25 replies to this topic

[SwissTony]

Anyone know anywhere that sells portfires cheapish and doesn't charge a huge amount on postage (to the UK)??
Need around 20 for a small private display I am doing for friends.
There aren't any shops that sell them near to me.
I don't fancy using those awful sawdust stick things the pack with consumer fireworks.

Apologies if this is in the wrong section, wasn't sure which to choose to be honest.

Edited by SwissTony, 20 September 2007 - 06:52 PM.

[maxman]

Second to bottom on this page.

[SwissTony]

Thanks for the link, but they want 15 quid for delivery

[BrightStar]

You could try making your own. I tried the Lancaster 60 KNO3 + 20 BP + 20 S mix mentioned in this thread:

http://www.pyrosocie...amp;hl=Portfire

It burns at about 1mm / second with a smoky white flame and is a bit drossy with all the sulfur. Try milling for a bit or fine screening to give an even burn. Maybe add some dextrin and damp pack it into the casing - just a couple of turns of paper should be fine and will allow it to dry over a couple of days.

A red gum based formula might be nicer to use if you can find one, but this is cheap and cheerful...

[broadsword]

anywhere will want 15-20quid for delivery I'm afraid. They will have to be sent in a UN container and by a licenced carrier (usually nightfreight) and it usually cost more than £20 so shops will usually have a minimum order for posted orders.

Maybe try calling the shops.

www.thefireworkstore.co.uk
www.fireworkscrazy.co.uk
www.fireworkemporium.co.uk

...To name a few!

HTH!

[Mortartube]

You can try Mike at Brighton fireworks, if you can get to Brighton, http://www.brightonf...s.com/index.htm or there was a shop in Rye that I believe used to sell fireworks year round. Up through the landgate if I remember. They would be nearer I guess.

[crystal palace fireworks]

Would it be irresponsible for me to suggest using a "Blow Torch Lighter"? they dont go out in the wind!, I think the S.A.S guys use them for welding and lighting fires quickly, but i don`t know how long they last before refilling?

Just look on ebay, they are around the £7.00 mark.

I trust and hope you guys wear some form of fire proof clothing & gloves (long welding gloves are good, plus I like to spray them with flame proofing spray), plus a face sheild/mask when lighting fireworks?

[RangerOfFire]

I have a proper blow torch and can say it won't go out, should last well over 2 hours.

The other option is a "Jet Flame Lighter", these are basically a mini blow torch, the downside is that the gas capacity is rubbish.

[Bonny]

Would it be irresponsible for me to suggest using a "Blow Torch Lighter"? they dont go out in the wind!, I think the S.A.S guys use them for welding and lighting fires quickly, but i don`t know how long they last before refilling?

Just look on ebay, they are around the £7.00 mark.

I trust and hope you guys wear some form of fire proof clothing & gloves (long welding gloves are good, plus I like to spray them with flame proofing spray), plus a face sheild/mask when lighting fireworks?

I probably wouldn't bother with fireproofing spray (a little overkill IMO) on welding gloves... Leather doesn't burn very well.I welded for over five years and a welding arc is much hotter than any butane flame will get, and never had any gloves actually catch on fire.

[pudi.dk]

The other option is a "Jet Flame Lighter", these are basically a mini blow torch, the downside is that the gas capacity is rubbish.

I have got quite a few, all were unreliable and only 1 out of many works now (They won't light the butane, even though the piezo is fine). Also you CAN blow them out more easy than a blow torch. The flame is also somewhat smaller, so not really ideal for lighting a show.

[crystal palace fireworks]

I probably wouldn't bother with fireproofing spray (a little overkill IMO) on welding gloves... Leather doesn't burn very well.I welded for over five years and a welding arc is much hotter than any butane flame will get, and never had any gloves actually catch on fire.

Bonny your probably right, heat from a welding arc is much hotter than any butane flame will get, its not so much the blow torch aspect im concerned with, its some of the idiots who don`t understand the dangers of working closely with fireworks that bothers me!

It maybe overkill, but wearing long welders gloves with a flame retardent is in my opinion a good idea as a compromise in not having the arms length protection of a portafire in your hand.

I once visited a hospital burns-unit a few days after bonfire night in the UK, you should see and hear some of the victims stories, some of these were pyro-hobbyists who thought they were safe by not wearing any suitable clothing and protection, also you should see the burns from sparklers (mostly children) - they are now going to be in and out of hospital for the rest of there lives!

stay safe!

[SwissTony]

I will be wearing appropriate clothing.
The fireworks I will be letting of will probably be the most pathetic consumer fireworks you can buy
Just need some kind of decent lighting device as the ones they provide with consumer fireworks are useless. Last time I used them, I ended up standing there with the stick stuck on the end of the visco, blowing at it, to get the embers hot enough for the visco to light.
I would love to make my own portfires, but time is the issue at the moment so was going for the quick and easy option.

[RangerOfFire]

I have got quite a few, all were unreliable and only 1 out of many works now (They won't light the butane, even though the piezo is fine). Also you CAN blow them out more easy than a blow torch. The flame is also somewhat smaller, so not really ideal for lighting a show.

Yes I have to agree on that point, the valves go wrong very easily, they'll last 1 refill IME and then break.

If they're just consumer fireworks why the need for portfires? The sticks that are provided work well enough, I've used them for cat 2 fountains to cat 3 200 shot barrages without any problems.

As an afterthought, how about using sparklers (this works in theory, not sure about the practical side)?

[SwissTony]

The sticks they dish out now are so thin (3mm) its almost impossible to light stuff without standing around ages, blowing on the end of it, to get it hot enough.

Sparklers I guess would work, but wouldn't last a huge amount of time.

[Mortartube]

Do you know anyone in Battel Bonfire Society who may be able to help?