thermocouples for knife making temperatures...

U

Uhurungus

Joined
Jan 8, 2015
Messages
62
what's the deal. i know i have to be missing something. i guess i should add this is for a gas forge, i'll control temp with fuel pressure regulator. i just want a reading.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Thermometer...314?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27ce864fe2

is rated up to 1300 celcius

and

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Temperature...343?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a8f66834f

buy 2 of the probes and 1 of the sensors = less than $80

would this be adequate for a small homemade forge?

or what about

http://www.grainger.com/product/1LYR5?cm_sp=HIO-_-HIDP-_-RR_VTV_P&cm_vc=IDPRRZ11&zoneId=IDPRRZ11
 
Last edited:
That thermocouple will work, but it is also offered in 8 gauge, which will last far longer. A TC sheath is a really good addition, too.
 
The SS probes you linked to just won't hold up at 1300ºC, no matter what they spec the sensor at. No SS sheath will hold up at those high temps. As Stacy says (I use "as Stacy says" lots of time, but Stacy just has good advice), use #10 AWG or #8AWG TC - This is a good choice for a TC probe:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/121083196364

The meter that displays the temperature isn't critical at all. I use either a DVM with a temperature function - all it's doing is reading the mV from the probe. Before I'd pay $70 for a display, I'd order a PID controller (<$45), use that to display temperature - and "IF" I ever wanted to control something I'd have the controller then. Perhaps this PID? http://www.ebay.com/itm/261334961703 Only $26 shipped.

Ken H>
 
I did not know that about the difference sizes of thermocouples and I wish I would have known before I got mine. Looking at the website they claim that the 11 gauge has a faster response time for more precise temperature control while the 8 gauge is more durable. Honestly I don't even know which size I ordered when I got mine. I very well could have the 8 gauge but I only use it about once per month so I'm not sure how much durability matters in that case since it is used quite sparingly. Also, $70 is for the whole setup with display, wiring, 12' thermocouple(8 gauge is $3 more) mounting flange. You can piece it together for cheaper but shipping might eat up the difference and I wanted something that was close to plug and play since I didn't know much about this stuff. I was worried I'd screw something up getting the PID and doing it myself.

I've been pretty impressed with just how precisely I've been able to control temps in my homemade forge. I put the sensor in the muffle pipe where I heat the blades and I can maintain temps in there within a few degrees for long periods of time.
 
At my real job we use Omega Thermocouples because they are reliable and we are required to have them calibrated after every test to verify the data collected. I have one in my Heat treat furnace that is going on 6 years of High Heat and I would recommend the "Inconel 600" series they will give reliable readings up to 2300F....they also have the ceramic shielding which was pointed out earlier to help protect the TC.
 
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