Infrared thermometers - hand held.

[JeffinNZ]

Team.

Are they any good for casting? I have an option on one that goes out to 626F which will cover all my casting requirements.

[454PB]

I have one that works IF you put a penny or a gas check on the top of the melt and put the lazer on it. Infrared themometers don't like shiney surfaces. The penny will turn black quickly in the hot melt.

[kodiak1]

jeff they work and as 454 stated they don't like to shoot the liquid. I would almost think one would want one to go a little hotter if they go over temp it sends them all screwy till they are shut off and turned back on. Mine don't go as high as the one you are looking at but for what I use it shooting temps on engines and compressors it works fantastic.
Ken.

[JeffinNZ]

THANKS. Lucky our 10 cent coin here is still copper then. I might even have some US pennies knocking around I have yet to repatriate.......haha.

I will purchase it then I think.

[Forester]

I think a normal casting thermometer in the pot and the IR thermometer to check the mold temp would be a winning combination. That way you could always have the mold at exactly the right temp.

[Hallorann]

That is a good idea.

What IS the ideal mold temp?

[Rottweiler]

Use a pre 1984 penny those are all copper. Post 84 they are copper plated zinc

[454PB]

Ideal mould temperature varies with the mould, what it's made of, the size and number of cavities, the alloy used, etc., etc. However, I've spot checked some of mine, and they tend to cast best at 300 to 350 degrees. This is tricky to measure, because the temperature varies constantly during the fill, open and dump. and refill cycle. They are the hottest just before the sprue plate is opened.

[WineMan]

My IR thermometer had a "K" thermocouple input on it and I purchased a high temp probe from McMaster-Carr for ~$23. It works great but like all thermometers it needs to be clipped to the side so as not to touch the bottom of the pot. The only down side is that there is a time out feature to preserve the battery and I have to reset it every 15 minutes or so.

Wineman

[calsite]

I picked up a hand held infared therm. for 49.00, I believe it will go up to 900 F. Good idea about the gas check, I was just going to throw a little saw dust on top of my melt for that dull surface, it helps keep the oxidation down too. gas check would do the same thing without the smoke