Thread: Lead thermometer

I'm after a lead thermometer for use with my Lee bottom pour and for ingot making from scrap lead (over a gas ring), and I'm looking for suggestions/options.

Need to keep an eye on temp for being able to repeat results when casting, and to avoid approaching zinc melting temp (when I melt down scrap I get quite a bit of zinc wheel weights. I know there are ways of sorting them, but I can't be fucked, and just floating them off the top seems easiest. Accidently going too high with the lpg ring is too easy, and having realtime temp reading will make this easier).

I had considered a high temp thermocouple like https://www.jaycar.co.nz/k-type-thermocouple/p/QM1282 for use with my home or work multimeter, but I dunno if it will stand up to an hour or two of use at a time. Cheap enough to just try and see, but if someone pipes and says " Yeah nah fuck that", that's a bit of time and coin saved init?

One of those long probed thermometers with the disc shaped dial at the top seems to be the go, but I can only seem to find them in lower temp ranges, ie for cooking etc.

What do you fellahs use?

You could try an infrared/laser pointing thermo?

Originally Posted by inglishill

You could try an infrared/laser pointing thermo?

Yes, possible, but with both hands busy when casting, it'd nice to have a constant readout

A type J would probably do the job. Type K easier to source probably. You just need a suitable thermocouple pocket to hold it.

Optically with hand held may struggle with the varying emissivity of the molten surface i.e. sometimes clean after fluxing, sometime skummed over with doss.

Depends on how accurate you wish to measure.

The main thing is to avoid getting to 900 deg F/482 deg C.

I used to be pretty slack when casting, usually overheating to hell. Also a bit slack with good ventilation. Still alive though.

Just looked thru my Lyman book – thought there might have been a pic of a suitable thermometer there.

https://www.amazon.com/Lead-Pewter-B.../dp/B0026Q6GE0

With out googling, what's the issue if you get zinc melted in?

Originally Posted by Beaker

With out googling, what's the issue if you get zinc melted in?

A big mess and fucks your pot

Originally Posted by zimmer

https://www.amazon.com/Lead-Pewter-B.../dp/B0026Q6GE0

Yep that looks the go, although NZ$67 + freight owie

Also remember that zinc fumes will def have you puking your guts out. Ask any welder who's welded galvanised material.

just stick your figure in it to see if its melted

Originally Posted by northdude

just stick your figure in it to see if its melted

If it hurts it's hot!!
We used to drink milk to soak up galv fumes!

Originally Posted by SiB

Also remember that zinc fumes will def have you puking your guts out. Ask any welder who's welded galvanised material.

Been there done that got half a tshirt

@Tommy

Aliexpress is your friend

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Cheers
Pete

Originally Posted by P38

@Tommy

Aliexpress is your friend

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/XH-B...2-ab1c848f9f9a

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/PEAK...0-36ad5ffc0431

Cheers
Pete

Out-fucken-standing!

Just ordered one

Originally Posted by Tommy

Out-fucken-standing!

Just ordered one

no worries

Cheers
Pete