GLASSES

[Havi]

Hi everybody,


I once read that if I want to see what's going on in kiln while it is a top temp. and the glass is blazing - I should wear a particular kind of glasses,.

Can anybody tell me what kind of glasses are they?
Of course I shall be wearing all the protective 'decorations' to prevent going on fire [including something to protect my face] but underneath it - some kind of glasses, similar to sunglasses, but not quite



Thanks,
Havi

[Brad Walker]

You need glasses that block infrared radiation. This is to prevent cataracts. You can get these from some welding shops (get shade 2.5 to shade 3.0), some glass places (we carry them, for instance), and from people who have had cataract surgery -- the dark glasses given after that surgery will block infrared.

Don't use sunglasses or dydimium glasses, they're not the same.

[Bert Weiss]

Havi, your concern is IR radiation. There is a particular grade of welding glasses that will protect you. I forget which number. That said, short peeks in to the kiln with no protection are OK. In the years I have been reading this board, I can recall one report that somebody who was wearing contacts spent too much time looking and developed dry eye. You can look in long enough to see how far your heatwork has progressed and not worry about harming yourself. For any safety questions look at Greg Rawls website. He is an industrial hygienist, and glass artist. He has excellent advice.http://gregorieglass.com/Health_Safety.html

[Havi]

Thanks, Brad and Bert


I see how I can get these glasses. Beside protecting the eyes, Do these glasses enable actually seeing the object in spite of the 'flame' color of the piece?
Would Home Center carry such glasses?


Thanks again,
Havi

[Rick Wilton]

unless you are looking for long periods of time (over 1 min) it's not necessary to wear glasses.

As for seeing what's happening "better" shine a bright flash light onto the glass. Makes it many times better to see what is actually happening in the kiln. It removes the glow and appears to at room temp.

[Havi]

Thanks, Rick
THis is also something I once read and forgot. Thanks for reminding me!!




Havi

[Brad Walker]

Beside protecting the eyes, Do these glasses enable actually seeing the object in spite of the 'flame' color of the piece?
Would Home Center carry such glasses?

You probably won't be able to find them at Home Center, but I guess it's worth a look. So long as the pair isn't too dark, hey do help see a bit better than no glasses.

As others have said, if you're only peeking in quickly at up to 1500F/815C, you can probably get by without the glasses. But if you're peeking at 1700F/925C or thereabouts, they really should be used even for quick peeks.