Does anyone have a good idea for a heat shield for the tongs used for the 3kg electric foundry furnaces? When pouring bronze my hands in the gloves get warmer than I would like. I'm trying to avoid reinventing the wheel. A photo would be great. I normally use two pairs of tongs, especially for bronze. One to lift the crucible by the neck, and a second to support it from the middle to help tip it for pouring and decrease the stress on the neck.
Until you get the heat shield figured out, get a pair of tight fitting cloth gloves, wet them and wear them inside your regular gloves when pouring. That should keep your hands comfortably cool long enough to complete your pour.
I'd suggest that most of the heat is Infrared radiation so a simple sheet metal shield would likely make a huge difference.
I've had damp leather gloves (to make them flexible) give off steam and nearly cause burns from the radiant heat of a crucible and furnace. It's not something I'll try again.
Always a trade-off between comfort, safety, and percieved safety. I don't mind feeling the heat, it reminds me not to put my body in the way. What are you using for gloves? I imagine ARC-welding type? Insulated? You could try a second pair of TIG welder's gloves underneath, or kevlar heat-resistant ones. But if you have decided a heat shield is necessary, then as garyh has said, any bit of sheet metal (around here, colloquiallly "roofing tin") that you can affix between the crucible and handles will help you out.
