17 replies to this topic

[Sam Miller]

Hi all,

Last year my show didn't go exactly to plan because of the standard British weather. The fast visco I was using got wet and went out in a link of shells meaning 5 shells where not fired. This year I will not let the rain ruin my show, so what are the different methods of water proofing visco?

I was thinking duct tape and hot glue to seal the un-duct-tapeable parts, is there a better method?

 

 

Thanks

 

Sam

[portfire]

I've heard that KF often sprays Visco with NC lacquer. 

[starseeker]

foil or foil tape.

[charlie3]

Dont use visco and use waterproof quickmatch....

[cooperman435]

You cant replace visco with QM!

 

Simply waterproof it, easiest way if doing smaller amounts is to run a length of WIDE tape (gaffer fro eg) along the top of it then fold it under on both sides, job done.

[Sam Miller]

Cheers guys!

Thanks Phill that what I was planning on doing so im glad that's the tried and tested method!

 

Tubes are great btw!

[phildunford]

Have not tried recently, but suspect if you wrap visco too tight, it may turn into quick match...

[charlie3]

You cant replace visco with QM!

 

Eh... Why not???? It would never cross my mind to chain up 5 shells with visco...

[Sam Miller]

Have not tried recently, but suspect if you wrap visco too tight, it may turn into quick match...

 

I'll do a couple of tests and report back

 

 

Eh... Why not???? It would never cross my mind to chain up 5 shells with visco...

 

I'm having 2 - 4 second delays on the shells, I know that there's a method of tying QM so that it burns slower, but is it very accurate? The visco Im using burns quite accurately at 10cm per second which is perfect

[Bob Twells]

Have not tried recently, but suspect if you wrap visco too tight, it may turn into quick match...

 

That would be worth a test. Theoretically I guess it shouldn't as any hot exhaust gas shooting down the "tube" you've created would be on the outside of the visco. The cotton outer layer of the visco might just be enough to protect itself from this but I guess that's down the the quality of the visco and it's coating.

 

Definitely worth some experimenting

 

I tend to cover loosely with foil tape if needed, just enough to prevent from rain and falling embers, but not enough to "contain" the fuse for the same above concern.

[Bob Twells]

I'm having 2 - 4 second delays on the shells, I know that there's a method of tying QM so that it burns slower, but is it very accurate? The visco Im using burns quite accurately at 10cm per second which is perfect

 

We tried a few methods of tying QM as part of the fusing day we had a couple of months back. Seemed rather unreliable from what I remember, although I've seen videos of it done well on YouTube. I guess it's down lot of trial and error to see what works for your particular QM as I guess it varies from one to another based on strand type, waterproofing/casing, tying vs folding and then tying, string vs cable tiesetc.

[cooperman435]

Eh... Why not???? It would never cross my mind to chain up 5 shells with visco...

 Because if your chaining shells with visco to give a delay, replacing it with QM would result in all shells going up in one hit as visco is a time/length burning fuse and QM is for all intents instant. You could replace visco with many other types of fuse but you've named specifically one with no characteristics in common with it.

[Sam Miller]

Heres an example of what I found.

This one looks quite accurate, but the cost of the quickmatch compared to the visco... I'll stick to visco

 

http://youtu.be/trELugiODT4?t=3m45s

[charlie3]

_{Sorry, did not realise you were using the visco as a delay. Personally i would still use quick and use spolettina delays or the like.}

[Sparky]

If you wrap visco it definitely burns faster but not as quick as qm. It is definitely something you should keep in mind if you are using visco to time shells.