hmmm, the latest and greatest cilicon oven mits sound like they would work 
quite well.
Although, they're quite thick...the idea is that you want something thin, 
heat resistant and flexible...perhaps take a look at a store where they sell 
different kinds of oven gloves/mits, and perhaps you could find one thin 
enough that you could cut to shape for the heat protection you want.
You could almost use a couple high heat resistant thimbles...not sure where 
one might find those though.
The material certainly exists, but getting it into the shape and size you 
want might be more difficult.
Something as thin as a cotton glove or thin as a latex glove would be 
perfect I think.

73
Colin, V A6BS
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Martin McCormick" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2012 11:01 AM
Subject: Re: FW: soldering?


> I have been soldering for about 50 years and am always
> looking for ways to refine the process. The stainless steel
> tubing sounds very useful. What was this tubing originally meant
> for?
>
> Another thing that would be useful is some sort of glove
> material that would let one briefly touch the tip of a hot iron
> while placing it against the work. I once discovered that cotton
> work gloves were very good for this except it only takes a
> fraction of a second to burn a hole right in the glove which
> brought a quick and painful end to the experiment.
>
> Such gloves would also work for handling desoldering
> tools which get even hotter.
>
> The idea is not to hold the tip for extended periods of
> time, but briefly pinch it while guiding it in.
>
> Martin WB5AGZ