workhurts Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 I would like to get a thermometer to use when melting lead. Any suggestions for an inexpensive one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhahn427 Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 I would like to get a thermometer to use when melting lead. Any suggestions for an inexpensive one? Infrared Thermometer ............ Harbor Freight is the cheapest I know of Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlaery Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 Infrared Thermometer ............ Harbor Freight is the cheapest I know of I bought a Infrared Thermometer and it won't work on molten lead. I called the company (I bought mine from a tool supply and give $80 for it)It had somthing to do with the color of the surface of the lead that caused it not to work. I know, that sounds crazy. I bought an electronic thermometer from Cole-Palmer.com for around $25. then I had to buy a thermocouple that would take the heat. Then put it inside of a metal tube to keep the lead off of the thermocoupler and put that in your lead. the metal thermocoupler cost as much as the thermometer. that may be more that you wanted to spend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatman Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 Go to RCBS reloading supplies, they have a good one that the guys on Cast Boolits talk about all the time $50 bucks or so. fatman I bought a Infrared Thermometer and it won't work on molten lead. I called the company (I bought mine from a tool supply and give $80 for it)It had somthing to do with the color of the surface of the lead that caused it not to work. I know, that sounds crazy. I bought an electronic thermometer from Cole-Palmer.com for around $25. then I had to buy a thermocouple that would take the heat. Then put it inside of a metal tube to keep the lead off of the thermocoupler and put that in your lead. the metal thermocoupler cost as much as the thermometer. that may be more that you wanted to spend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
workhurts Posted January 4, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 Yeah I tried the infrared route, shiny surfaces do not work. Owners manual recommends placing black masking tape on the surface and allowing it to heat up then measure. Somehow thinking that might not work <sarcasm>. I'll look into the rcbs thermometer vs thermocouple. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
