forging heat colors

[Scott Roush]

This may be a basic question.... but what is the best ambient lighting for interpreting heating colors of the steel you are working on?  Dark, sort of dark, typical shop lighting??

[LAR43]

Not dark dark, but really subdued. I use a trash can on it's side during daylight. Pull it out of the fire & stick it in the can then look for the color.
The really best way is a pyrometer to tell you the precise temp.
Everyone sees colors differently so you're going to have to experiment a little.

Larry

[Scott Roush]

How about those infrared remote thermometers mechanics use??? I saw somebody using one of those at Haywood.  He just aimed it right at the edge of the blade...