IR Themometer

[Rustyleee]

I was wondering if anyone uses those IR thermometers for keeping track of the temps in the pot?

[Frozone]

The search engine is your friend.

Yes, people have tried it, the general consensus is it doesn't work well.

A sticky of the relevant threads/post would be a good thing on this subject.

[blikseme300]

It does not work on shiny metals. PID to control the pot or immersion thermometer works.

[ReloaderFred]

It works to find the temperature of your molds and other dark surfaces, but doesn't work on lead alloys. I've tried all kinds of things to get it to give me a good reading, but to no avail.

Hope this helps.

Fred

[bangerjim]

Use the search engines for questions. This had been discussed and cussed ad-nauseum.

It does NOT work.......at all!

If you want pot temp.......buy a standard lead thermometer. Use the IR unit to monitor your AC/furnace duct temps!

Temp is NOT that critical anyway. I have never used any kind of thermometer or fancy temp controllers and my booltis are perfect. It's all "in the feel". You can easily tell if temp is hot or cold by the response/look of the castings you are dropping.

Have fun casting!!!!!!!!!!

Bangerjim

[Rustyleee]

Thanks guys, I've never even used a thermometer before. All my casting has been for pistol bullets before and I'm ready to progress to rifle bullets and a little more precision.

[bpratl]

I use a IR for reading my mold temp during preheating and it works ok for that.
If you float a non reflective 1" x 1" x 1/8" piece of iron, in the pot, you can get approximate pot temperature.
You can't beat a PID for control and monitoring.

[dragon813gt]

Here is the test I did: http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?190209-Infrared-Thermometer-Test

Buy the thermometer that Rotometals sells. Knowing your alloy temp really helps but isn't necessary. You will be amazed at the temp swings in your pot in relation to thermostat setting and how full the pot is. If you don't want to worry about adjusting it constantly, buy or make a PID. They're not necessary but sure are convenient.

[John Boy]

Buy the thermometer that Rotometals sells.
Why buy the Rotometals thermometer for $38 without the clip ... http://www.rotometals.com/product-p/Lead_Thermometer.htm?gclid=CPe20b6i3bsCFW9nOgodnEU AaQ
When you can buy the same thermometer from the company that makes them for all the vendors with the clip for $21 ... http://www.rotometals.com/product-p/Lead_Thermometer.htm?gclid=CPe20b6i3bsCFW9nOgodnEU AaQ

[dragon813gt]

You posted the same link twice. And that's my fault for not checking Rotometals price. It wasn't that much more than what TelTrue was charging when I bought mine. I don't see what use the clip would be but it's not like it would hurt to have it.