Infrared thermometer ??

[Tswafford]

Can I use an infrared thermometer to measure the temp of my molten lead, or do I need a regular type? Thanks

[Hammerlane]

In the past I have used both. If you need the exact temp use a lead thermometer. The shiny surface of lead will a false reading but close.

[bangerjim]

Use the search engine on this site for the answers to most questions. This has been covered at least 4 times in the past 30 days.

The answer is............... absolutely NO.

Read this:
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?218633-Mold-temperature

The IR will not even be close. Besides, IF you REALLY DO want to measure temp of the pot (I and many other successful casters do not do it at all) you need to be down inside the melt, not on the surface where it is the coolest anyway.

Use you IR to check furnace and AC register temps. Works perfectly.

Good luck!

banger

[redgum]

Can I use an infrared thermometer to measure the temp of my molten lead, or do I need a regular type? Thanks
Good question, I have often wondered exactly that......
Oh well, now we know I guess ;)

[Baryngyl]

It may not measure the temp exactly but it can by used to keep track of what temp works best for an alloy or certain mold, then you can bring it back to that temp next time even if the temp it is reading is not exactly what the lead temp really is.
You can also float a piece of old rusty steel on top of the lead and take your reading on the steel piece each time.
It may not be the best thermometer to use but if it is all you have at the moment use what you have.



Michael Grace

[dragon813gt]

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?190209-Infrared-Thermometer-Test

You can use it to give you an inaccurate but repeatable value for mold temps if you have dark matte paint on it somewhere.

For lead, absolutely not. The IR thermometers do not match the emissivity of lead. Floating a metal object on top of the lead does not work either.

Do people not use Google? There are ten hits for this site alone for a vague search.

[leadbutt]

Ah.... he must have gotten the harbor freight ad in the mail too.:drinks:

[GMT210]

I use a lyman & thermocouple PID. Initially use lyman to calibrate PID, & just never pulled it out. I like having a backup.