how do I build a flame thrower for my art car?

SoulFreak_pdx · Post by **SoulFreak_pdx** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 7:10 pm

Ok, so I see all these art cars that shoot fire and I would like to do that. I imagine you hook up a propane tank but don't where to start, what I need, etc. Can somebody help?

oneeyeddick · Post by **oneeyeddick** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 8:44 pm

Join Tribe, there are many tribes there than can help you.
Pyro is a good one for flamethrowers and such.

Nothing here but a bunch of hippies trying to figure out how to light thier sagesticks with thier NagChampa.

good luck................

klondike_bar · Post by **klondike_bar** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 10:49 pm

ooh, ooh, i know this one!

but first, the necessary warnings: Please do not attempt this without adequate supervision, medical staff, fire-fighting equipment, and a kill-switch. Do not attempt if drunk, high, tipsy, tripping, or totally fucked out of your rocking chair. this is not a toy, it is fully capable of killing humans an must be treated with such respect. building a flamethrower does not make you a god-the police can easily take you down...

I think that about covers that. now to the actual info

keep in mind that i have only a basic knowledge, and no experience. I offer what i know:

equipment/parts:

propane tank
adjustable regulator
decompression tank/chamber
sparker/igniter
nozzel

basic idea: the propane will flow from the highly pressurized tank to another containment which will allow for the liquid propare to depressuriv\ze and completely form a gas. the regulator will then control how much/how long the propane is allowed to flow for (creating effects from fireball burst to long torch). I am unsure as to how the sparker is best made, but i assume it would be best if involving either a pilot flame or some form of capcitor discharge (spark) at the nozzel.

Post by **mdmf007** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 11:30 pm

Funny thing with propane is that regardless of quanitity of propane inside the pressure is based on the temperature inside until its empty then it drops like a rock. Propane pressure is based on temperature (124 PSI at 70F and 390psi at 172F) by law relief valves are set at no more than 375PSI.

The reason you have an expansion chamber is in the fact that expanding gasses cool - as they cool the pressure drops. (in the case of propane - alot) It will drop enough in fact that it will barely flow until returned to ambient temperature.

Every office worker sees this with the little cans of compressed "Air" used to clean electronics. Blows stong for 30 seconds, gets cold. stops flowing till warm. Propane does the same thing, so the expansion chamber gives it a chance to fill from the primary tank without cooling it more than it needs too.

have fun, and be safe, take precautions.

Oldguy · Post by **Oldguy** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 11:45 pm

Read " Breath of the Dragon " by Roger Benson at

SoulFreak_pdx · Post by **SoulFreak_pdx** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 8:33 pm

thank you all for your responses...this seems like a good start, I will get back to you all. Lucky

oneeyeddick · Post by **oneeyeddick** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 9:31 pm

Good dog, Oldguy, you trying to get the feds on us?
That is purely for weapons making , that type of flamethrower will be of little use at BM, unless you are the Addis type.

click here to get all the info you probably need to build your popper

Toolmaker · Post by **Toolmaker** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 11:16 am

If you can't figure out the plumbing on your own you probably shouldn't be making em.

If you MUST strike out on your own without knowledge of the plumbing than use stuff for WOG (water, oil, gas) and test your shit under water for leaks with inert gas. Putting an extra 1/4 turn shutoff is wise and try to use a decent regulator. There are differing opinions and methods for ignition but many folks wind up using propane torch nozzles or weedburners depending on the size of the effect. Some people go with homemade ignition rings or bars for some of the more non-standard flame effects.