Creating "exploding" propane gas balls

[AntiM]

Smashy - You have a cool phucking job....you ACTUALLY GET PAID to do that!

Actually, I go out and do that for free a lot of the time because it is so much fun. The guy in the "Go Big" t-shirt is Steve Krieger the f/x coordinator I usually work with. He'll call me up when he needs an extra set of hands for a day and if I'm available, I go out and play.

My normal paid gig on the set is for running weapons. Guns are almost as fun.

I love you.

[CapSmashy]

I love you.

Awww geez....

[goathead]

I would not be too quick to tell a propane supplier what you are doing.

I would choose my words carefully when asked what you want the parts for.

You are right, the mentor is the best way to go. I would approach the suppliers next as opposed to "expermenting" with no guidance at all.
Some will not give you the time of day, but some could made sure you don't make that really big mistake.

Just like I know all the equipment you are talking about, BUT, I would not feel comfortable starting from scratch working on my own.

I know in the "burner business" section the are a couple of personal flame toy sites. I don't know their reputations or who they are but you could ask some of the flame people their opinions or if they know them.

[MikeVDS]

Depending on your background these things can be really simple. For your 5 flame candelabra you should expect to spend about $1000. I'm thinking along the lines of 3/4 inch solenoid valves for remote control of the flames which will run you about $100 each. You can get weed burners for about $20 each or make them for a little cheaper. Then you need a propane tank, something to power the solenoid valves, switches or a controller of some sort, hoses, pipe and fittings. You can go simpler and cheaper but your vision is not completely clear.

[Toolmaker]

I think a good idea for moonpies candelabra would be to do something like those trees that were there this year. I imagine they had one feed line on constant burn for the burning and another tank to provide the occasional whooshes. Experimenting before the event is important. Especially if you plan on your art being on for say 6-8 hours at a pop. You don't want to find out that your fuel suppply tanks freeze out on ya 4 hours in and you dont have spares handy. Nothing sucks more than playing with a fire effect/art piece and having the tank start to freeze. It takes longer to refill your accumulators and eventually you have to give up for the night. This heeatache is easily resolved though with soaking the tank in a drum of water and using a drum heater avail at industrial supply places. You may have to add a thermostat to the drum heater, I only have used on type that had NO adjustment. It was basically set to boil water/fluid and nothing else.

As far as my dome idea goes.. I was thinkin of a small slitting saw mounted in a dremel, this will yield a wider flame and I have some thin slitting saws and arbors handy. Also I have already done this with my bike that Miami Beach PD siezed.. I am still kinda pissy about that but I guess I'm lucky they didn't bust me for anything. The bike effect was really cool though.. I had the space in between handle bars lit up with diffused flame by wrapping the slitting saw cuts with stainless screen. Wound up having a fairly even glow and I used a standard camping stove tank so weight wasn't increased all that much. I wanted to have a whoosh at the ass end out of a fake exhaust pipe but never got to it.

[Tiahaar]

...my bike that Miami Beach PD siezed.. I am still kinda pissy about that but I guess I'm lucky they didn't bust me for anything. The bike effect was really cool though...

Ha! Have they no sense of artistic license? Bet it looked uber-cool at night.

[Dustdevil]

Here is what the NFPA regs say about using copper tubing or pipe. Note the brazing material temp minimums. Generally the PST will bow to the regs, but exceptions can be made if you can prove it is safe. It will be less expensive to use the correct metal pipe. Copper is spendy these days.

NFPA 58 (2004) 5.8.3.1(5) allows the use of copper pipe that complies with ASTM B 42 Standard Specification for Seamless Copper Pipe, Standard Sizes

NFPA 58 (2004) 5.8.3.2(3)(b) allows for the use of copper tubing that complies with ASTM B 280 Specifications for Seamless Copper Tube for Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Field Service

NFPA 58 (2004) 5.8.4.2 allows for the use of coppers fittings that have a minimum pressure rating of 250 psig if used between 125 psi and container pressure (250 psi) or 125 psi if used at a pressure of 125 psi or less.

NFPA 58 (2004) 5.8.4.1 allows for the use of brazing filler material that has a melting point that exceeds 1000 degrees F

[Foxfur]

NICE manifold, Tiahaar. Beautiful. Does it still exist
or has it been assimilated into another creation?

Ff

[Tiahaar]

TY Foxfur! Yes it still exists and works its playa magic, its on top of the yellow accumulator tank there below in 2010. This year it will be part of a new flame effect.