torch + window = bad?

[The Lorax]

so i just got my oxy tank today... so of course, despite everything not being ready / waiting for a kiln... i had to light up my torch finally!
considering my glasses arn't with me yet either i didn't want to run it that long, or use the outer flame much.
but i had to light up the outer flame at least once, and oooohh it was sweet!
but thats what brings me to the point of this thread.
when i was looking at the flame, it was a bit bigger than i expected and just looked so almighty and powerful... but i have a window behind my flame's path... so im wondering, will i need to cover this window with rock _____ (can't remember the name right now but its grey and fire proof) so the window doesn't shatter or break? i really like lookin out into the forest, but if this is going to be a problem i'd obviously just prefer to cover it..
thanks guys (and girls)

http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/9629/tankadditiondz6.jpg

[puddletown]

id say feel it after you rage your torch for a while. Usually the heat goes up, but you might have a problem. It might be easier to just cover it with Hardibacker. looking out of the window might be nice, but it can also be distracting, or a demotivator. Also if you get too much light in there(especially behind what your working on) it gets hard to see how much heat is in the glass. I purposely keep my station kind of on the dark side so I can see when the glass starts to glow easier.

[brettodie]

point your torch up more its much better for your posture over time and creates less stress in your shoulders. either way you should be fine most of the time when its running youll have melting glass in the way. good luck man enjoy your new endevor. peace brett p.s. get hardibacker for your bench top.

[marcel]

3.5 feet will do.

I've cracked window at 3 feet, not at 3.5.

I wouldn't give up the view if I were you....


-m

[schmoinkel]

looks like youve got the clearance to me. if you want another option for fireboard, i like to have a mirror in front of my torch to help see all angles. also a peice of sheet metal nailed down as your bench surface might be cheaper than hardibacker.

[HumanLathe]

my bench space is close to 4ft deep and I have a cracked mirror in front of me

[schmoinkel]

i guess its got to do with the angle of the torch. ive never broken one, my bench is only about 3ft. maybe its bad advice. how about a peice of mirrored stainless steal?

[dislexei]

Just cut a 2 foot section of hardibacker, in the flames path. So you can still see out the window at eye level.

[bc]

yeah, I'd just cover the bottom of the window with fireboard

[ShttrdSpctrm]

i have sheetmetal on my bench, works great. went to the metal recyclin place and the guy just gave it to me for free.

[gypsea]

i wouldn't give up the view either....i have a window in front of me....i have my torch about 4 ft out from it and have a piece of hardibacker board that is about a ft wide centered in front of the flame just for good measure, even tho i prob don't need it. i also angle the flame up, a habit i developed when i had a short bench one time and kept melting fans.

[Primathon]

Have you tried opening the window?

[The Lorax]

hey everyone.
thanks for all the feedback, it is always very appreciated!
puddletown good info about the light and heat... i kinda forgot about that, i used to take advantage of light / heat in the furnace shops i used to blow at to see how much heat was in the piece i'd be making. But as for whats being out the window beign a demotivator, i couldn't see that happening... actually i'd see it the reverse way considering i love nature and all that it has to offer for inspiration.

brettodie very nice to know that having my torch pointed up will be better for me! I actually have it pointing up since i've fired it up (that pic was before i had my tanks ready) I didn't think of the melting glass in the way either despite how obvious it is... i was just in awe by the amazing flame.

marcel very nice to know, i've seen the work you do and i know you go BIG.. so your comment is very reassuring.

schmoinkel i actually was planning to get a nice long skinny mirror enventually actually. but are mirrors any stronger than your average window?

human lathe good answer to schmoinkel's tip, but the only difference between you and me is that Im a complete noob and you are a master of glass, as well as a human lathe hahah... so i'd still think i wouldn't be cracking a mirror anytime soon... hmmmm

dislexei i think this might be one of the best suggestions... i'd cover the light so i could see the heat, be protecting the window, and still have a view... it will most likly be this option i do if the window is still at risk after the torch angeling.

bc word, hahaha

shttrdspctrm good though, i might have to look into this.

gypsea when i angle my torch up, it is gonna be directly right at it... i hope i don't melt my fan!!

primathon i did try opening the window, and the wind was really messing with my flame.... i think the wind contributed to helping crack a old pipe i was fixing at the time as well. but once my fan is installed, opening the window would make no sense.. the fan is going to be in the top half of the window so if i had the bottom half open and the top half ventaling... well then theres really no good in the ventalting and i'd be standing in a circle of ventalated fumes / shit.


also, for more info... my torch tip is about 28 inches from the window.... im guessing i'll prob just cover a portion of the window.... but now im starting to think about the fan and if it will be able to withstand the heat.... errrrr

[max16o2]

i have almost the exact same setup with the window on the bottom and ventilation on the top, havent even thought about my window cracking. I think with the vent above the window, most of the heat gets sucked up above the glass

[gypsea]

can you pull your bench back some from the window or build an extension to make it deeper?

[The Lorax]

i would but some kid who has been building my hood is almost done, if i did that then i'd have to re-do the hood as well...

anyways i took the day off from work and i just installed my fan... anyone think it will melt / have any comments ? p.s. the insulation is just temporary for a few hours... theres about a 1 inch gap between the window and fan board so im going to cut a strip of wood and put it there and seal it with caulking from both sides..
thanks again!

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/3115/setupay6.jpg

[Primathon]

Looks like your setup is coming along nicely. I didn't realize (but probably should have) that your fan was above the window... From how you have it set up now, it looks like the majority of the heat is going to be pulled up and out the fan as opposed to melting your window (or at least, that's the idea).

Also, I don't know where you're going to have your fan switch mounted, but I found having mine right next to my torch under the bench proved incredibly useful. I used to have to reach across the bench to switch it, and that got real old real quick.

[Firekist]

heh.. cocking..

caulking!

28 inches is pretty close. i might suggest pulling the whole bench away a few inches, and putting some curved sheet metal between the wall and the bench.. that way no hot glass is going to go down into one of your wall cavities... and you'll get a few more inches of "comfort" for your window.

lookin good =)

z--seth

[vetropod]

Is this in your garage? I'd def suggest getting a LARGE fire extinguisher for right next to your bench. All those 2x4s and plywood walls look pretty exposed to me.

[The Lorax]

i got a 10 pound extinguisher on its way here in the mail. i couldn't see the 2x4s being a problem unless it was in a horrible situation...

[brettodie]

just add a semi circle or square bump out where your torch is,just make it from the edge of the cut outs on your bench out. 28 inchs is pretty close might fry your fan out over time and makin a little bump out is easy. enjoy peace brett
ps you could even make the bump out movable if it interfers with the rest of your space.

[slave]

just heat the window up slow and make sure you flame anneal afterwards and it should only melt and not break.