20 replies to this topic

[djsansom]

Was very surprised when i went into my local supermarkets (morrisons/asda) to find that they dont sell portfires or the not so good firework safety lighters, you know the ones you tend to get in smaller cheap selection boxes, in fact the girl on the counter just looked puzzled when i asked! the problem is with garden fireworks i dont think its too bad using a lighter but i would`nt fancy it with larger cat3 cakes etc. baring in mind that they are both selling larger cat3 fireworks i would of thought that safety is paramount but it appears that is not the case (surprised and shocked) but i suppose there is no law enforcing the safe use of fireworks only silly ones like banning bangers and airbombs, and larger rockets next year as i understand it (baaa ! no i wont say it !!!

[YT2095]

sorry but I gotta ask, What is a "portfire(s)"?

[djsansom]

sorry but I gotta ask, What is a "portfire(s)"?

its a Firework lighter! i think!!! you are joking with me i take it

[Asteroid]

A portfire is a small slow burning stick, which has an exposed ember to light fireworks. They generally last for around 3-4 minutes and are included free in most packs

[RangerOfFire]

A portfire is a small slow burning stick, which has an exposed ember to light fireworks. They generally last for around 3-4 minutes and are included free in most packs

They burn more like a dull hand held flare in my experience...

[YT2095]

got ya, like those oversized looking Jostick things.
yeah I`ve seen them, never knew the name though or even if they had one, sometimes you get a "Rope" type thing too, often with a red outer braid.
I use one of the 8" long BBQ lighters, ok at arms length that 8" doesn`t really ADD much, but it makes ME feel a little better/safer

djsansom: No, I wasn`t Joking.

[W.P]

Tubes filled most of the time with a highly drossy composition- most of the time just a variation on BP so that there is extra KNO3 and sulphur. I personally do not like them because of their tendency to drip and ruin the patch of grass it is lit above so I rely on using a bit of black powder tamed with extra charcoal to prime my fuses- this way I have an extra half second to move my hand away from a lit fuse.

[djsansom]

got ya, like those oversized looking Jostick things.
yeah I`ve seen them, never knew the name though or even if they had one, sometimes you get a "Rope" type thing too, often with a red outer braid.
I use one of the 8" long BBQ lighters, ok at arms length that 8" doesn`t really ADD much, but it makes ME feel a little better/safer

djsansom: No, I wasn`t Joking.

ok! 8" lighter sounds good portfires are also about that same length, but they ignite the fuse quicker ideal for setting off more than 1 at once

[djsansom]

Tubes filled most of the time with a highly drossy composition- most of the time just a variation on BP so that there is extra KNO3 and sulphur. I personally do not like them because of their tendency to drip and ruin the patch of grass it is lit above so I rely on using a bit of black powder tamed with extra charcoal to prime my fuses- this way I have an extra half second to move my hand away from a lit fuse.

sounds complicated to me! just a mere mortal not a pyro

[pmhcfc]

ok! 8" lighter sounds good portfires are also about that same length, but they ignite the fuse quicker ideal for setting off more than 1 at once

Lol, but portfires aren't 8" for very long.

[Asteroid]

Dross is the leftovers after you burn a poor batch of BP. It is generally a yellowish colour and is hygroscopic. It's hot and has chemicals in it which grass doesnt like

[David]

Seems to be a little bit of confusion here- but WP is right.

A portfire is a handheld tube full of composition, that is ignited by a fuse- it burns with a powerful flame for about three minutes.

Some brands make you choke, so take care with them.

Possibly supermarkets don't sell them because people buy them thinking they are sparklers or something? The moral, don't go to supermarkets for pyro.

Edited by David, 30 October 2007 - 07:21 PM.

[djsansom]

so how do you light your fireworks if you dont use portfires?

[David]

so how do you light your fireworks if you dont use portfires?

Personnally, I DO use portfires.

But alternatives include those joss-stick glowing splint type thingies that come in selection boxes, or those fabric wicks.

But yeah- you do raise a good point. The supermarkets sell big fireworks, but don't sell anything with which to light them!

[djsansom]

Personnally, I DO use portfires.

But alternatives include those joss-stick glowing splint type thingies that come in selection boxes, or those fabric wicks.

But yeah- you do raise a good point. The supermarkets sell big fireworks, but don't sell anything with which to light them!

yes CrAzY that!!! but you have given me an idea ( josticks ) possible cheap firework lighters ? wot do you reckon?