Anyone familiar with Zetex, Nomex and Kevlar, to name a few?
 

I'd like to look into buying some product wholesale for my "Welder's Cool Finger" project.

Yes, I know about the guy selling his folded over version. I'm leaning more towards a finger cot style.

Zeke, I've worn some nomex suits and they were hot and I didn't have a lot of confidence in their fire resistant qualities. Thankfully I never had to do a real life test of them either.

Nomex is designed to char in a fire, acting like an ablative heat shield and insulating with the porus carbon that forms. So I would not use it as a welding glove if it is intended to handle hot stuff over and over.

Grainger sells Zetex rated at 1100 and 1500 degrees. Rather not buy from Grainger as they are retailers. Same with McMaster, but they do have more selection and better prices.

Looking for Gov't surplus sales, that sort of thing. Or anyone who works with the stuff and knows the supply chain.

In many cases you can request a sample from the manufacturer,
Kevlar® AP Product Inquiry

Larry,

I have "proof tested" nomex and it works. The more you are concerned, the more layers you need.

Joe A

Heck Joe-I couldn't stand more than one layer! I hope you didn't proof test the stuff in a crash.:eek:

It wasnt a crash but sure was a fire. Kept me from burning or blistering...

Hey Joe-I see you have an Aeronca Sedan. Used to fly one years ago and really loved it. I also see "QB" written beside it. Quiet Birdmen I presume.

Larry, correct on all counts! :)

I don't want to rip this guy off. Actually, he is a great asset to the world of beginning welders.
I just want to do something different if not better.

http://welding-tv.com/wp-content/upl...ade-in-USA.png

Yep, I worked for a "QBer" some years ago. He talked to me about joining but for some reason I never did. Seems like they had a complex set of rules to get in. I hadn't thought of them in years.

Since you guys are hijacking, I could use some Quiet Birdmen over my house! ;):D

I think I have discovered that the above finger protector is fiberglass, not a name brand fabric.

Larry,

Its pretty difficult to get into, but once there you are in for life. Its worth the journey... I am sponsoring 5 people right now.

Zeke, someday will get over to the left coast and buy you one!:)

Sorry Zeke, but you know how pilots are!!!:D
Anyway, back on topic, what is this finger thing for. I have a TIG machine and I swear I can't see what it does. Maybe I'm dumb.

looked it up. may have to get one from when you get it up and going.

I'm going to send you a couple of things to try. I'll PM when I have some product ready.

What re you actually making? Any chance of a scetch?

Didn't the above pic tell you anything? I would like to make heat protection for the weldor's torch hand. There are some devices available including the "Tig Finger."
There is a flat knuckle shield as well. And I have some bulky fiberglass gloves that I have used when working with a bigger MIG gun and some .035 wire. Things get hot on a long run.

However, sometimes a weldor needs dexterity and bulk don't get it. The Tig Finger is genius, but the guy selling them did not invent them. He says he has a patent pending but I don't see it making it through. The reuse of an existing product in a manner that has been done by people before does not make a patent in my mind.

Still, I don't want to directly copy the idea, I want to make it better. I'll probably end up doing something for the little and ring finger together since both can get hot. Or something ceramic to add a little jazz.

Sounds great. I had a welding project going last time I was home and could have tried it out.