IR Thermometer

Mike Martinez

Mike Martinez

Well-Known Member
Gentlemen, do any of you use an IR Thermometer for your gas forge? If so, what brand and model? Pros and cons? Thanks you for your help.
 
They are not generally used because the top range of their readings are not high enough to get a reading to be useful. Most of them won't read above 600*F plus or minus. Steel reaches critical temp at 1335*F and you will need to progress above that to achieve austenite.

Here is a statement from thefollowing refrence.As the steel is heated above the critical temperature, about 1335°F (724°C), it undergoes a phase change, recrystallizing as austenite. Continued heating to the hardening temperature, 1450-1500°F (788-843°C) ensures complete conversion to austenite. At this point the steel is no longer magnetic, and its color is cherry-red.

http://www.threeplanes.net/toolsteel.html

Hope that helps clarify why they are not used!
 
Thank you C Craft, I should have been more specific. I have found links to products that claim to read between 0* to 2732* at a 50:1 ratio.

Given that bit of information, does anyone know of a reliable brand with a reasonable price tag?

Thanks.
 
I just bought a regular old Simpson analog pyrometer off of ebay for 25 bucks. "new" old stock.
It's good up to 2500F, and the only thing I need now is an adequately rated thermocouple.

Actually, I also need to build the forge I plan to use it on. I just haven't had any time to work on it lately.
 
Sounds like one heck of a buy, Andrew. I've looked and have never found anything worth buying under 60.00 and even then, it was questionable enough to deter me.
 
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