Baitman0928 Posted December 29, 2008 Report Share Posted December 29, 2008 I was browsing cabelas website and noticed they have a laser infrared thermometer that reads temps from around 75-400 degrees. I was wondering if anyone uses anything like this to measure the temp of your plastic when pouring? seems like it would be a good tool to help with consistency. any thoughts?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveh Posted December 29, 2008 Report Share Posted December 29, 2008 there are guys on here that use them. i just eyeball my plastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kajan Posted December 29, 2008 Report Share Posted December 29, 2008 I just got one, I like it, let you see exactly whats goin on. I am sure many on here use Infared Thermometers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basseducer Posted December 29, 2008 Report Share Posted December 29, 2008 Baitman, I use one and really like it. I got mine from Harbor Freight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baitman0928 Posted December 29, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 29, 2008 Do the infrared ones work well? I was thinking that the surface temp of the plastic may differ a little from the middle or bottom? Or is it usually the same? I was thinking it may be better to get a thermometer with a tip that you stick down into the plastic? What are your thoughts on this? Would the infrared one be just as accurate as the on with the stick in tip? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted December 29, 2008 Report Share Posted December 29, 2008 Baitman, you are correct, the spread of heat will not be consistent right through. So it is all about interpretation of the numbers rather than the actual numbers. By taking the surface temperature and making a few notes about the pour, you will soon arrive at the ideal surface temperature to achieve the best pour, even though this number is different to the theoretical pour temperature. The probe thermometer, arguably will give a more accurate spot reading, but no more useful than the infra red thermometer. Consistency is what counts, no matter what thermometer you use, the procedure must be identical each time, taking the measurement from the same location each time. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bear21211 Posted December 29, 2008 Report Share Posted December 29, 2008 Baitman I am sure there is a slight difference between the surface temp and the bottom of plastic but I think it will be close enough to achieve the results you are looking for. I personally use an infrared now switching from an older style cooking thermometer. The infrared is much faster and easier and I feel works as good or better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basseducer Posted December 29, 2008 Report Share Posted December 29, 2008 Baitman, I mainly pour from a presto pot with a stirrer. It is easyer to just shoot into the pot and get an instant reading than stop the stirrer, insert the probe and waite for a reading. It works best for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTfishingrods Posted December 30, 2008 Report Share Posted December 30, 2008 With a presto pot that is contantly stirring you will get more of an accurate reading also than just an idle pot of plastic. The stirring pot will have an almost even temp throughout the entire batch including the surface. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSC Posted December 30, 2008 Report Share Posted December 30, 2008 With a presto pot that is contantly stirring you will get more of an accurate reading also than just an idle pot of plastic. The stirring pot will have an almost even temp throughout the entire batch including the surface. I am with you MT .. A good example of this is to remelt some plastic with out stirring ... takes forever ... turn on the stirrer and it will mix and bring the whole batch around to the same thru out. Been thinking of getting a In Thermometer .. JSC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike-A-Pike Posted December 30, 2008 Report Share Posted December 30, 2008 Baitman, I would think that regardless of the type of thermometer used, your reading would be more accurate if you steer it before before taking the temperature. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hazmail Posted December 30, 2008 Report Share Posted December 30, 2008 (edited) Baitman- You have got me thinking 'Infra Red' now. I had a look on "fleabay" today, and I think there is some great value there, compared to Cabelas. Distance to area ratio and temp range seems to be the critical bit's, a reasonable one has 12:1 - I can think of lots of other fishing uses for these - don't get one with an ear probe!! HUUMMMMMMMM. pete Edited December 30, 2008 by hazmail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTfishingrods Posted December 30, 2008 Report Share Posted December 30, 2008 There are so many uses for these you wont believe it until you get one. I kept mine form my HVAC years and I still use it all the time. Fishing, BBQ, automotive use, messing with the kids, you can even check the R-value of your walls with one. Cheap entertainment. LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drof99 Posted December 31, 2008 Report Share Posted December 31, 2008 I have on of these and it has helped me figure out that I was nuking my plastic just a little too long. Works great! Like others have said, you need to stir before or while check the temp. I had mine before I started pouring. I use it for checking the temp of a nitro powered rc monster truck. A good place to look for these are a hobby store. I did not spend even $30 on mine. Like the guy before me said they are a ton of fun. You'll be checking the temp of everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveh Posted January 6, 2009 Report Share Posted January 6, 2009 well looks like i may have to buy one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
