Testing Temperature

[caintuckrifle]

When testing how hot a workpiece or tool is that has been cooling or just quenched, use the back of your hand, in the case that the piece is hot you can still continue working. The front of most people's hands is much more sensitive than the back.

[Steve Sells]

to add:  the nervous reflex when getting pain, like being burnt is to contract muscles, closing the hand so by using the back of hand, it pulls away from the heat, if fingers or palm, you grab on.< ouch>

[Frosty]

There's a self preservation reflex anybody working in a hot shop can and should develop. ALWAYS hesitate a second before touching a piece of steel or hot tool. A second near a hot piece of metal will tell you all you need to know, if not touching it will emphasize the lesson.

 

Your are right on both counts, the back of your hand or your arm is much more sensitive to temperature than your calloused up palms and fingers. Reflex muscle contractions tend to run all the way to your spine jerking your whole arm away from the burning object, not having your hand automatically clamp onto it is a GOOD thing.

 

Carpe Terminus Frigis, Frosty

[Glenn]

A little water (or spit) will indicate a temperature above 200 *F. The sizzle is all you need to heat.

 

I put everything from the forge on the HOT table. Anything from the HOT table goes into water and then into a BARE hand which places it on the WORK table.  Everything on the work table is below 200*F and able to be held in your bare hand. No surprises that way.

 

It may be warm, but not hot enough to burn you or some quick grabber passing by.

[HWooldridge]

There's a self preservation reflex anybody working in a hot shop can and should develop. ALWAYS hesitate a second before touching a piece of steel or hot tool. A second near a hot piece of metal will tell you all you need to know, if not touching it will emphasize the lesson.
 
Your are right on both counts, the back of your hand or your arm is much more sensitive to temperature than your calloused up palms and fingers. Reflex muscle contractions tend to run all the way to your spine jerking your whole arm away from the burning object, not having your hand automatically clamp onto it is a GOOD thing.
 
Carpe Terminus Frigis, Frosty

I have actually cultivated this very reflex, i.e., a short pause built in to grasping whatever I'm intent on holding. A few burn scars tends to enhance focus...