Jameco-Valuep...ateway&sr=8-11

    on/off switch
    https://www.amazon.com/Gardner-Bende...gateway&sr=8-6


    When you wire the switch, you want to break the power wire that goes to the PID itself. This is switching just a 1/2 amp.
    You do not want to switch the entire 15 amp load. Just the PID itself.
    Now that speeks VOLUMES for the type of person he is. If i were in the market for one, i would most CERTAINLY get one of his.

  17. #17
    Boolit Master
    Dragonheart's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Katy, Texas
    Posts
    2,705
    My first PID was a powder coating conversion of a 30" all digital convection oven where the electronics were toast, so for me it was a fun hobby project and cost was not an issue.

    If you figure your time as worth anything you are not going to save any money building your own box, easier to pay the $125.

  18. #18
    Boolit Bub
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Posts
    51
    It's been a while, so I can't remember the exact cost, but I know that I had over $70 just in parts when I built mine. I also used an old PC power supply, that I had on hand, for the box, and had the cords & switch that I used. If you're not good with electronics, then $125 is a great deal.

  19. #19
    Boolit Master

    Mike W1's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Rural Sumner, IA
    Posts
    1,317
    Quote Originally Posted by HATCH View Post
    if you want to go the cheap route (good luck)

    https://www.amazon.com/Inkbird-Therm...-2-spons&psc=1
    https://www.amazon.com/uxcell-Temper...-2-spons&psc=1

    I haven't used the above parts but they should work just fine.

    that puts you about $38 or so
    You will still need a power cord
    https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-...7&sr=8-10&th=1

    enclosure (not sure if this is the correct size)
    https://www.amazon.com/Jameco-Valuep...ateway&sr=8-11

    on/off switch
    https://www.amazon.com/Gardner-Bende...gateway&sr=8-6


    When you wire the switch, you want to break the power wire that goes to the PID itself. This is switching just a 1/2 amp.
    You do not want to switch the entire 15 amp load. Just the PID itself.
    I may be misunderstanding this last statement you made but what you said doesn't jibe with the various wiring diagrams that I've seen. Just relooked at several of them. I assume you mean killing the power to the PID with the switch which would make sense. If the PID isn't powered obviously the SSR isn't going to get a signal to switch the power on/off to the load (lead pot). That what you meant?
    Mike

    Benefactor Member NRA
    Life Member Iowa Firearms Coalition
    US Army Vet

    There are two ways to conquer and enslave a nation.
    One is by the sword. The other is by debt.”
    John Adams 1826

  20. #20
    Boolit Master prickett's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Middle Tennessee
    Posts
    805
    Quote Originally Posted by Dragonheart View Post
    My first PID was a powder coating conversion of a 30" all digital convection oven where the electronics were toast, so for me it was a fun hobby project and cost was not an issue.

    If you figure your time as worth anything you are not going to save any money building your own box, easier to pay the $125.
    But the knowledge you gain by building yourself is worth quite a bit. I'm an electronics newb who wants to learn to do more. If cheap, that would lessen the pain if I screw up.

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check