SBRANFPOTS@aol.com on fri 11 dec 98
Here's some very important information on raku gloves. Gloves used for raku
are made of kevlar. Some are lined with wool and those offer a bit of
additional heat protection. Gloves come in several lengths generally 12", 14",
18", and 24". Kevlar is reasonably durable and when treated carefully will
last a long time. Kevlar is also very heat resistant and offers the wearer
excellent protection. HOWEVER.....................you must be VERY careful
when lifting pots directly from a raku firing with your gloved hands only.
Never use a single pair of gloves as protection to lift a pot from the kiln. I
do lift my largest pots from the kiln without tongs using only gloves but I
wear 24" long gloves and I also use a pair of older gloves folded over as "pot
holders" giving me 9 layers of kevlar as protection. Don't be careless!!! Be
careful.
And yes, Mark Ward is your man for all kinds of kiln related stuff!
Steven Branfman
The Potters Shop
Marc Ward on sat 12 dec 98
Hey Folks,
I just wanted to add a few thoughts to this discussion....Different materials
have widely different heat ratings and characteristics. Kevlar is the most
popular material for gloves, but has it's problems, or better yet, user's
don't understand Kevlar's problems. Kevlar is rated to about 800F. When you
get your hand in the kiln to adjust something or even pick up a pot, the edges
and seams reach and surpass 800F very quickly. This destroys the stitching and
causes the gloves to fray at the seams. Also Kevlar is combustible at 1800F.
This is why Steve uses old gloves as "pot holders". Here's another thing about
Kevlar; a glove only has to have 2% Kevlar content to call itself Kevlar. The
more Kevlar, the better. The old adage, "you get what you pay for" is very
true with Kevlar gloves and mittens.
There are other patented materials such as Templex, Zetex, and ZetexPlus that
have taken the place of asbestos and have heat rating between 1100F and 2000F.
They ain't cheap. Then there is good 'ole leather. Some leather is better than
others and this depends on the treating and tanning process. The better gloves
will resist charring and hardening, but only so far.
After 25 years of Raku, I haven't found the perfect glove. There is always a
trade out among dexterity, longevity, insulation, heat rating, and abrasion
resistance. (Insert crass commercialism here)--- Feel free to call, write, or
email for a catalog that contains gloves and mittens
Marc Ward
Ward Burner Systems
PO Box 333
Dandridge, TN 37725
USA
423.397.2914 voice
423.397.1253 fax
wardburner@aol.com
Stephen Mills on mon 14 dec 98
My twopennyworth: for me the best glove should not only be heat
resistant but also loose, so I can shake it off quickly when it gets
too hot!
Steve
Bath
UK
In message , Marc Ward writes
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Hey Folks,
>
>I just wanted to add a few thoughts to this discussion....Different materials
>have widely different heat ratings and characteristics. Kevlar is the most
>popular material for gloves, but has it's problems, or better yet, user's
>don't understand Kevlar's problems. Kevlar is rated to about 800F. When you
>get your hand in the kiln to adjust something or even pick up a pot, the edges
>and seams reach and surpass 800F very quickly. This destroys the stitching and
>causes the gloves to fray at the seams. Also Kevlar is combustible at 1800F.
>This is why Steve uses old gloves as "pot holders". Here's another thing about
>Kevlar; a glove only has to have 2% Kevlar content to call itself Kevlar. The
>more Kevlar, the better. The old adage, "you get what you pay for" is very
>true with Kevlar gloves and mittens.
>
>There are other patented materials such as Templex, Zetex, and ZetexPlus that
>have taken the place of asbestos and have heat rating between 1100F and 2000F.
>They ain't cheap. Then there is good 'ole leather. Some leather is better than
>others and this depends on the treating and tanning process. The better gloves
>will resist charring and hardening, but only so far.
>
>After 25 years of Raku, I haven't found the perfect glove. There is always a
>trade out among dexterity, longevity, insulation, heat rating, and abrasion
>resistance. (Insert crass commercialism here)--- Feel free to call, write, or
>email for a catalog that contains gloves and mittens
>
>
>Marc Ward
>Ward Burner Systems
>PO Box 333
>Dandridge, TN 37725
>USA
>423.397.2914 voice
>423.397.1253 fax
>wardburner@aol.com
>
--
Steve Mills
Bath
UK
home e-mail: stevemills@mudslinger.demon.co.uk
work e-mail: stevemills@bathpotters.demon.co.uk
own website: http://www.mudslinger.demon.co.uk
BPS website: http://www.bathpotters.demon.co.uk
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