Flame Effects 101 for beginners?
- robrob
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Flame Effects 101 for beginners?
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!
Anyone know of any decent resources for getting started tinkering with basic stuff like poofers/blasters?
safety third!
- Major Krash
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Re: Flame Effects 101 for beginners?
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.
"If you don't think too good, don't think too much" Ted Williams
Re: Flame Effects 101 for beginners?
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
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
Re: Flame Effects 101 for beginners?
75 for the class, xtra 250 for the poofer u build, do you guys think it's worth it to get the poofer?
See you in 2014
- oneeyeddick
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Re: Flame Effects 101 for beginners?
No, but it might be worth it to get the knowledge needed to build the one you want.
We have an obligation to make space for everyone, we have no obligation to make that space pleasant.
- trilobyte
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Re: Flame Effects 101 for beginners?
+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
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Re: Flame Effects 101 for beginners?
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.
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.
Is 4 shots enuff? no foo-foo drinks; just naked Espresso
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- Sail Man
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Re: Flame Effects 101 for beginners?
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
here's a fiver OED, keep the change. Maybe you can buy a thimble full of gas with it

Excuse me Ma'am, your going to feel a small prick.
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Algorithms never survive the first thirty seconds of patient contact
- oneeyeddick
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Re: Flame Effects 101 for beginners?
Thanks, A fiver can still buy a package of toilet paper.
We have an obligation to make space for everyone, we have no obligation to make that space pleasant.
Re: Flame Effects 101 for beginners?
Doing a class is a great idea, if available. 250 sounds high.
http://www.spontaneousfire.com/TOD_firecannons.htm
http://www.spontaneousfire.com/TOD_firecannons.htm
- trilobyte
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Re: Flame Effects 101 for beginners?
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
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Re: Flame Effects 101 for beginners?
CaverX wrote: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?
Is 4 shots enuff? no foo-foo drinks; just naked Espresso
Tactical Espresso Service http://home.comcast.net/~espressocamp/
Field Artillery Tractor
FOGBANK, GOD OF HELLFIRE
BLACK ROCK f/x Trojan Horse,Anubis,2014Temple
burn shit and blow shit up
Tactical Espresso Service http://home.comcast.net/~espressocamp/
Field Artillery Tractor
FOGBANK, GOD OF HELLFIRE
BLACK ROCK f/x Trojan Horse,Anubis,2014Temple
burn shit and blow shit up
-
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Re: Flame Effects 101 for beginners?
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.
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.
Those who think they can and those who think they can't are both right.
Re: Flame Effects 101 for beginners?
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.
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.
See you in 2014