New mold headed my way.

[Spindrift]

I tend to jump into using a mould too quickly and run them on the high-side of optimum temperature with a very tin-poor alloy

Sounds familiar
I’ve also found it useful to give the cavities a very light sooting with a butane lighter.

 

[Bisley]

Excellent video presentation and commentary, CW. I'm filing this stuff away for when I get my mold collection maintained, and some work done by Eric Ohlen in the not-to distant future.

 

[Rick]

The mold can be drilled for a digital probe. I have a 1/2 inch aluminum plate on my hot plate and I drilled that for the probe. NOE sells or used to the digital thermometers, haven't looked lately but he did sell them. He also drills his molds for the probe.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

Its not scientific or need to be precise. So a Laser temp gauge is all I use. If its only 340 or 405.... Its gonna be just fine.

CW

 

[fiver]

I just wet my finger.

seriously I got nuthin to probe or prod anything, I go by how my bullets come out of the mold.
shiny silver? more heat.
whitish and rounded? less heat

 

[STIHL]

Exactly how to you measure the mold temperature? Pot yes but what about the mold. SWAG?

The old SWAG theory! Never fails!!!!

All BS aside I Have a IR temp gun and I have shot a mold or two to see what it says, it’s close. If they are 400 ish they will cast good, I think the key is being able to soak the mold at that temp. If you can get it heat soaked at 400, your good.

 

[Mowgli Terry]

Temp Gun: I had given a gun a try not too long ago. I had a Magma pot full of molten lead. The gun told me it was 250 degrees. .The SWAG was significantly better in this instance. I was confident the gun was wrong. Next up is to get another gun that works.. A work in progress.

 

[Brad]

The temp guns don’t do well on shiny surfaces like a pot of lead. That is a known issue.

 

[L Ross]

My Dewalt IR temp gun has ended up in the kitchen. At least I know where to look for it.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

Yes, they dont read lead well. So We dont use them for lead.

I thought was was checking molds.

 

[L Ross]

Yes, they dont read lead well. So We dont use them for lead.

I thought was was checking molds.

Wanna check the temp of the oil in the dutch oven for deep frying fish? Especially when you are cooking fish for a hungry horde? IR thermometer looking for 375 before you drop the fish each time. Two dutch ovens with oil, close to 200 filets and a couple of helpers. Before I get accused of over bagging, these soiree's are typically several people's fish brought to share.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

I leave the thermo clipped ta the side of the pot. So I can watch. Usually need a extra hand without havin ta measure temps!!

CW