digital thermometers?

[OconeeDan]

OK, the excellent posts on hardening and tempering have me wanting a better thermometer than the old sticky pyrometer that I have.
My ovens are manual, no control other than "on" or "off".  There is a port for a thermo probe.
I think I know where I can get a used Fluke digital thermometer with no probe.  I wonder if I should buy it and then look for a suitable probe?
OR, does anyone here know of an inexpensive digital thermometer I can make or buy?
OR, how about a digital control box that I can both monitor the temp and control the ovens with if I simply wire the ovens to the input terminals of the control box?
THANKS in advance for your time and expertise.
Dan

[kbaknife]

You have a forced air propane forge?

[OconeeDan]

No Karl, I am talking about  electric heat treating ovens.
Thanks, Dan

[kbaknife]

'bout time you got up.
Normally most things electric are more than my feeble mind can handle.
Maybe you could contact the oven manufacturer and see if they offer an up-grade, or have some suggestions that will match your controlling mechanism?
That might be where I'd start.
I had a Fluke for a while. Those are some pretty cool gadgets!
I would think, with the correct probe, you may be able to finagle somethn'.
Maybe contact Fluke as well.
Wish I could help.

[kbaknife]

Check your personal email.

[Wampus]

Saw some people on a British knife forum using a controller like this to make homemade ovens.
 http://auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=3&zenid=ce6b271447a17f921c69b8a78d004226

I don't have any experience with them myself.  I got lucky and found a used pottery kiln with a nice digital controller that I use for knife stuff.  It's bigger than I need and probably uses too much electricity for what I'm doing, but it works great.

[OconeeDan]

Thanks guys, and Karl, you DID help with that personal email.  
By the way, notice my first post was BEFORE you got up Karl!
I got up my usual time...0430 EST.
Dan

[Ray Hammond]

now we're braggin' about how early we get up?? You guys eatin' worms?  :-)

[Lin Rhea]

I get it Ray! Early bird.........

I think I know where your headed Karl. I use a probe from Omaga.com I drilled a 1/8 hole in my forge body and just ineserted it enough to reach near the center of the hot spot. Notice I said near the center. You'll knock it off, if you get it too much in the way and it's still a pain, but the trouble is worth it to me. I just leave the probe in it all the time and disconect if I have to move the forge or I want to use the read out somewhere else.

Of course this is not a controler, just a probe and readout. I use my regulator and needle valve to control flow and resulting temperature. But, it's great to know the actual temperature of the forge atmosphere and just as much to know if the temperature is steady or is prone to climb or fall. This thing is accurate.

I use the "k" type probe and connectors.

Sorry to highjack your thread Dan.  Lin

[Doug Campbell]

4:30E is real early in the Mountain time zone...  :eek:

If you can get a deal on the Pyrometer Dan I'm sure you can get the thermocouple probe you need. Try Bailey's Ceramics Supplies, they have a pretty good selection and decent prices.

Lin, you can get a closed end ceramic tube that slides right over your thermocouple there too. It'll protect it from the atmosphere and your steel.

I've got two probes hooked up to my digital pyrometer, one permenant in the forge and one I can stick in the pipe I use in the forge to HT. It really helps control temp and atmosphere... I just installed a switch tween them and the pryo to switch from one to the other.

[OconeeDan]

Well, Karl found and put me onto a digital controller with thermocouple on the auction site.  
I bought it.  This'll give me the control that I want.
Now, what is next...more belts, milling machine, steel, leather....
Dan

[Lin Rhea]

That's right Dan. It's just gettin started.    Lin