casting thermometer

[david50]

where might one look for a casting thermometer,one that goes to 700 degreese or more

 

[MercerLake]

:v I use a Non-contact infared Pyrometer from Harbor Freight,read the temperature of the inside of the iron pot near the top just above the lead. Also have a John Fluke Thermocouple Digital meter with a Type K thermocouple. There are other insertion thermometers available from Lyman. :v

 

[Thunderchild]

I have been casting bullets, fishing sinkers and Jigs for twenty years. I have never used a lead thermometer. You can get one at midway or most stores that sell lead melting equipment have them. RCBS and Lyman make them. I have heard the RCBS thermometer is better made. However that being said, I really don’t think one is needed to cast bullets or any thing else for that matter. Get Soft lead, use clean moulds and cast by trial and error. If you have wrinkles on the bullet the lead or the mold is to cold. If the bullet comes out of the mold looking frosty the lead is to hot. Between these two extremes is where you get good bullets. Asking question on forums like this is a good way to learn what the temp of the lead is with out using a thermometer. Most of us cast bullets because we want to save money. The less you have to buy to cast a bullet is a how you do that. I hope this helps.

 

[david50]

:v I use a Non-contact infared Pyrometer from Harbor Freight,read the temperature of the inside of the iron pot near the top just above the lead. Also have a John Fluke Thermocouple Digital meter with a Type K thermocouple. There are other insertion thermometers available from Lyman. :v

uuuuh! ok

 

[Mort Scott]

Trial and error is the best way to cast lead. the temp is not too hot to get you in to much trouble. Yes if the metal is too cold it will not fill the mold completly.and you will have what we call in the foundry business a miss cast . And if too hot it should show up on the surface.Lead should flow real smooth into the mold. soon you should be able to recongnize what you metal is doing. For folks just starting out I would recommend getting a good lead pot {furnace } They are usually set up to reach a temp that is sutable for melting low temp metal like lead Any other home made furnace might get your melt to hot if you don't know what to look for.

 

[MercerLake]

:v As others have said, a thermometer is not really necessary as wringkled bullets/balls are too cold and frosty are too hot. Although I don't believe that too hot is bad unless you get carried away and damage the mold blocks.
I have the so called Hi-tech pyrometer and thermocouple meter for other endeavors and only use them to check that the melt is at the right temperature range prior to starting casting.
A thermometer may be nice to have but certainly not necessary. :v

 

[david50]

thanks! guys,i've been casting for a while with fairly good results.just thought that if i keep a closer eye on the temp i might get more consistants from each batch

 

[GreyWhiskers]

where might one look for a casting thermometer,one that goes to 700 degreese or more

Track of the Wolf sells a Lyman thermometer for about $35. GW

 

[ssettle]

thanks! guys,i've been casting for a while with fairly good results.just thought that if i keep a closer eye on the temp i might get more consistants from each batch

Every BPCR shooter I know uses one. But then they are molding long heavy bullets. temperture will change the dimension and weight if it differs to any degree. It may also help you make alot better quality bullet without having to throw out too many and save you time... I myself use one because I shoot BPCR and also use it to mold roundballs. I use a weight scale to check them also.. That's just me...Steve S.