There are thermocouple probes that are intended to be immersed, and a
stainless steel sheathed model could possibly be ideal for molten lead
temperatures.

A bracket attached to the side of the lead pot housing with a ceramic heat
insulator, could be a good way to mount the probe.

--
WB
..........
metalworking projects
www.kwagmire.com/metal_proj.html


"Jim Wilkins" wrote in message
...
On Dec 14, 8:34 pm, "Buerste" wrote:
Can I use one of there for my lead pot and casting molds? I see them for
as
little as $30 or do I have to spend more? Or should I get a contact
thermometer? Or try to find my thermocouple digital one?(buried in "The
Move")

There isn't much I can add to the good answers posted already.

I have used professional equipment like the emissivity-corrected IR
thermometers and multipoint thermocouple loggers.

Thermocouples read randomly low unless they are in a deep hole packed
with conductive material. Strapping them to the wall under insulation
doesn't always give a good reading.

Aluminum is awful to read accurately. The IR emissivity varies from
below 0.1 to above 0.9 depending on oxidation, i.e. how long it's been
hot. You can't tell by its appearance.
http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/em...nts-d_447.html

Black heat sinks weren't so bad, a setting around 0.8 - 0.9 made the
IR temperature agree fairly well with an embedded thermocouple.
Notice on the chart that most dark materials like black hi-temp paint
and cast iron are in that area. I'd soot the surface or spray a thin
film of wood stove or barbecue paint.

My personal IR thermometer is a cheapie from Radio Shack that doesn't
read hot enough for molten lead. I use it as MK suggested, to check
the house insulation, and also to find a misfiring engine cylinder.
Thanks for the Christmas list idea.

jsw