Casting Thermometers

[dale2242]

Lyman or RCBS? Which to buy?

[Morgan Astorbilt]

Don't know who makes them, they might both be identical. I've been using an RCBS for many years, and am satisfied with it.
Morgan

[Bret4207]

Whichever is cheaper.

[mtgrs737]

I have an RCBS and am happy with it. I have just bought another no-name brand on ebay because it was cheap at $14.95 shipping included but havent got it yet so I can't comment on how good it is.

[Gar]

I bought a new Lyman thermometer about a month ago and it broke the first time I used it. It read up to 700 degrees and then stopped, the needle would just jump around if you tapped it. Not sure if the new RCBS thermometer is any better but it couldn't be any worst then the Lyman

[Forester]

I have both and though the RCBS is much higher priced it is well worth it IMO. Far and away a better thermometer.

The Lyman is jerky and jumps from one temp to the next, it makes it hard to trust it. I tend to tap the face of it several times to try and make it settle on whatever the real temp is.

The RCBS on the other hand is smooth and quick to get to temperature. It inspires much more confidence than the Lyman.

[klw]

RCBS would guarantee theirs forever. Hard to go wrong with that. Just make sure that the needle does not drag on the surface behind it.

[hpdrifter]

Lyman or RCBS? Which to buy?

I bought two Lymans and both are broken and I never got one temp reading from either.

[Shiloh]

Spend the extra $12-$15 and get the RCBS.

Look up some of the negatives on the Lyman thermometer.:(
RCBS is as good as gold when it comes to maintenance... IF ever needed.
I haven't had a lick of trouble with my RCBS thermometer.

Shiloh :castmine:

[Swamprat1052]

My Lyman sets around 500 degrees, whether in hot alloy or the Southern Califorina air. I'll go with an RCBS next time for sure. I just looked at it and I dont think its that hot outside today.

Swamprat

[mtgrs737]

I would like to add that Bill Furguson the "Antimony Man" also sells thermometers and I think that they are about the same price as the RCBS unit, I would give him a call and check them out before I bought one.

[mtgrs737]

I got my $15 therometer form the ebay guy late last week and got the time to test it out today. It ran neck and neck with my RCBS unit up to 700 degrees. At the final temp reading the RCBS unit read 750 degrees and the KATV unit read 725 degrees. Which one is right? I don't know but they are very close and the movement on the KATV unit was very smooth just like the RCBS unit. I will do some more testing and report back later. My conclusion: If a fellow was tight on money and just couldn't spend $40 on an RCBS then maybe the KATV $15 (This price includes shipping) unit would give him an idea where the temp is. This unit has a bigger dial than the RCBS unit and is easy to read. I bought it to use during my smelting operation where things can get a little rough.

[Swamprat1052]

mtgrs/37,

Do you know if that guy has any more of those? If so how do I get in touch with him. My Lyman sure is a piece of junk.

Swamprat

[Swamprat1052]

I ordered a thermometer from that place, I think they have lots of em. Here is the link to the ebay store:

http://stores.ebay.com/Bent5460s-Shop

I finally got a reply from Lyman about my Lyman Thermometer that crapped out the first time I used it. They told me to tap on the dial (wish I had thought about that. lol) and if it dont work to send it back .Its on its way to Conneticut I aint gonna hold my breath but maybe the next one will work.

Swamprat

[AZ-Stew]

Dale,

Take a look at this post: http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=19447 , scroll down to post #15, and be sure to follow the links in the other posts. They will take you to my other posts regarding the Harbor Freight Digital Thermometer. It's a pretty nice uint for the price, and $10 or so less than the Lyman or RCBS dial units. The last link will take you to a photo of the unit.

Regards,

Stew

[spurgon]

Will a turkey fryer thermometer work?
spurgon

[454PB]

Do turkey fryer thermometers go to 1000 degrees? I don't own one, but I doubt it.

[AZ Pete]

Got the same $15 thermometer that Swamprat mentioned (from eBay). Arrived promptly, and I just gave it the old "boiling water test" it registered just under 210 degrees. We are at about 1,000 ft elevation, so that would put the thermometer within a hair of being right on the money. I would have to quess that it will be more than accurate enough for casting lead boolets..........particularly since I have been casting since 1966 without benefit of any kind of thermometer.

[bobthewelder]

So, any thermometer that reads from 200-1000 should be good for this?

[AZ Pete]

Seems to me.

[Lloyd Smale]

i guess its one casting assesory ive never used or seen a use for. I cast with many differnt alloys and about know where my pots need to be set for them and to me its more of a matter of feel anyway as every batch of alloy is slightly differnt and a guy ends up fine tuning heat anyway. A batch of say #2 that you cast today may not be the exact #2 as yesterday and even if it is the fact that the outside temp might be differnt and even the rythm your casting at that day will cause a need to adjust temps slightly anyway. I just cast at the temp the alloy and the mold like and dont worry about what the exact temp my melt is that day.

[Tom-n8ies]

Anyone know if he has any more thermometers? I don't see them listed in his store. I would like to get one.


tom

[Poygan]

I'm with Lloyd. I have a Lyman thermometer and can't remember the last time I've used it. I work with each alloy and mold with each session until it produces good results, which usually doesn't take long.

[bobthewelder]

OK, now that I got mine, all let ya'all in on a seekret. I got 21-1632-Y during my lunch hour today. I thought the 6" looked too short for mysmelting pot. Also just picked up my Lyman Master Kastor ckit.

http://www.surpluscenter.com/sort.asp?numrec=20&lastrec=120&sort=1&search=thermometer&UID=2008011519234173

[timkelley]

Thanks for finding this Bob. I have one on the way, too. Hope it works.

[AZ-Stew]

Beat me up, if you will, for having a cheap pot (like many others here) in the Lee Pro 4-20, but the thermostat settings on it don't even approach reality as far as temps are concerned. In addition, it has huge swings between settings. It takes a good thermometer to get it close to a good casting temp. Otherwise, it's either 900 degrees and bullets exit the mould as slush or 500 degrees and the spout freezes. One of these days I'll modify it for one of those electronic temp controls.

In addition, the thermometer is invaluable to prevent the smelting pot from getting so hot that it will melt zinc WWs that got past visual inspection.

I cast for 30 years without a thermometer, but now wouldn't be without one.

Regards,

Stew

[Edward429451]

it has huge swings between settings.

Sounds like your T-stat is on the fritz. I have a setup I use with a K-type thermocouple and a SS probe, and basically just use it to check calibration of my Lee & RCBS pots (as well as smelting). My Lee is right on the money.