Best Thermometer Or Infrared Gun?

[floridacrappieguy]

Just getting into all of this plastic stuff and would like to know a good thermometer or infrared gun to get that I can find at a local hardware or home improvement store. Thanks yall

[toadfrog]

Just get yoru self a long stem meat thermometer . Digital or not don't really matter except for the price .

You can stir with it while you get your temp in the center of the plastic . Infra red just gets surface temp . The plastic can be to hot in the center but read less on the surface .

[Frank]

Not sure why some people think the ir guns don't seem to be accurate but a thermometer has a probe that can be on the bottom or middle which give you the same so an ir gun just in a different spot. I stir the plastic and take a reading, as you stir the temp will stabilize and the reading will give you a great base to start your own findings. I have both and if the plastic gets down to the bottom the reading on the thermometer is nonexistent. When full there is about ten degrees difference but not a big deal as it is mostly for a reference.

You can get an ok one from harbor freight for under thirty dollars. Cheaper if you get an online coupon. Other from say Home Depot and lowes are in the 80 range. They are used for the hvac and electrical industry so they will be in that area of the store. Use it to get a reference and get a system down that will work for you.

Frank

[mark poulson]

Not sure why some people think the ir guns don't seem to be accurate but a thermometer has a probe that can be on the bottom or middle which give you the same so an ir gun just in a different spot. I stir the plastic and take a reading, as you stir the temp will stabilize and the reading will give you a great base to start your own findings. I have both and if the plastic gets down to the bottom the reading on the thermometer is nonexistent. When full there is about ten degrees difference but not a big deal as it is mostly for a reference.

You can get an ok one from harbor freight for under thirty dollars. Cheaper if you get an online coupon. Other from say Home Depot and lowes are in the 80 range. They are used for the hvac and electrical industry so they will be in that area of the store. Use it to get a reference and get a system down that will work for you.

Frank

 

I do the same, and use a Harbor Freight IR thermometer.

Edited July 18, 2013 by mark poulson

[cbj11lbs]

I like the one that home depot sells, we call it the laser gun.  But you have to stir the plastic to get an accurate reading like mentioned above.  I pointed it up at the sky one night and it said -77.  Guess thats what temperature the moon is haha

[gone2long]

As stated and agree you're not going to get an exact reading and you're looking for a baseline once you establish that then the gun will serve you well.