Re: Peep holes and their use.

[CC]

OK, Here my question. How exactly do you use the peephole plugs besides peeping in the kiln?
 I have seen a reference to keeping them out until some point in the bringing  and taking out at some point in the end.

[Kev]

Peep holes can be used for viewing your glass to see if you are at point you want it to be and depending on that, you determine where to go with the rest of the schedule programmed in....continue with it, bypass the current segment to go to the next segment, or abort if it's a disaster. Always make sure you are wearing UV protective  welders glasses when viewing hot glass, as it gives off IR radiation and can damage your eyes.

I often will leave the plug out of the peephole up to the first 500 degrees to allow any moisture in the kiln, and fumes from the binders of the fusing paper to escape. At that point then plug the hole. It's easier to do it that way than propping the lid open, and less chance of kiln dust falling onto your work.

[CC]

 

[Becki]

Absolutely...it's often used to vent when using Thinfire, fiber paper, enamels, etc, instead of propping the lid.  I know of some that don't use a plug at all when they fire.

[Ian]

Peephole plugs can be used to vent the kiln if you have a project that has been painted or glued or has any thing added that has to burnout.
When anything has to burnoff in the kiln that will give off steam or smoke {even fibre paper} then it is wise to vent the kiln to allow the escape of any gases caused by the burnoff/out so that the surface of the glass in the kiln does not become contaminated.

VENTING is allowing the escape of these gases by removing plugs and or propping the kiln lid open slightly from switch on of the kiln to +- 300C and then replacing the plugs and closing the lid
AND DON"T FORGET WHAT KEVIN SAID ABOUT USING GLASSES WHEN LOOKING INTO A FIRED UP KILN
Ian

[Ian]

Now thats what I call good service!!
And we can't all be wrong
Ian   

[Stephen Richard]

If you are going to recommend glasses.  Recommend the right ones.  UV is radically different from IR.  Use glasses rated for infra red when looking into kilns.  Of course, those of us who look in for a second or so often do not use glasses at all.

[Stephen Richard]

Of course, when setting up your project, you need to be sure it is at a position - up,down, sideways - to be seen when you open the peep hole.

[Ian]

Always make sure you are wearing UV protective glasses when viewing hot glass, as it gives off IR radiation and can damage your eyes.

When you buy welding glasses #4 or #5 for looking into a kiln they are rated for both UV and IR. So essentially what Kev said is correct.

Stephen we value your input but do try not to word your posts such that they come across as condescending or making people look stupid. We are trying on this board to get people to ask questions without them being afraid of getting sarcastic or impatient or condescending replies.

Always remember that when you reply on any board that people cannot see your eyes or face so anything that you type is taken at face value and can easily be misconstrued and hurt people.
My impression of this board is that it is for people who, first, want  to be friends and be sociable ,  second to learn and third to be treated as equals even if you are a newbie or not.
Thanks
Ian
PS I would'nt recommend looking through a peephole without protection, not even for a second. Been there done that and had a blank spot in my eye for a couple of days

[nansea121]

I never thought about there being a difference between UV and IR lenses. Whenever I look through the peephole, it’s been only for a second or two so I haven’t worn any glasses. Interestingly enough, my other fusing teachers didn't wear any either. ...mmm

Kev, when you look through the peephole, do you wear UV sunglasses or IR welding lenses?

[Becki]

Here's a link to some info on safety for the glass artist.  Scroll down the page a bit and click on radiation to read a little about IR protection.
http://www.gregorieglass.com/Health_Safety_Menu.htm

[nansea121]

Here's a link to some info on safety for the glass artist.  Scroll down the page a bit and click on radiation to read a little about IR protection.
http://www.gregorieglass.com/Health_Safety_Menu.htm

Thanks Becki. So a person should wear welding goggles to protect against the IR? It sounds like regular UV sunglasses wouldn't offer as much protection.

[Kev]

I never thought about there being a difference between UV and IR lenses. Whenever I look through the peephole, it’s been only for a second or two so I haven’t worn any glasses. Interestingly enough, my other fusing teachers didn't wear any either. ...mmm

Kev, when you look through the peephole, do you wear UV sunglasses or IR welding lenses?

Yes Nancy, I wear glasses that I got at the stained glass store. They are dark green and are used for fusing. I thought it was for UV protection, but have recently learned it's IR radiation that the hot glass gives off. The glasses protect for UV and IR. When I look through the quartz window on the large kiln, I do not wear them.

[Becki]

Take care, Kev.
Short peeks through your window probably won't hurt much but a quartz kiln window will not protect your eyes from IR radiation with prolonged viewing.

I use 2.0 welding glasses...they block 95% of the IR radiation.  The higher the number the more protection you have but also the darker the lenses so visibility will be reduced.

[nansea121]

I'm glad that Stephen mentioned about the IR verses UV protection.

Thanks for telling me about those special glasses Kev:) I would have went out and bought regular UV sunglasses thinking I would have been protected.

[nansea121]

Take care, Kev.
Short peeks through your window probably won't hurt much but a quartz kiln window will not protect your eyes from IR radiation with prolonged viewing.

I use 2.0 welding glasses...they block 95% of the IR radiation.  The higher the number the more protection you have but also the darker the lenses so visibility will be reduced.

That's good to know! This is the first time I've ever heard of anything like this. I'm wondering if Kev's special glasses block that much of the IR as your 2.0 welding goggles do? Do you happen to know how much of the IR is blocked when wearing your glasses Kev?

[Kev]

Hmmm..I thought the quartz blocked the radiation..no?

This what I bought, the 1459:  http://www.glasscrafters.biz/Merchant2/merchant.mv?

That's where I got the UV from.

[Becki]

Hmmm..I thought the quartz blocked the radiation..no?  Not entirely but probably not as much as looking into a hot kiln.
This what I bought, the 1459:  http://www.glasscrafters.biz/Merchant2/merchant.mv?

That's where I got the UV from.  The product discription will definitely confuse some!  If these are the same as 3.0 welding glasses then you should be fine.

[Ian]

Becki is right
The description of these glasses on the website is confusing.
 
IF they are welding glasses { and saying that they are shade 3 leads me to believe that they are} then they give protection from both UV and IR

The easiest way to be sure is to get welding glasses in a no2 or 3 {whichever is easiest for you see through} and then you are sure that you are protected against both UV and IR and will be good enough to protect your eyes for the short periods of time that you actually peep into the kiln.
Ian

[nansea121]

Hmmm..I thought the quartz blocked the radiation..no?

This what I bought, the 1459:  http://www.glasscrafters.biz/Merchant2/merchant.mv?

That's where I got the UV from.

I found them. They are listed as 'Safety Glasses, Shade 3.0 Green'. They also say that they offer 99.9% UV protection, but nothing about IR.

http://www.glasscrafters.biz/Merchant2/order_form.mv?Product_Code=1459&Category_Code=

Thanks again:)