Cheap Pyrometer parts list

Professional Pyrometers are not cheap! Here is a shopping list and some photos to put together the worlds cheapest pyrometer. Works good, lasts long time! Yes, a VOM could be used in place of the fleabay meter, but why? You will need a 12" long 1/4" drill bit. Be sure to drill it perfectly straight for the first 3 inches with a smaller drill bit, then upsize it to 1/4" The long drill bit will follow your starter hole. Go slow, I got lucky the first time.

Ebay
Type K meter, TM-902C Digital LCD K Type Thermometer $3.75, cheap shipping! BUY one and a SPARE!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/TM-902C-Dig...675248?hash=item41c9923030:g:5xMAAOSw8GtZWft3

McMaster-Carr https://www.mcmaster.com/#

3859k44 12inch nickle type K thermocouple https://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/123/628/=18ww32k

3870K35 6feet of solid thermocouple fiberglass covered wire. https://www.mcmaster.com/#type-k-thermocouple-wire/=18ww4do

7979A18 5/8" carbon gouging rod. (get 5 or 6 of these, they do wear out and you'll dork one up on the drilling.)
https://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/123/3426/=18ww4jm

That's it, drill that 1/4" hole down the carbon rod, leaving about 3/4 inch at the bottom and insert the 12" thermocouple. Attach the rod to some emt with some hose clamps from your local hardware store and finish per the photo. Yes it's this easy! No excuse for not knowing what the temperature of your metal is.

 

I KNEW it would happen sometime.. but I cooked the hell out of the wires on the top of my meter. Easy fix, pull some more wire through the tube and reattach... Kaowool to the rescue!

 

not me buddy.... my dogs came out great! one needs a little welding work. looking fwd to the challenge.

 

it was... except I wired the thing backwards... all day I've been looking at negative numbers.. lol

 

Any hints on how to setup the rod so I can get a straight run?Ok, so I got two 12" x 1/4" drills delivered and I thought I would give it a go. Got half way through and the bit broke the surface of the rod.



Any hints for me?

I could get a man with a lathe to do the job, save my last rod

 

Thanks David, when you say D bit, is that the same as a masonry bit?

 

I used a masonry bit after I have a 3inch long 1/4" pilot hole started. sorry if I left that bit out. I got lucky and nailed it the first time. GO SLOW, u can do it. Be sure to test before you crimp the connections. it is possible to wire it backwards. No soldiering. twirl the wires and stick a crimp on them.

 

Yup. Get your pre drilled sheathes from Kelly.

 

Yes, just got a batch of 10 pcs ordered tonight.

I was doing it vertically in a drill press with about three different clamps and angle iron to keep things straight or so I thought.

I like the idea of the drill guide and clamp down arrangement. Just have to find some tubing to suit 12mm OD rod and a bushing to suit 6.35mm ID to fit inside the tubing.

 

If you can use two drills, one to spin the carbon rod and one to spin the drill bit, you have a crude gun drill that will automatically centre the hole. I did it once with drill press to spin the drill bit and the round bar being drilled was spun in the chuck of a battery drill. Maybe a jury rig with two battery drills on the table facing each other and a piece of aluminium angle to rest the carbon rod in. Wrap the end of the carbon rod in tape so the chuck teeth can grip without crushing it....or a 1 inch length of metal tube that is a neat fit over the carbon rod with a lengthwise split so the drill chuck jaws can close it and grip the carbon.

 

Anyone buy a 12" long 1/4" masonary bit lately? Fast way to shoot the hell out of a $20 bill!

 

Good document. Thanks, I will get some 1/4" drill rod on the way. DIY option sounds a wee bit cheaper.

 

That's a fun page. If you scroll wayyyy down you will see a welder for sale for the big money of $18.95. My mother bought me one of those back in 1986, she found it at a garage sale. I seem to remember not being able to find any steel in the garage, so my dads carpenter square looked like a good candidate. One prompt ass kicking later by dad, that welder went into the trash. It kept shocking the piss outta me anyways...

FWIW.. Page 90 has a neat write up on what appears to be the birth of the modern day Heat Pump HVAC unit. Easiest explanation to those that dont know about these.... It's an AC unit that simply runs in reverse.

 

Here is the link for the 5buck stainless steel probe. Not really for dipping in hot metal, but perfect for installing inside kilns and electric furnaces. Carbon rods don't survive long in those environments. FREE SHIPPING! Get 2!

www.amazon.com/BQLZR-Probe-Sensors-Thermocouple-Stainless/dp/B00K73HI4Q/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1490205239&sr=8-11&keywords=k+type+thermocouple+stainless