Viewing a flame in bright light?

[Alt-Bringer]

im trying to figure out if there's a way i can see the FULL flame from my torch (MAP)
without having to be in an potentially unsafe dark environment
as yall may know MAP gas burns a very light blue<teal colour that's very hard to see in normal light levels

using the interwebs, all I am finding is some neo-paganism stuff, and checking your stove pilot light stuff,

would welding goggles work in this capacity?

my thought is no, cause goggle is made to view things that are too bright to view safely,
whereas i think the issue of viewing flames is that the basic light level is too high?

im doing "flame finishing" on wood projects, and being able to see the whole flame would be helpfull
(in analogy, its like using a paint brush, except you can't see the bristles (or the paint on them)

any thoughts? thanks much

 

[Rive]

My first thought: salt the flame!

(However, I don't know if the salts has any effect on the woodwork...)

 

[berkeman]

im doing "flame finishing" on wood projects, and being able to see the whole flame would be helpfull

Some kind of inexpensive IR night vision goggles might work for you, as long as you can also see the visible light too. Maybe try looking through your cell phone camera to see if it picks up enough of the IR from the flame to be helpful. Cell phone cameras typically can see in the near IR spectrum (you can see the output from your IR TV remote control, for example).

 

[Alt-Bringer]

hmm... how to try this out w/o dangling a $800 phone infront of my face while playing with fire

is there perception issues using a screen as your vision source?

 

[berkeman]

hmm... how to try this out w/o dangling a $800 phone infront of my face while playing with fire

LOL. I'd suggest just using your phone to look at the flame first, to see if it sees more of it than you do. If so, then you can think about getting a couple cheaper phone cameras with a similar IR characteristic, and making something based on them. Something like Google Glass maybe...

 

[Alt-Bringer]

aww, camera doesn't really pick up any more than the eye (moto zforce 2, or first gen galaxy tab w/ ir cut filter removed)
it only really makes what you can see have a less "ghosty" effect
doesnt pick up any better in well lit environ either

finding a way to work under lower light is probably the easiest solution,

 

[Rive]

Maybe you should really try it with salt...

Ps.: since common table salt might has some negative effect on the wood, maybe try it with borax. Nice green flame and has some anti-fungal effects.

 

[Tom.G]

Try Red light for the general background and workstation illumination.