[Shop-talk] IR temperature meter

[Randall]

>     NOTE: Randall, I'm not doubting on your statement - I 
> have no basis to know either way!

No need to take my word for it, Mark.  For example, here is a white paper
from Omega Engineering (a well-known vendor of industrial process measuring
equipment) that talks about it:
http://www.omega.com/prodinfo/infraredthermometer.html
"Some polished, shiny metallic surfaces, such as aluminum, are so reflective
in the infrared that accurate temperature measurements are not always
possible."

Here's another:
http://tinyurl.com/yv9hsz
"Infrared thermometers will have difficulty taking accurate temperature
measurements of shiny metal surfaces unless they can adjust for emissivity.
"

Logically, it's like trying to determine the color of a mirror.

And while Tony apparently knows his IR thermometer "won't work" on shiny
metal, it's my belief that most casual users are unaware of the problem.

Randall