The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest Infrared Thermometer Recommendations

What should I be looking for in an infrared thermometer for use around the shop? Started looking on Amazon but realized I know nothing about them.

Dennis

Dennis - There is a ton of info on the web on infrared thermometers. Here is a fairly basic and concise Fluke web page on how-to-use one. Without giving a lot of background info, I think most home shops can get the temp sensing you need using an 8:1 or 12:1 ratio device. There are lots of differnet brands/models out there. Some dirt cheap and others very expensive.

My only experience with them is I have an ES Model EST-65 Infrared Thermometer that is actually kinda overkill for a hobby user. It was formerly owned by fellow Bolter George "Wrenchbender Ret." Capito, who gave it to me prior to his passing in January of this year. He was a long time Master Mechanic who was highly respected for his knowledge and experience in the Truck and Automotive world, so I have to say it's probably right on target for being a very good and accurate tool for the job.

I bought a Performance Tool brand one from Advance Auto. I did no research. It works great and I've verified its accuracy with other thermometers. ~ $20

I've had it for at least 5 years, I think.

Be aware that even the best (most expensive) infrared thermometer will give different readings of the same temperature, depending on the surface pointed at. For instance, given a copper pipe with hot water flowing thru it, if you point at a polished area of the pipe, and then at a tarnished area, you'll get readings that are quite different even though the water inside is at the same temperature. The relatively cheap one I have does that, and the instructions with it stated that it was only accurate to +/- 3 degrees F. Dan's thermometer says that accuracy is 2% of the reading, so if what you're measuring is at 100F, it could actually be 98F or 102F.

Buy a relatively cheap one and take the readings you get using it with a grain of salt. If you really need to know the temperature of something, use a contact type thermometer. Infrared thermometers have uses, like determining whether a cylinder of an engine is misfiring based on the difference in temperature between exhaust ports.

Thanks guys. Appreciate the info.

Dennis

FWIW, some years ago I bought a cheap Harbor Freight infra red thermometer. Subsequently, tests were run several times comparing its readings against two different contact thermometers. The readings agreed each time. I’m uncertain if product quality is consistently as good, but for the price, one could buy one, run their own tests and decide from there. Tests on any of these would probably be a good idea anyway?

What a reminder this thread is. Totally forgot about the lazer thermometer somewhere in my drawers of shop tools. Mine is a Extech mini IR thermometer. Pretty darn accurate.

We have several cheap lazer thermeters that I mostly use for deep frying fish and other goodies. They always work and easy to use.

Don