5 replies to this topic

[crystal palace fireworks]

Hi all,

Does anyone have any info or experience on fire drawing and the materials and methods used to create them?

For example:- What type of rope? thickness? fuel used to burn it? are there different coloured flames effects that can be used? what fastenings are used to hold the rope in place? is there any need to stiffen (perhaps a starch solution) the rope to create better shapes? or to use a flame retardent to slow down the burning of the rope for a longer lasting effect?

Any input you guys can give would be most appreciated!

[Arthur Brown]

Rope; two sorts combustible and heat resistant combustible is usually paper there is a paper rope supplier somewhere on the forum from previous chats on the topic. Otherwise the fire eater performers use heat and fuel resistant rope. google "fire poi"

Fuel; kerosene or alcohol based. kerosene is cheap and easy but alcohol is easier to colour the flame with polar molecles like chlorides of Li Sr Ba Na.

Support; try weldmesh at a suitable scale

[Night Owl]

When I do fire writing We use metal mesh sheeting, as used in the building trade for concrete floors, these are fastend to wooden post's in the ground, to tie the rope to it I use metal ties the ones used to tie 25k potato sacks, I use parafin and petrol mix to soak the rope for burning.

The rope as far as I know is jus called fire rope and made from paper compressed into a rope, its about 50mm thick and can be bought from some pyro companies:)

Third pic down http://pulsar46.tripod.com/

Edited by shell shooter man, 01 October 2008 - 10:49 PM.

[crystal palace fireworks]

Thanks Arthur,

Any idea on what the ratio`s are for mixing lithium, strontium, barium, sodium chloride`s into alcohol to get coloured flames?


Thanks `Shell Shooter Man` for the info,........that 50mm paper rope does seem a little thick to me, and Ive only found one site that sells it for £2.65 per metre! (not cheap)........I might try the thinner stuff or some old fashioned cotton clothes line (which hopefully will last a little longer and burn just as good).

[Arthur Brown]

The paper rope came out of the upholstery industry I think, they use it for filling out beading and trim in furniture. This rope is consumed by the burning. Kevlar rope is used as fire juggling rope and is re-usable though not too many times, it is also damaged by the fuel prior to the burn.

Petrol/diesel/ doesn't take colourants easily but alcohol does take polar colourants. No, I've not done it but try say 1% or 5% in a small test run. Garden centres sell several variants on chicken wire mesh with various shaped and sized holes, after that builders heavy side merchants will supply re-inforcing mesh in huge sheets and costs.

[Night Owl]

This guy is well into fire drawings have a look he has vids and pics http://www.externalc...on.com/comp.htm