Anyone use Temp Sticks for checking temperatures?

[R.C.Reichert]

Hi, I was wondering if anyone used or tried temp sticks to determine heat treating temperatures. One of the millwrights at my work told me about them so....would they be any useful for knifemaking/bladesmithing? See the link...

http://www.vickma.com.my/Tempilstik/temperature-indicator-heat-stick.html

 

[Carcara]

I use the 350 and 400 degree f ones often. The 1450, 1500 degree f are tricker to use.

 

[john0270]

Would this be a good way to check accuracy of an electric heat treat oven??

 

[Carcara]

Considering they are certified to be accurate to plus or minus one percent of
the specified temperature, they do seem to be useful for verifying the reading
of the kiln. But kilns do ramp up above the set temp and fall below the setting
before the coils are energized again any way.

 

[P.Brewster]

I tried some in the 1400 - 1500 range, and they did NOT give me a feeling of confidence or certainty.

 

[jorasco312]

Would this be a good way to check accuracy of an electric heat treat oven??

It is probably easier to use two oven thermometers whose temps are really close.. you can look through the glass door to see what the temp is vs. opening the door, dragging out the object, touching the Tempilstik to the blade and losing your heat.

I concur.. additionally, I found the sticks smeared on the blade and may have contributed to blade warping. And they cost about $12 each.