Fire-resistant hoodie by Redwood Empire Glassworks

Hello Melting Pot!

I am pleased to offer to you the FIRST FIRE-RESISTANT HOODED SWEATSHIRT specifically designed for glassworking by Redwood Empire Glassworks.

While working on a large scale installation, I had 4-5 very dangerous and scary situations where the radiant heat from a large gather from the crucible was able to spontaneously combust the hooded sweatshirt I was wearing.

After realizing how much money I had wasted and how close I had come to needing a stay in the burn unit, I decided it was time to develop heat gear that is more comfortable than the aluminized Nomex “space man” suits currently available. I have a suit but never wear it because it is so restricting/hard/crunchy.

Anyways, after searching for the best manufacturer and material I have developed the perfect fire-resistant hoodie for blowing glass. It utilizes a blend of Nomex and C6 carbon that is extremely soft, much like a normal hoodie, yet fire-resistant up to 880F. The manufacturer that I am working with is a leader in the industrial and fire-fighter safety market and holds a patent on the C6 carbon material. Everything is Made in America with an industrial sewing machine and even the thread and zipper tape is made from Nomex.

Although it will not protect you passing your arm through the flame of your mirage, it will protect its wearer from the radiant heat of a large 3 stage torch or a large crucible gather. It will also stand up to reaching inside an annealer to put a large piece away or brush something off coming out of the kiln. I have also been hit (by Dellene) with a Smith Little Torch for a few seconds and it didn’t even leave a mark.

The hoodie has thumb holes in the cuffs for increased coverage and is available in 2-ply ($300) and 3-ply ($350). Embroidered on the left shoulder is a pair of redwood trees with the sun setting behind them. We also offer a balaclava (face mask) for $50. Combine for the ultimate full coverage to achieve boro ninja status.

E-mail me at RedwoodEmpireGlass@gmail.com or PM me for sizes/availability or if you have any questions.

Nice action shots lil cheese. Haha :) I saw these in person at glassroots. Defiantly high quality and a very useful product. I want one soon. Gotta get a crucible first.

wow. badass!

i think it was a joke. lotta jokesters around here.

Looks good Cheese. Good luck with sales.

dude that is fucking awesome

that is badass

badass

The hoodies are badass and will defintatley be supporting you with an order for one in the future! Gotta know what model gtt hand torch is that?

please PM me cheese, would like a hoody

great looking hoodie.
what heat difference will the 3ply take vs. the 2ply?
i am getting one of these in the very near future.

Looking great man! I should've gotten one from you at Glassroots when I had some money.

im so getting one of those. Comon tax return get here sooner!:spend:

Is it a one size fits all deal?

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Originally Posted by EFS

The hoodies are badass and will defintatley be supporting you with an order for one in the future! Gotta know what model gtt hand torch is that?

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thats the melta....delta hand torch i think

Love it. Black and brown? or just brown? Sizes?

Thanks for the feed back peoples!

Currently only available in black. Available in sizes S-XXXL. Pretty much on par with standard hoodie sizing. I am 5'6" 140lb and rock a LRG and it fits me loose.

On the other hand alex ubatuba is like 8" taller than me and grabbed a large cause he didn't want the hoodie to be very baggy.

I think I only have sizes L-XXL in hand. Expecting an order of sizes M-XXL but can special order smaller or larger with 10 day turn around.

The balaclava IS one size fits all. I've got a 7 3/4" hat size and it fits me nice. Would stretch for a bigger dome too.

I am also looking into incorporating a freezer gel pack pocket above the neck to keep cool while working in such extreme heat.

Totally open to any other input for technical improvements!

Look forward yo getting these out there. I truly believe it will directly evolve what we are able to create with glass. It has for me, personally, I can only imagine what it will do for the craft as an entity.

Any chance of a pull over style? Not a zipper person

Pullover (no zip up front) totally available just 10 day to special order. Haven't ordered one yet but I would imagine it to be slightly less expensive by a few bucks.

Tall sizes would be super rad, if you could get any made I wouldn't be ble to say no.

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Originally Posted by GWS

great looking hoodie.
what heat difference will the 3ply take vs. the 2ply?
i am getting one of these in the very near future.

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still wandering the difference exactly between the two plys you offer?

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till wandering the difference exactly between the two plys you offer?

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me too.

One of these would have been great today, I've got blisters on my arm where there is a space between my kevlar sleeve and t-shirt.

Also which 3 stage is that?

Really the only difference is the weight. I'll have to get to a scale, but the 3 ply version is noticeably heavier. I personally rock a 3 ply because I'm working with a crucible and a python all day every day and I'm very short , like 5'6" and need all the protection I can get from extreme radiant heat.

A lot of people have commented that they thought the 3 ply was too heavy feeling but I find it to fit my needs perfectly.

I guess my answer is how tall are you and how big is your torch?
Most everyone has found the 2 ply to be just what they're looking for. I'd recommend the 3 ply for hot shop use or extreme heat situations.

Hope that answers it....I'll borrow a scale later but if I had to fathom a guess I'd say 2 ply is about 2 lbs and 3 ply 3 lbs.....will confirm later

Thanks for the interest!

(keeping this short cause i just typed a page and hit the back button and erased everything i don't mean to sound smug, i'm short on time)

So you're saying this $300 Hoodie won't hold up to a mirage? What's up with that?
I have repeatedly demo'd my forearm in the flame of my delta with just my carbonX sleeves on. No damage, no burns.....
Ok, so i realize the sleeves only protect my forearms......
Sleeves $25
Shirt $65
Pants $65
Socks $25
Balaclava $50

So for $230 I'm burn proof from Head To Toe...... Coveralls are $170 if i am feeling lazy, all these garments are two ply carbonX. With my gear on I'd walk through your flame without hesitation, wash it, put back on and do it again. Sorry i shortened this up and probobly left stuff out i wanted to say. Oh well, off to work......

I tested the carbon x sleeves from glass craft.

I ended up using the c6 carbon because it was more dense (more oz/yrd) and because the fiber has a tighter knit to it. My hoodies are very tightly knit, much like a normal hoodie.

The carbon x sleeves I tested were loosely knit, like a winter hat your grandma would make for you, and the air gaps in the loose ness do not block the heat as well as the c6 carbon I chose.

Also, I designed the hoodie for comfort. I personally don't like feeling like I'm blowing glass with a pair on tights on my arms.

As or your claims to the carbon x-

If you post a YouTube video wearing a sleeve with your arm directly in a delta flame for 10 seconds I will mail you my delta elite and pay for the shipping.

I get the vibe that you think I'm overcharging. The fact that the cost of the balaclava is the same ($50) should show i'm not crushing it hard on this. These cost me well over $200 to produce and I'm working on like 20 percent markup. Simply put, the material is expensive, but it performs the best that I have personally tested.

Beyond that it took 6 months of phone calls and 5 prototypes to make this actually happen. I'm not just relabeling an existing product and marking it up. I developed a new product. The first hoodie designed for blowing glass.

I personally could care less if you continue to use sleeves.

Trust me, this is not about the money. It is about improving safety apparel and user comfort to expand the possibilities of glass. I would be working a different industry with a notorious 300 percent markup if it was about they money.

kick ass gear dude...next time i get some spare loot i'll hit you up

Big up cheese!! Thought of this post yesterday while doing vacstacks. No joke kiddos....cheese has put alot of time and effort into this. I know, cause I've seen the prototypes. Get one if you need/want it. But, don't knock it til you try it.
I too would love to see this YouTube video!! Lol
Yo cheese, You should hit me up and kick it some time. Maybe dr one of these hoodies of for me and lil b...

Sorry, I type slow. I have a bit more time, and it seems you've opened the floor to discussion. I am in no way trying to start a war, so lets keep it civil.

I'll start by saying your product looks to be well made and looks like it may be comfy. I am not a CarbonX employee or a rep... I had no time and didn't go out sourcing the lowest prices earlier. I simply took your statement about the mirage and started wandering in my mind with it.
Today I checked , 2 ply C6 bacs are $28 shipped free and have a Thermal Protective Performance of 31.8 cal/cm2. 2 ply CarbonX bacs are $40 and have a Thermal Protective Performance of 45. So by the numbers i've seen CarbonX exceeds C6's performance by almost 15%.
( I looked a little further it seems tpp numbers vary from retailer to retailer. I will check with the manufacturers and edit my post accordingly.)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cheese glass

While working on a large scale installation, I had 4-5 very dangerous and scary situations where the radiant heat from a large gather from the crucible was able to spontaneously combust the hooded sweatshirt I was wearing.

After realizing how much money I had wasted and how close I had come to needing a stay in the burn unit, I decided it was time to develop heat gear that is more comfortable than the aluminized Nomex “space man” suits currently available. I have a suit but never wear it because it is so restricting/hard/crunchy.

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This type of scenario is never good. I myself have had my share of burnt clothing and charred flesh which prompted me to purchase Fire-Proof clothing to protect myself and the people around me. Space suits do suck.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cheese glass

I tested the carbon x sleeves from glass craft.

I ended up using the c6 carbon because it was more dense (more oz/yrd) and because the fiber has a tighter knit to it. My hoodies are very tightly knit, much like a normal hoodie.

The carbon x sleeves I tested were loosely knit, like a winter hat your grandma would make for you, and the air gaps in the loose ness do not block the heat as well as the c6 carbon I chose.

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I was unaware that glasscraft ever carried CarbonX sleeves and i don't see em on their site. They do have a few products made with CarbonX. I'll agree with you here. The sleeves do seem like a loose knit similar to a winter hat. There's a reason for it that i don't remember the specifics about at the moment ( something to do with the way the fabric works.... it'll come to me)but it hasn't affected the performance of the product. I've never had a problem with any of the fabric blocking radient heat. I don't work out of a furnace, but i have worked in a kiln @ 1300f with a hand torch comfortably. They produce many types of fabric, differnt knits, different weaves. The other garments are not the same weave as the sleeves.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cheese glass

Also, I designed the hoodie for comfort. I personally don't like feeling like I'm blowing glass with a pair on tights on my arms.

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True, you'll feel like a million bucks in a Lambo, but in a head on collision, who wins? A Lambo, or a Crown Vic?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cheese glass

As or your claims to the carbon x-

If you post a YouTube video wearing a sleeve with your arm directly in a delta flame for 10 seconds I will mail you my delta elite and pay for the shipping.

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It seem as though I'm either being called a liar or a troll who needs to be taught some sort of lesson...... whatever the case if your an honest man....... I think i'll accept your challenge although 10 seconds seems a bit excessive..... I'm thinking 5 seconds is more reasonable and i'll pay shipping. Who's accidentally going to stick their arm in the flame for more than a second?
( Let alone willingly)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cheese glass

I get the vibe that you think I'm overcharging. The fact that the cost of the balaclava is the same ($50) should show i'm not crushing it hard on this. These cost me well over $200 to produce and I'm working on like 20 percent markup. Simply put, the material is expensive, but it performs the best that I have personally tested.

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I don't believe you are over charging. If that's what it cost you to produce your hoodies + embroidering + whatever expenses maybe involved, then i wouldn't say you're crushing it. That said, I do however fell you may be being overcharged to produce a product that doesn't offer the kind of protection one may naively believe a piece of clothing would offer.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cheese glass

Beyond that it took 6 months of phone calls and 5 prototypes to make this actually happen. I'm not just relabeling an existing product and marking it up. I developed a new product. The first hoodie designed for blowing glass.

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Like I said before, it's a great looking piece, probably the first hoodie ever marketed towards the glassblowing industry. However, your product is not the first fire-resistant hoodie on the market. I have two CarbonX pullover hoodies i've had for years. They even make blankets big enough to save a house from a wild fire.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cheese glass

I personally could care less if you continue to use sleeves.
Trust me, this is not about the money. It is about improving safety apparel and user comfort to expand the possibilities of glass. I would be working a different industry with a notorious 300 percent markup if it was about they money.

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Maybe we got off on the wrong foot here. Hello, my name is Potential Consumer. What will your product do for for me? What are it's limitations? Most importantly, What will it cost me?

So let's see..... I'll look cool.... and stay cool as long as I maintain as safe distance from an ignition source greater than 880f. "It utilizes a blend of Nomex and C6 carbon that is extremely soft, much like a normal hoodie, yet fire-resistant up to 880F."

You also mention the hoddie is sewn together with nomex thread. Your hoodies sould be sewn with the same OPF that the garment is made of. Nomex is an inferior product and it DOES burn.

What kind of safety testing have YOU personally perfomed on your product?

I'm sorry, I have questions and concerns sorry to rant. Like I said I had some free time.

the bet is silly it never says what type and length of flame u could dial in some cool flame and get it, try a 1inch candle heavy blue laser style and go in top side 3/4 of the way out by the time u got there even 5 seconds would hurt you

WowZers.

I definitely think you took my "bet" too seriously.

I was trying to highlight that there is NO MATERIAL that is rated to withstand 3000f that a delta can put out. Most refractory brick isn't rated to withstand that type of heat much less a fabric.

The c6 2 ply is 52.7 cal/ cm2 ATPV/ARC rated
The 3 ply hasn't been tested but clearly is higher than the 2 ply.

Potential consumer-
What will this hoodie do for you?
Protect from extreme radiant heat of a 3 stage torch or working with a crucible furnace, vac stack, or other large molten mass of glass
Protect while working inside the kiln with a hand torch.
Protect from getting splashed by a friends hand torch while collaborating.

It will provide this protection without limiting range of motion like crunchy space suits or tight sleeves

Bomb-sorry if I came off like a dick. If you read back, you didn't really offer one positive thing to say and I really have put a lot of energy into logistically make this happen. I appreciate if your intent is to help me make this cheaper but short of actually outlaying the cost of an industial sewing machine and hiring a crew to run them, there isn't a way to get the cost of manufacture down. High performance heat fabrics are expensive to produce. In addition the company im working with holds a patent on the material. That's why those little black pads cost $100 and GTT torches are so expensive. I am willing to pay it because I understand how important it is and how expensive it must have been to develop.

I guess I apologize for defending a product I have been working on for awhile.

As far as first hand testing I wasted the first 5 prototypes this summer subjecting them to different flames...bonfire...bic lighter...Bunsen ....smith torch....mirage...:delta.....mag...::cobra..:::pyt hon.....skutt crucible....paragon f130

I know what this material can withstand.....and it does not include direct blast from the second stage from a GTT...:::that would be great if it did

HEY!!!!!!!!!!!! WTF I WANT ONE OF THESE I SEE YOU ARE SHORT ON CASH ANSWER MY MSG. PLEASE.

I can send you some loot quick.

Thanks for the support everybody!

Got a bunch of fellow flamers geared up.

Almost of of stock, still have a XXL 2 ply

Will update when gear is back in stock (eta Jan 20)

awesome gear b.