Need Help With Lyman thermometer.

Crosshair · January 25, 2008, 05:25 PM

OK, I ordered a Lyman casting thermometer from Cabela's, and used it for the first time, so I can keep my smelting pot at the right temperature and not allow Zinc Wheel weights to melt. However I think I got a defective one.

I assume that the needle of the thermometer is not supposed to stick and move in a herky jerky fashion and the innards in the probe of the thermometer should not bind on the outside casing. I can put the thermometer into the pot of metal and wait a minute before the thermometer suddenly springs to between 580 and 700+ F.

The most telling evidence is the thermometer being inside now for an hour and reading 850F

I just want to make sure that I am not missing something here. I'm rather certain that the thermometer is defective.

TexasSeaRay · January 26, 2008, 12:07 PM

Chances are better than even that you have a defective thermometer--that's what Lyman thermometers are known for.

I'd send it back to wherever you bought it from and trade up for a RCBS--it should be around $15 more than the Lyman, but fifteen times better.

I'm getting started in the casting game myself and have heard exactly zero positive/good about the Lyman thermometer.

Jeff

Pahoo · January 26, 2008, 03:12 PM

Basically the element is a Bi-Matalic Helical coil and mechanically moves inside the tube. This type of sensor will typically react this way and that's why you have to lightly tap them. However, sounds like yours may be dragging inside the tube too much. You will find that a new one will react differently but is stil operating this way and yes, it's worth your time to send it back. By the way, a digital or Pyrometer type, will not act this way as there is no mechanical action. Good luck and be safe!!

Crosshair · January 27, 2008, 01:22 AM

The thermometer has been returned and I will order a RCBS unit when I order the rest of my casting stuff.

snuffy · January 28, 2008, 12:00 AM

I dunno, mine works fine! I suppose some bad ones are made, do you want to pay twice the price to be sure the one you get works? That's what a 100% quality check would end up costing, probably more than that.

wncchester · January 28, 2008, 12:12 PM

My Lyman scale has worked fine but it's only some 40 years old. Actually, I have never heard of anyone else having any trouble with Lyman gear, they don't seem to need "Customer Service" as often as RCBS stuff does.

January 25, 2008, 05:25 PM	#1
Crosshair Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2004 Location: Grand Forks, ND Posts: 5,333	Need Help With Lyman thermometer. OK, I ordered a Lyman casting thermometer from Cabela's, and used it for the first time, so I can keep my smelting pot at the right temperature and not allow Zinc Wheel weights to melt. However I think I got a defective one. I assume that the needle of the thermometer is not supposed to stick and move in a herky jerky fashion and the innards in the probe of the thermometer should not bind on the outside casing. I can put the thermometer into the pot of metal and wait a minute before the thermometer suddenly springs to between 580 and 700+ F. The most telling evidence is the thermometer being inside now for an hour and reading 850F I just want to make sure that I am not missing something here. I'm rather certain that the thermometer is defective. __________________ I don't carry a gun to go looking for trouble, I carry a gun in case trouble finds me.

January 26, 2008, 12:07 PM	#2
TexasSeaRay Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 810	Chances are better than even that you have a defective thermometer--that's what Lyman thermometers are known for. I'd send it back to wherever you bought it from and trade up for a RCBS--it should be around $15 more than the Lyman, but fifteen times better. I'm getting started in the casting game myself and have heard exactly zero positive/good about the Lyman thermometer. Jeff __________________ If every single gun owner belonged to the NRA as well as their respective state rifle/gun association, we wouldn't be in the mess we're in today. So to those of you who are members of neither, thanks for nothing.

January 27, 2008, 01:22 AM	#4
Crosshair Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2004 Location: Grand Forks, ND Posts: 5,333	The thermometer has been returned and I will order a RCBS unit when I order the rest of my casting stuff. __________________ I don't carry a gun to go looking for trouble, I carry a gun in case trouble finds me.

January 28, 2008, 12:00 AM	#5
snuffy Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2001 Location: Oshkosh wi. Posts: 3,055	I dunno, mine works fine! I suppose some bad ones are made, do you want to pay twice the price to be sure the one you get works? That's what a 100% quality check would end up costing, probably more than that. __________________ The more people I meet, the more I love my dog They're going to get their butts kicked over there this election. How come people can't spell and use words correctly?

January 26, 2008, 03:12 PM	#3
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	Basically the element is a Bi-Matalic Helical coil and mechanically moves inside the tube. This type of sensor will typically react this way and that's why you have to lightly tap them. However, sounds like yours may be dragging inside the tube too much. You will find that a new one will react differently but is stil operating this way and yes, it's worth your time to send it back. By the way, a digital or Pyrometer type, will not act this way as there is no mechanical action. Good luck and be safe!!

January 28, 2008, 12:12 PM	#6
wncchester Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2002 Posts: 2,832	My Lyman scale has worked fine but it's only some 40 years old. Actually, I have never heard of anyone else having any trouble with Lyman gear, they don't seem to need "Customer Service" as often as RCBS stuff does.