Infrared Thermometer Recommendation?

weo

weo

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Hello all. I recently read a thread about TC drift in Type K thermocouples after prolonged use at high temps and want to get a thermometer to check. I'm not looking for the cheapest option, but don't need laboratory quality precision, so I'm not going to spend $2000.
I came across this $100 thermometer and wonder if anyone knows if this is a quality unit:

The other unit I was looking at is ~$200 and that's affordable for me if spending the extra $100 is really worth it.

Thanks
 
No good for hot steel.

They read emissivity, which varies based on surface finish.

Black scale, shiny bright steel or red hot glowing, all different.

specs on that unit

3.5% error, so at fifteen hundred F's that's fifty degrees error
 
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I use mine for oil temp and blades at lower temperatures. I've used temp crayons (templ maybe) people have talked about pure salt. Another thought maybe one of those portable type units with a k type thermocouple
 
There is no good infrared pyrometer for a forge. An 8 gauge type K with a proper sheath works fine. If drift is a worry, change it every new years day. The TC only costs $20.
Honestly, I don't really think a properly installed TC will have that much drift. They run in high temp ovens/kilns for many years with no issues.

Use a ceramic sheath
Use an 8 gauge TC with beads
Use a ceramic TC block
Use type K 18 gauge TC wire
These can be bough as a package for $40. - https://www.ebay.com/itm/122823690313?epid=1663926894&hash=item1c98dcc849:g:YMAAAOSwI-BWLnxj

Using Type K plug/socket at the readout/PID is a good idea.
 
Thanks Stacy and Gilbert. I just did some more research and that's what I found. I'd like to have something to check the drift (and perhaps report back what I find). I have a backup TC on hand and now am thinking that I'll use this and a handheld unit to check now and then every few months or so, and if/when the one in the forge gets outside of my acceptable range, then I will throw the checking TC into the forge and then purchase a new one for the handheld unit.
It looks like these are cheaper overall, and the accuracy is also much better and there are a number of manufacturers with units under $200 which is what I'm looking for. Any specific suggestions now that we've narrowed it down?
 
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The temp crayons do work.

My local welding shop had them in tempering range, but red hot range were special order.

Don't leave them in an unheated shop, they freeze, crumble and die.
 
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