Every have one of those Ahhh eFF... moments?
 

While working on a project idea today, I dropped a large pendy straight into my lap. I was not wearing something suitable to the task at hand -- some crappy thick fuzzy-polyester-sweat pants that, ahhhh, MELT! But I was really paying attention so my reaction time was superb (if I don't say so myself, lol). I don't think I've moved that fast in a long, long time while simultaneously letting out an "Oh Fu#!" And, no human flesh was sacrificed -- I got LUCKY!! and now need to go buy some lottery tickets!

Oh wow! You scared me just reading that, I was waiting to read about the burn. I'm so glad that turned out good for you in the end.

Oh yes. That's why I'll never ever again wear fleece while at the torch. Glad you're OK!

Yikes! I work standing and wearing no synthetics. Learned that the hard way skating in polyester disco pants back in the 70's. Took a skid fall and melted fifty cent piece sized patches of polyester to my knees. Open flame and synthetics....no thank you. Glad you managed the event unscathed. :)

I did get very, very lucky and re-learned an important lesson -- never again! I can't imagine the pain and discomfort of trying to heal a burn wound at the juncture between my leg and my unmentionables - Yeooooowwwwwweeeee!

I'm not sure what is worse, melting pants or pants on fire. I've set fire to 3 pairs of jeans when marbles have popped off of their punties.

Last summer it was hot and I wore very short cotton shorts while torching. I was making a marble and the punty snapped. That sucker landed at the very top of my inner thigh, enough said. A very bad burn and I felt very stupid when the doctor asked me if I was wearing shorts. It's hard to heal a burn in that um area when it's also during a heat wave. My leather apron no longer hangs there as a decoration. Learn from me, Harbor Freight sells those aprons cheap compared to the alternative.

THIS!


This is why I have a leather apron and WEAR IT!

I also shorten the neck strap to bring it up higher. No more decolletage burns for me.

Holy shit Christy! I am glad you were able to move so fast. I 3rd the leather aprons from Harbor Freight. I am actually thinking about buying a bunch to provide students when I teach the murrini class.

I have nice little scar on my chest - off to get a leather apron as well :)

i did on monday. this past saturday i spent almost 4 hours on a marble...the biggest i've made to date at 2.1"
well monday i pulled it out of the case to show someone at work, and i dropped it on the concrete floor :(
now there's a huge fleabite right smack dab in the center of the lens. i can fix it, but having to warm up a marble that big in the kiln is a risky proposition.

have done that yet. knock on wood.

but did have the ahhh.... moment a few months ago. I wasn't really thinking about it but when i grew out my beard it grew out to about 4 inch long and then stopped growing. 6-8 months it still 4 inch and it dawns on me its from the heat of rolling a vac stack or condensing a big tube 8 inch's in front of me. the radiant heat was burning or melting my beard back.

guess i don't need a beard.

Thanks everyone for sharing like experiences... I appreciate knowing that I am not alone. I really do need to look into one of those leather aprons soon! And, Mike... I've watched a few youtube vids of lampworking guys with longer beards -- it always scares me to watch because it looks like they get soooooo close!