RepackboxReloading EverythingWidenersMidSouth Shooters Supply
RotoMetals2Inline FabricationLee PrecisionLoad Data
Titan Reloading
Results 1 to 12 of 12

Thread: High temperature thermometer, Pyrometer

  1. #1
    Boolit Bub
    Join Date
    Apr 2021
    Location
    NE Ohio
    Posts
    46

    High temperature thermometer, Pyrometer

    Hi everyone, I'm new to casting and smelting/melting so I hope you can endure yet one more member asking questions, some of which have been answered multiple times before.

    I have been reading for hours and hours here and other sites, as well as watched countless Youtube videos.
    Many of my questions have already been answered, but a few linger.

    For example, to help maintain a good temperature range for pouring, does anyone have recommendations for a thermometer/pyrometer that won't break the budget?


    I've found this after searching around: $58.55 + shipping

    High temperature thermometer, Pyrometer -eBay item number:110919244698
    Last edited by HATCH; 04-23-2021 at 01:00 PM. Reason: remove ebay link - rule violation

  2. #2
    Banned
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Posts
    3,409
    Welcome to CB Muser
    The best way to maintain temperature when casting is to hook a PID to the pot.

  3. #3
    Boolit Bub
    Join Date
    Jan 2021
    Location
    Southern California
    Posts
    46
    Muser, I'm a new caster. Just purchased a rotometals thermometer at amazon a month ago that is priced better than what you are looking at.

    https://www.amazon.com/RotoMetals-Pe...8896831&sr=8-6

    However, if you do a search function in these forums, you will certainly find other alternatives that could even be cheaper.

  4. #4
    Boolit Master

    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    JAX, FL
    Posts
    1,228
    go back to Amazon and search for ‘lead thermometer’ about 6 items down there will be a 3” faced one for $18.43 with free shipping. the 3” face is kinda HUGE when u get it in your hands but can’t beat the price. I use mine to double check my thermocouples and for big pot smelting.
    Last edited by oley55; 04-23-2021 at 11:03 AM.
    “Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem.” Ronald Reagan


  5. #5
    Boolit Bub
    Join Date
    Apr 2021
    Location
    NE Ohio
    Posts
    46
    Thanks guys, for your suggestions.
    I'll look into them.

  6. #6
    Boolit Buddy Pigboat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    Western Tennessee
    Posts
    130

  7. #7
    Boolit Grand Master In Remembrance
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    South Jersey
    Posts
    6,314
    I’ve been using this same 1000 degree bi-metal Tel Tru thermometer since I started casting years ago ...
    https://www.teltru.com/p-272-big-gre...degrees-f.aspx
    They are the #1 thermometer manufacturer in the US. Other companies buy from them - remark their name on the bevel and jack up the price.
    Note ... you can hang this one on the pot for constant melt temp reading plus it can be recalibrated
    Last edited by John Boy; 04-23-2021 at 11:42 AM.
    Regards
    John

  8. #8
    Boolit Master

    Kraschenbirn's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    East Central IL
    Posts
    3,448
    Quote Originally Posted by John Boy View Post
    I’ve been using this same 1000 degree bi-metal Tel Tru thermometer since I started casting years ago ...
    https://www.teltru.com/p-272-big-gre...degrees-f.aspx
    They are the #1 thermometer manufacturer in the US. Other companies buy from them - remark their name on the bevel and jack up the price.
    Note ... you can hang this one on the pot for constant melt temp reading plus it can be recalibrated
    Hmmm...this looks just like the pot thermometer that I've been using for the last 30-odd years except mine says "Lyman" on the face instead of "Tel-Tru." Last winter, I checked it against an electronic unit with a thermocouple probe and it matched within 1 dial graduation (+/- 10 deg.) all the way up to 650...which is the upper limit for my electronic.

    Bill
    "I'm not often right but I've never been wrong."

    Jimmy Buffett
    "Scarlet Begonias"

  9. #9
    Boolit Grand Master

    imashooter2's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    PA
    Posts
    7,899
    Go to eBay and lowball an endless series of Tel Tru 1,000 degree thermometers until 1 comes home.
    ”We know they are lying, they know they are lying, they know we know they are lying, we know they know we know they are lying, yet they are still lying.” –Aleksandr Isayevich Solzhenitsyn

    My Straight Shooters thread:
    http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...raight-shooter

    The Pewter Pictures and Hallmarks thread:
    http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...-and-hallmarks

  10. #10
    Boolit Grand Master In Remembrance
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    South Jersey
    Posts
    6,314
    Other companies buy from them - remark their name on the bevel and jack up the price.

    nearly all the reloading companies do this, including Lyman
    Buy the thermometer straight from Tel-Tru (Price: $26.08) and avoid the middleman

    Same thermometer https://www.adorama.com/ly2867793.ht...ce=adl-gbase-p

    Lyman Lead Bullet Casting Thermometer .... $56.95
    Last edited by John Boy; 04-23-2021 at 10:31 PM.
    Regards
    John

  11. #11
    Boolit Bub 38SuperAuto's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2017
    Posts
    34
    Quote Originally Posted by Conditor22 View Post
    The best way to maintain temperature when casting is to hook a PID to the pot.
    Another option if you think you may want to add feedback temp control to your lead pot is to buy a PID controller unit and thermocouple probe. There are sticky posts, explaining PID temp control on this forum. To finish it, you'd only need a solid state relay.

  12. #12
    Boolit Bub
    Join Date
    Apr 2021
    Location
    NE Ohio
    Posts
    46
    Thanks guys for all the leads, I'm looking into them.
    I appreciate it.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check