Color Blind?

[Mark Nelson]

First, I would like to thank all of you that post on the forum, sharing your knowledge and experience on knife making. I have learned a great deal in the past few weeks. My question has to do with the fact that I am VERY color blind. Have any of you dealt with this problem when it comes to forging and using color to judge the temp of a blade? Thanks again.

 

[etp777]

Wow, that's a good question, and I'm sure in years gone past you would jsut be stuck. Umm, not really sure what to suggest as I don't forge yet. One thing that comes to mind is that I knwo some people use the electric heat treat ovens to forge, even though that's not cheapest way to run things. I'd think you could use that as you ahve a temperature to be sure of the temp then, make sure to let it soak. Just means then you have to use known steel, and know from the start the forging range of said steel. I'd probablyalso stick on low end jsut to make sure, if you can't see color, so that you can make sure to avoid grain growth from excessive heat.

 

[Gib Guignard]

Try temp sticks, thy. com in a lot of different temps. You just use like a crayon if it melts you are at the temp for the one you are using or higher. A lot of welding supply stores have them, so dose MSC. These things are good to teach yourself color temps as well as your purpose. There temp range starts out low and goes to over 2000deg. Gib

 

[C-Camerer]

I too am colored blind. How I deal with the problem is when bringing the steel up to temp the first time of the day, keep checking with a magnet until it goes non-magnetic. At this point remeber the way the color looks to "you" at this temp and you are set.

 

[Mark Nelson]

Thanks for the ideas. I will try the "what the color looks like to me" idea first. Funny, that is the same thing that I do when I dress. Hmmm...maybe I should go ahead and check into those melting crayons things.

 

[Bruce Bump]

I use a pyrometer and Im not color blind. If the daylight is shining through the door I cant tell temp as well as night forging with some background lights on. Under $200 will get you set up.