Nice work guys.

I found a temperature gage on eBay. Buy it Now or Make Offer, made offer and accepted $30 with free shipping. It is a Weston gage, 200-1000 degrees with a 3" face and 9" stem.
Had a choice of gage face either horizontal or vertical and picked vertical to stem. Figured it might be easier to look at and less likely to bump it.

Hopefully by Saturday or Monday will have it and will post some pictures of results.

David