Flame Effects 101 for beginners?

[robrob]

Googling around is actually kind of tricky, and the only class I see being talked about this year is in Hawaii :/

Anyone know of any decent resources for getting started tinkering with basic stuff like poofers/blasters?

safety third!

[Major Krash]

the best way is probably to find someone who already knows, and get them to teach you...use your Regional contacts to see if you can do this. Be sure to read everything on the main site about making dangerous art safely, etc.

[beckydono]

Actually the Flux Foundation is hosting fire effects workshops in Oakland! Here's the details of the next one on Mar 18th (not yet on their website at http://www.fluxfoundation.org)

My First Poofer! Workshop: March 18
A maker workshop for budding pyros

When: Sunday, March 18th, 12-5pm
Where: American Steel, Bay 3
Cost: $75 – workshop only
$325 – workshop+poofer ($250 in materials)
Register at: https://www.wepay.com/events/my-first-poofer

What you’ll do:
This one-day class will introduce you to the basics of flame effects and give you the hands-on experience building your first poofer. The class will feature a broad overview of flame effects; an introduction to safety standards; and a review of the basic design of a specific flame effect — the poofer. Once you understand these concepts, you’ll team up with one or two other students to build a poofer together.

What you’ll learn:
*How to be safe AND set things on fire!
*How to use new tools, like the baby spud!
*The world of flare and NPT fittings!
*The appreciation of the swivel hose barb and the beauty of the snap fitting!
*A new vocabulary that, on its own, will make you smarter than most people you know!

How it works:
This workshop has options: you can simply take the workshop to learn about building poofers, or, for an additional materials fee, you can walk away with your very own poofer! Either way, you will walk away with a diagram, parts list and arsenal of skills and knowledge to build a flame effect of your own in no time. Limit: 12students (6 workshop only; 6 workshop+poofer). Facilitated by: Catie Magee, Matt Mynttinen & Stacie Reichmuth

[BetaBox]

75 for the class, xtra 250 for the poofer u build, do you guys think it's worth it to get the poofer?

[oneeyeddick]

No, but it might be worth it to get the knowledge needed to build the one you want.

[trilobyte]

+1 to what Major Krash said. Talk with folks in your regional, they should be able to help you connect with area fire performers who'd have the 411 on where you can get training and equipment in your local area. Don't get me wrong, Hawaii's nice and you'd learn quite a bit in Oakland (either at the class above or somewhere else offering training), but Chicago's a big enough town that you should be able to find what you need in the area. Good luck!

[EspressoDude]

two good free reads:
1) flame effects registration rules on the Burningman website

2) NFPA 160 available to read on the NFPA website, (or purchase) This is pretty much the bible which other rules are based on.

These items are properly called Flame Effect Appliances. Anytime someone calls them a poofer, they owe OneEyedDick $.50, oops inflation, it is now 75 cents.

[Sail Man]

poofer, poofer, poofer, poofer, poofer, poofer

here's a fiver OED, keep the change. Maybe you can buy a thimble full of gas with it

[oneeyeddick]

Thanks, A fiver can still buy a package of toilet paper.

[CaverX]

Doing a class is a great idea, if available. 250 sounds high.

http://www.spontaneousfire.com/TOD_firecannons.htm

[trilobyte]

Whatever you do, don't start tinkering with making something like that until you get some training. Getting burned is one thing, exploding is something else entirely. I like the disclaimer that the Department of Spontaneous Combustion has on their site.

[EspressoDude]

Doing a class is a great idea, if available. 250 sounds high.

http://www.spontaneousfire.com/TOD_firecannons.htm

Questionz:

The design shown creates trapped gas between the isolation ball valves without a relief valve. This does not seem safe.

Also other designs presented elsewhere do not have an isolation valve at the acumulator, only the PROPANE SUPPLY TANK.

Comments?

[Dustdevil]

There is no need for a relief valve in the lines between the valves. The drawing indicates the lines are SCH 80 and the system is gas. The lines are simply part of the pressure vessel. If gas were trapped in between the valve, it is not going to exceed the working pressure of SCH 80. If the system was using liquid propane, a relief valve(s) with sufficiant volume capability, would indeed be required. This is due to the possible expansion of the liquid if the temperature rises dramatically.

There is no requirement for a tank shut off valve, but if the artist wished to switch between accumulator 1 and 2 or use both, this would make that a simple process.

[BetaBox]

Workshop was awesome, and I learned a great deal. It was a fun fast inclusive hands-on experience. Thanx flux!

On a side note, wow, that was the first time I wondered into American steel. Wow. I'm quiting my job to become a starving artist.