temperature measurement/sticks

[bcarwell]

Hi folks,
Does anyone have a product,technique,source, etc. for measuring various welding workpiece temperatures for preheat, etc.
I know there are temperature crayons and they're available for fairly accurate weld temperature indications, but they're about ten bucks a stick as best I can tell, so if you need several temperature indications that can run into some money.
What about the $40 infrared temperature meter from Harbor Fright ? Some folks reported inaccuracies but most seemed to think it was pretty good plus or minus maybe five degrees and I should think you could calibrate it fairly well with another thermometer. And although the cheaper one only works to 400 degrees the $40 one reads to almost 1000.
Maybe the solution is another source of the temperature sticks that's cheaper than $10 each ?

Bob

 

[yomax4]

Got an Oxy Fuel Torch set? If so, Turn on Acetylene and light. Smoke an area with the Soot. Turn on Oxygen. Heat until soot starts to go away. That is very close to 500 degrees. What temp do you want to achieve? got silver solder? Heat and melt a piece. 485 - 1240 degrees depending on which one. You don't need temp sticks but they are nice;