PID Furnace Control Poll

[mmorris]

I am interested to find out how the members here feel about PID control.

Looks like I made the last three questions orphans.
Sorry, my first poll

[Jailer]

Personal choice, just like most other things.

I love mine as it gives me one less thing to keep an eye on while casting. Some see it as a unnecessary complication and expense.

To each their own.

[mmorris]

I built mine for about $88 cash outlay. I had a case, heat sink and wires.

[blikseme300]

If I had to start over again with CB's the first thing I would get is a PID. Consistency is important for accuracy and having a PID helps during casting to achieve this goal. Just my opinion of course.

[leadman]

I built mine from parts purchased on e-bay. Was necessary due to new thermostat from RCBS only controls temperature to 50 degree swing. The new RCBS pro-Melts are using this same thermostat so if you buy you will probably need a PID.

[btroj]

I am interested but can see how the dollars might be better spent elsewhere. I managed for 30 years without one, I suppose I can go another 30.

[dverna]

I ordered one a few days ago from Frozone.

As a ex-Process Control Engineer, ANYTHING you can do to reduce variables will result in a better product and process repeatability.

There are two extremes with CB's. Those who try to do it as inexpensively as possible and those who strive to take the "art" to a science. There is a continuum between these extremes.

My advice is to buy the best equipment you can possibly afford. Most of this stuff lasts for decades. Short term savings can quickly become long term compromises. But I am lazy and try to produce high quality ammo at a high production rate with minimal "issues".

Don Verna

[dragon813gt]

Love my PID. Set the temp and don't worry. Temp changes are quick and easy. Just tonight I had to bump the temp up 10 degrees to get the bullets to drop freely from the mold. Attempting to do this with a thermometer is doable but takes constant monitoring. The expense of one is minimal in my opinion. But I'm also the guy that buys a tool if he needs it to perform a task. Even if I will only be performing this task once in my lifetime. Buy once, cry once is how I buy tools.

[jmort]

Got one from ButterNutZ. Very nice unit and a good guy

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...r-for-your-pot

[Beagle333]

Bought one from Frozone. I was tired of chasing the dial on my Lee.

[lancem]

Tired of trying to remember which scratch marks on my old Lyman meant what, don't think I have $40 in it. As a retired EE I'm wondering why I didn't do this a long time ago!

[tward]

Bought one from Frozone, took a little practice but now I love it! Tim

[uscra112]

Had a Variac on my pot when I was last using it. Less variation in temp than a thermostat with 50 degrees of hysteresis, but I still had to watch the thermometer. Might go PID after the Christmas bills get paid off. Blew a wad setting up my long-disused lathe, so no $$ for a while. Unless I sell something.

[Oreo]

How did that work with the variac uscra112? I have one sitting on a shelf I could use if it's worthwhile. I imagine setting the thermostat to the highest temp to hold it on constantly then using the variac to dial back the heating element to reach an equilibrium temperature at whatever you're trying to cast at.

[SciFiJim]

I voted for "Have one: homemade."

I could also vote for:

My PID is external (plug in)

[220]

I voted have one home made, haven't actually made it yet but all the components have been purchased and are in transit to my place, just waiting for them to arrive.

[Buzz64]

Frozone's work great!

[Walter Laich]

I enjoyed the challenge of building it from plans off of Cast Boolists

Works fine

walt

[prs]

I purchased one pre-made that plugs in between the wall outlet and the pot(s). Works great and agrees very closely with my conventional thermometer.

prs

[hanleyfan]

I have cast for years without one but it was a hassle to keep temperature right, got one of Frozone's and it works great! It made me wonder why I did not buy one sooner, best thing I ever did for my casting success.