Paradigm seaming iron debate - the temp settings are a scam

I keep seeing guys argue over which seaming iron brand is best, Paradigm this, Rotovac that. But what got me thinking was a video from a carpet inspector's channel - he actually put a laser thermometer on a dozen different irons set to 350 degrees. Not a single one was actually at 350. My own old Reliant reads about 410 when set to 325. So all this arguing about whose iron holds temp better is pointless if the numbers on the dial are lies. I stopped caring about brand loyalty after that and just check my seam with a probe before every job now. Has anyone else bothered to verify their iron's actual temp, or am I overthinking this?

3 comments

3 Comments

river32015d ago

You're overthinking this for sure. "Numbers on the dial are lies" - yeah, maybe, but does it actually matter on the job? I've been using my old Reliant for years set to 325 and my seams hold just fine, never had a call back. A laser thermometer might show 410 but the iron is heating the backing consistently where it counts, not some arbitrary number on a screen. Plus, those probe checks take time most guys don't have when you're trying to finish a room by lunch.

brooke76715d ago

Agree with you completely. I've got an old Conquest that I set to 380 every time and never check it. One day I pointed my temp gun at it just out of curiosity and it was reading 440, but you know what? The seams were perfect, no problems at all. I figure if the iron is hot enough to melt the adhesive and you're moving at a steady pace, that little number on the dial is just a suggestion really.

keithbutler15d ago

Ha, yeah I tell myself the same thing. My iron's dial is more like a suggestion than a real number. But I still set it to 350 every time even though I know it's probably lying to me.