hello all! Im getting close to burning my swords for the first time, and i was wondering if anyone has any methods of fueling them up? thanks!
Roar
Roar
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Re: Fueling Swords?
Sat, April 23, 2005 - 12:13 PMin an area far away from people and the burn circle, douse them with the fluid on all sides, then apologise to mother nature for the spill.
Either that, or get a large pizza pan to catch the runoff. But really, soaking up the swords is nasty buissness, and you end up having to waste a good bit of fuel, just trying to get them doused all the way through.
also, like all fire tools, make to do a full tech inspection before every burn. Check your hilt, retainer make sure all the sword is secure, then check the wicking to make sure there's no signs that chunks of burning stuff will fly off. Make it a part of your pre-burn routine, when you're focusing and clearing your mind before the burn, hold your swords and go over them carefully. -
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Re: Fueling Swords?
Thu, May 5, 2005 - 10:59 PMthanks alot man, i really appreciate it. Later!
Roar
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Re: Fueling Swords?
Mon, May 9, 2005 - 1:54 AM' in an area far away from people and the burn circle, douse them with the fluid on all sides, then apologise to mother nature for the spill.'
that's kinda irresponsible advice, given that you can catch all of your runoff in your dipping bucket with very little effort. All you have to do is keep the part of the sword was you are pouring fuel on over the fuel bucket, and move the sword while keeping the fuel can that you're puring from in place(ie right over the fuel bucket). Yehyeh we're spinning off fuel on the ground anyways, but I wouldn't ever advise someone to pour fuel directly on the ground when it can be prevented with a little effort, and you're not wasting as much fuel, no?
*just got a brand new 6ft tai chi style/balanced fire sword* ^_^ -
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Re: Fueling Swords?
Mon, May 9, 2005 - 1:56 AMsorry, forgot..Also we've built soaking tubes for swords out of pvc pipe. If you're making a tube, you just need to find an end cap and size of pvc pipe that you can fit the wicked blade into, the snugger the fit the better, as long as it fits. -
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Re: Fueling Swords?
Wed, May 11, 2005 - 8:52 PMThat's a great idea... use it myself :) - in addition, the close ended pvc tube is a good drip catcher/evaporation preventer (when using alcohol), when you have to fuel up multiple minutes before a performance...
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Re: Fueling Swords?
Wed, May 11, 2005 - 8:53 PMEither that or get a squirt bottle full of fuel, point your sword tip down into the dipping bucket, and squirt down the length of the blade (both sides, of course!) - works well... -
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Re: Fueling Swords?
Mon, May 16, 2005 - 1:55 PMYeah. Actually I use the squirt bottles that Charcoal Lighter fluid comes in, because they look pretty obviously fuel (and sometimes Lamp Oil bottles can look like bottles of cheap booze... I wouldn't want a drunk idiot trying to drink my fuel), and also for the spray. When possible, I use a catch-can, but if you squirt it on, not that much runs off. -
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Re: Fueling Swords?
Mon, May 23, 2005 - 7:54 PMThe fuel squirter is probably the best - but in a pinch..
I stand the sword in the typical poi fuel bucket and pour the fuel slowly down one side, then flip it over and do the same on the other side...
pick up the sword for a few and let the runoff drip for a minute or so..
(ususally while waiting for another fire dancer to finish their run )
and move away from fuel .. and have someone light me. ( ususally with poi works well ) usually with the sword pointed directly away from me ) - if you do a few slow movements to let the excess burn off - you won't be spinning fuel all over the place.
Kevin -
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Re: Fueling Swords?
Wed, May 25, 2005 - 7:02 AMfor lighting the swords... I'm going to be accused of irresponsibility on this one, but I stand behind my safety on this:
handheld propane blowtorch, like this 20 dollar marvel www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...item.taf
They are quick, have safteys, can light a fire-tool from a short distance, reducing the hazard or drips, they all have safetys, and the metal canister is more resistant to fuckups than a plastic lighter. Yes, the flame is larger, hotter, and there is more fuel... that just means don't play with it drunk.
One of those marvels will light up any poi, sword, or staff practically instantly, which I think makes the ignitor's job safer, because they aren't fiddling with a cigarette lighter beneath soaked parrafin oil. -
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Re: Fueling Swords?
Wed, May 25, 2005 - 8:17 AMha, I can't see how having a quick light is irresponsible at all. Those are great, it's a good standard for a troupe to have 5 or 6 of those on hand for a show, depending on how many people will be lit at once n stuff.
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Re: Fueling Swords?
Wed, August 10, 2005 - 9:13 AMYep this is what I have found to be true as well. Including the starting with slow movements instead of spinning off all that fuel. WHy not burn it!
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Re: Fueling Swords?
Wed, May 25, 2005 - 10:04 AMA pvc pipe sealed on one end and with cap on the other. Any other way and where you dont submerge it makes it hard to get as much fuel into as it can hold. -
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Re: Fueling Swords?
Wed, August 10, 2005 - 9:11 AMBeen having good luck with the turkey baster method as well!
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Fueling gutter-bath
Sun, July 10, 2005 - 6:38 PM
I have used flashing to construct a makeshift gutter for fueling - its cross-section is a 'V' made by bending the 12" wide flashing in half (it is usually bought pre-bent at 90'). Then the ends can be folded back inwards to seal off the gutter - you can solder them to seal them or, as I have, just bend them so they seal as-is.
NOTE: Too much repeated bending will put a hole into the creases or ends.
The unit I have made is about 2.5 feet long and has legs made from the extra flashing at one end - so it supports itself such that I lay my broadsword into the tray/gutter and then start pouring fuel over it. This allows me to baste it and also leave it in a bath if desirable, I can simply leave the bath half full and drop most of my sword's wick in quickly.
For a sword with a fresh wick, this is particularly useful since it can be left to soak for an extended periond. You can bag the whole thing to keep the fuel from evaporating too quickly.
After soaking, I use a green garbage back for spin-off - I just put the sword into the bag, wrap the top of the bag around the handle, and pin-wheel it a few times. I can pour off the excess (with some difficulty) if I'm feeling stingy.
Hope that helps. -
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Re: Fueling gutter-bath
Sun, January 15, 2006 - 9:58 PMFinally I posted a bunch of stuff to the web including some pix of the gutter bath. Enjoy - www.maelstromcore.com/fire/ma...rds.html
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Re: Fueling Swords?
Sun, August 28, 2005 - 11:57 PMTURKEY BASTER!!!!!!
I never leave home without one!!!!
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Re: Fueling Swords?
Fri, October 14, 2005 - 10:59 AMI know this thread is old but I just got on the tribe -
anyway - I like to have a pump syphon in my fuel kit for swords and fans and such. another trick I use with swords is not to fuel them all the way toward the hilt - the fuel will end up there (the word for it is "wicking" right?) and this helps to avoid fuel dripping down the non wicked part of the blade or hilt.
