when I first got mine it wouldn't go over 615*
perfect for mixing antimony in the alloy, and fine for ladle casting.
I finally pulled it apart when it wouldn't even get that hot and had to fix the connection to one of the heating elements.
I cleaned the adjustment strip and adjusted it a touch and gave it a go.
it went clear to about 1,000* and I had to re-adjust the strip some to get it down into a more normal range.