Forums > Technical Discussion > wire wool
Login/Join to ParticipateSILVER Member
addict
544 posts
Location: swansea, United Kingdom
addict
544 posts
Location: swansea, United Kingdom
Posted:
i have been told that if you use wire wool on you poi then they will give off sparks,
is this true?
if yes how do you do it and whats the best stuff to use?
nice one
i have been told that if you use wire wool on you poi then they will give off sparks,
is this true?
if yes how do you do it and whats the best stuff to use?
nice one
DONT DO DRUGS THERE BAD FOR YOU.
SO GIVE THEM ALL TO ME AND I WILL GET RID OF THEM FOR YOU!
BRONZE Member
old hand
929 posts
Location: Oregon, USA
old hand
929 posts
Location: Oregon, USA
Posted:
Spinning wool is one of the most dangerous things you can spin, so it's not really something to be taken lightly. Look around there are a bunch of threads with constuction of use of them, and there are a few different ways to go about it, but as always safety should be your top concern. Far more of a concern than normal since they aren't just throwing sparks, its blobs of molten steel, that can and will start ground fires, burn people, drift in the wind, and fly at least 50-100'
There is a pic in my gallery of me spinning steel wool if you want to see what it looks like
Spinning wool is one of the most dangerous things you can spin, so it's not really something to be taken lightly. Look around there are a bunch of threads with constuction of use of them, and there are a few different ways to go about it, but as always safety should be your top concern. Far more of a concern than normal since they aren't just throwing sparks, its blobs of molten steel, that can and will start ground fires, burn people, drift in the wind, and fly at least 50-100'
There is a pic in my gallery of me spinning steel wool if you want to see what it looks like
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SILVER Member
veteran
1,433 posts
Location: 8 days at Cloudbreak, 6 in Perth, Australia
veteran
1,433 posts
Location: 8 days at Cloudbreak, 6 in Perth, Australia
Posted:
This thread has been done over and over....do a search and I am sure you will find what you are looking for.
This thread has been done over and over....do a search and I am sure you will find what you are looking for.
SILVER Member
15,417 posts
Location: South Wales
15,417 posts
Location: South Wales
Posted:
"Spinning wool is one of the most dangerous things you can spin"
I would say that spinning great white sharks, covered in barbed wire, on rusty chains, whilst wearing a magnetic suit of meat was far more dangerous...
But it is indeed still very dangerous.
EDITED_BY: Unattractive Cranky Old Freud (1110569768)
"Spinning wool is one of the most dangerous things you can spin"
I would say that spinning great white sharks, covered in barbed wire, on rusty chains, whilst wearing a magnetic suit of meat was far more dangerous...
But it is indeed still very dangerous.
EDITED_BY: Unattractive Cranky Old Freud (1110569768)
SILVER Member
15,417 posts
Location: South Wales
15,417 posts
Location: South Wales
Posted:
Two.
On each shark.
Two.
On each shark.
GOLD Member
Member
19 posts
Location: Houston, TX, USA
Member
19 posts
Location: Houston, TX, USA
Posted:
Go for it, Pitman. No guts, no glory. But, be safe. Be sure you spin it on a beach or an abandoned parking lot, as it will collect on the ground around you rather quickly, and you don't want to be standing anywhere even remotely flamable. Keep in mind that you have about a good 20 -30 feet radius of constant bombardment around you too.
Tie it securely with wire. Bailing wire works great. You'll want to make it real tight. Then, just soak and light like you normally would, and enjoy the fireworks.
BE CAREFUL!!!
Go for it, Pitman. No guts, no glory. But, be safe. Be sure you spin it on a beach or an abandoned parking lot, as it will collect on the ground around you rather quickly, and you don't want to be standing anywhere even remotely flamable. Keep in mind that you have about a good 20 -30 feet radius of constant bombardment around you too.
Tie it securely with wire. Bailing wire works great. You'll want to make it real tight. Then, just soak and light like you normally would, and enjoy the fireworks.
BE CAREFUL!!!
We create a new world order, one of beauty and grace, color and sound. There is nothing more vibrant or full of life than the roar of fire tying knots of light around your body.
BRONZE Member
Irish
525 posts
Location: Dallas.........ish, USA
Irish
525 posts
Location: Dallas.........ish, USA
Posted:
try closer to 50-100ft.....
try closer to 50-100ft.....
Jesus saves sinners and redeems them for cash and
prizes
Co-Founder of Keepers of Light
Educate yourself about the Hazards of Fire Breathing STAY SAFE!
SILVER Member
veteran
1,433 posts
Location: 8 days at Cloudbreak, 6 in Perth, Australia
veteran
1,433 posts
Location: 8 days at Cloudbreak, 6 in Perth, Australia
Posted:
Soak wire wool???
I find soaking it makes it work less efficiently...I just light it straight and it works wonderfully.
Soak wire wool???
I find soaking it makes it work less efficiently...I just light it straight and it works wonderfully.
enthusiast
328 posts
Location: uk
328 posts
Location: uk
Posted:
I've just fininshed doing a wire wool workshop with a small group that i informally teach, I would say regarding soaking, if your going to use additional fuel use only a small amount, really only about a small cap full on each, about 10 or 15 ml is usually sufficient.
Safe distances, we were using 100 meters, that would be around 300 feet
mark
I've just fininshed doing a wire wool workshop with a small group that i informally teach, I would say regarding soaking, if your going to use additional fuel use only a small amount, really only about a small cap full on each, about 10 or 15 ml is usually sufficient.
Safe distances, we were using 100 meters, that would be around 300 feet
mark
SILVER Member
veteran
1,433 posts
Location: 8 days at Cloudbreak, 6 in Perth, Australia
veteran
1,433 posts
Location: 8 days at Cloudbreak, 6 in Perth, Australia
Posted:
I think it depends on how much wire wool you use and the cage type you are using as to how far is classified as a safe distance (also the speed of the spinner)...my small cages that I use 20 meters is quite safe but with one of the other twirlers who use a larger cage I noticed the area he had sparks flying was quite substantially lareger than mine...I would have said he should have been at least 50 metres away.
I think it depends on how much wire wool you use and the cage type you are using as to how far is classified as a safe distance (also the speed of the spinner)...my small cages that I use 20 meters is quite safe but with one of the other twirlers who use a larger cage I noticed the area he had sparks flying was quite substantially lareger than mine...I would have said he should have been at least 50 metres away.
SILVER Member
addict
544 posts
Location: swansea, United Kingdom
addict
544 posts
Location: swansea, United Kingdom
Posted:
thanks for all the help but can anyone tell me how to make a wire wool head. do i just wrap it around some metal, round some klever?????
i'm so confused "sob" "sob" "sniff" "sob"
thanks still all the same
thanks for all the help but can anyone tell me how to make a wire wool head. do i just wrap it around some metal, round some klever?????
i'm so confused "sob" "sob" "sniff" "sob"
thanks still all the same
DONT DO DRUGS THERE BAD FOR YOU.
SO GIVE THEM ALL TO ME AND I WILL GET RID OF THEM FOR YOU!
member
277 posts
Location: Baltimore, Maryland, USA
277 posts
Location: Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Posted:
Dude, chill. Just buy a sample pack of steel wool (different grades) some bailing wire, and a six-pack of beer (or relaxant of choice)
Then, EXPERIMENT. Here's a good thing to try first. Go out and gind the page that describes how to make terry-towel wicks. Instead of all terry-towel, use just a little bit of terry towel and mostly wool. Try 00 grade first. Soak in white gas. With a little bit of rag+white gas, you're almost guaranteed a good burn. After a while, you'll figure out how to pack the wool so you don't need the rag or the liquid fuel.
It's really not that hard, but it will take a little while to get a really good spark show. Then, once you know what works, you can try to replicate that with some sort of cage that you can re-use.
-p.
Dude, chill. Just buy a sample pack of steel wool (different grades) some bailing wire, and a six-pack of beer (or relaxant of choice)
Then, EXPERIMENT. Here's a good thing to try first. Go out and gind the page that describes how to make terry-towel wicks. Instead of all terry-towel, use just a little bit of terry towel and mostly wool. Try 00 grade first. Soak in white gas. With a little bit of rag+white gas, you're almost guaranteed a good burn. After a while, you'll figure out how to pack the wool so you don't need the rag or the liquid fuel.
It's really not that hard, but it will take a little while to get a really good spark show. Then, once you know what works, you can try to replicate that with some sort of cage that you can re-use.
-p.
member
277 posts
Location: Baltimore, Maryland, USA
277 posts
Location: Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Posted:
BTW, JPEG goodness:
https://vees.net/g2/image.html?id=5362&offset=1
user/pass: gallery/gallery
-p.
BTW, JPEG goodness:
https://vees.net/g2/image.html?id=5362&offset=1
user/pass: gallery/gallery
-p.
SILVER Member
addict
544 posts
Location: swansea, United Kingdom
addict
544 posts
Location: swansea, United Kingdom
Posted:
nice pic very impresive
nice pic very impresive
DONT DO DRUGS THERE BAD FOR YOU.
SO GIVE THEM ALL TO ME AND I WILL GET RID OF THEM FOR YOU!
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,638 posts
Location: Brum / Dorset / Fairy Land
3,638 posts
Location: Brum / Dorset / Fairy Land
Posted:
Hi - as the others have said there is a lot of info in the archives about this one so you can easily use the [Old link] function to find it
To get you going, here's a little help.
[Old link]
[Old link]
[Old link]
[Old link]
[Old link]
[Old link]
[Old link]
But I'm sure there'll be something in there.
Otherwise do a search, like I just did, and there is a whole wealth of information at your fingertips.
Hi - as the others have said there is a lot of info in the archives about this one so you can easily use the [Old link] function to find it
To get you going, here's a little help.
[Old link]
[Old link]
[Old link]
[Old link]
[Old link]
[Old link]
[Old link]
But I'm sure there'll be something in there.
Otherwise do a search, like I just did, and there is a whole wealth of information at your fingertips.
Geologists do it in the dirt................ 
SILVER Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,276 posts
Location: Oxfordshire/Wiltshire, United Kingdom
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,276 posts
Location: Oxfordshire/Wiltshire, United Kingdom
Posted:
i love wire wool but i suck at it... damn me being to weak!!!
i love wire wool but i suck at it... damn me being to weak!!!
tHeReS gOoD aNd EvIl iN EaCh InDiViDuAl fIrE, iDeNtIfIeS nEeDs AnD fEeDs OuR dEsIrEs.
Internet Hate Machine
10,530 posts
Location: They seek him here, they seek him there...
10,530 posts
Location: They seek him here, they seek him there...
Posted:
I want so desperatley to ;earn how to spin wire wool.. and Fire Breathing
and devil sticks.. and contact juggling... i want to learn everything!
I want so desperatley to ;earn how to spin wire wool.. and Fire Breathing
and devil sticks.. and contact juggling... i want to learn everything!
The existance of flamethrowers says that someone, somewhere, at sometime said "I need to set that thing on fire, but it's too far away."
BRONZE Member
old hand
1,174 posts
Location: Great Malvern [UK]
old hand
1,174 posts
Location: Great Malvern [UK]
Posted:
There isn't much to learn to be honest. Just spin a pair of wire-wool heads as fast as you can and it'll look spectacular. What is difficult is learning how to do it safely. As Lurch pointed out, this is not something to be taken lightly - molten lump(s) of steel landing on yourself, spectators, dry shrubbery etc. needs to be avoided. If you're going to give this a go, do it on the sand on a beach. If the ground's wet, that's definitely going to work in your favour. Make sure any spectators are upwind - they're not going to be impressed if you start showering them in molten steel! Wear good thick clothing - I was wearing jeans and hit myself once. The wire wool burnt right through them, but thankfully didn't get as far as my skin.
Spinning wire wool is potentially very dangerous... but it does look very cool
Be careful and have fun!
There isn't much to learn to be honest. Just spin a pair of wire-wool heads as fast as you can and it'll look spectacular. What is difficult is learning how to do it safely. As Lurch pointed out, this is not something to be taken lightly - molten lump(s) of steel landing on yourself, spectators, dry shrubbery etc. needs to be avoided. If you're going to give this a go, do it on the sand on a beach. If the ground's wet, that's definitely going to work in your favour. Make sure any spectators are upwind - they're not going to be impressed if you start showering them in molten steel! Wear good thick clothing - I was wearing jeans and hit myself once. The wire wool burnt right through them, but thankfully didn't get as far as my skin.
Spinning wire wool is potentially very dangerous... but it does look very cool
Be careful and have fun! Cake or Death?
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,638 posts
Location: Brum / Dorset / Fairy Land
3,638 posts
Location: Brum / Dorset / Fairy Land
Posted:
I spent ages finding all those
I spent ages finding all those
Geologists do it in the dirt................
GOLD Member
enthusiast
389 posts
Location: Utrecht [NL], Netherlands
enthusiast
389 posts
Location: Utrecht [NL], Netherlands
Posted:
this might be the best place to post this:
What is the best construction I can use for wire-wool-fire-poi? Anyone got some tips or a tutorial on this?
this might be the best place to post this:
What is the best construction I can use for wire-wool-fire-poi? Anyone got some tips or a tutorial on this?
"Don’t know how long, this one’s gonna take;
I could fail, but I’d rather be a fuckup, than a fake"
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,638 posts
Location: Brum / Dorset / Fairy Land
3,638 posts
Location: Brum / Dorset / Fairy Land
Posted:
YES!! my goodness. LOOK UP!!!
Just look up 5 posts and there are 7 threads all about it.
Did you even read this thread?
REALLY?
...........................I don't know why i bother.
I really, really don't.
I'm going to have a moan now. HoP really, really has changed. Grrrrr!
EDITED_BY: fluffy napalm fairy (1112216145)
YES!! my goodness. LOOK UP!!!
Just look up 5 posts and there are 7 threads all about it.
Did you even read this thread?
REALLY?
...........................I don't know why i bother.
I really, really don't.
I'm going to have a moan now. HoP really, really has changed. Grrrrr!
EDITED_BY: fluffy napalm fairy (1112216145)
Geologists do it in the dirt................
GOLD Member
enthusiast
389 posts
Location: Utrecht [NL], Netherlands
enthusiast
389 posts
Location: Utrecht [NL], Netherlands
Posted:
thnx, I couldve figured that out myself...
@fluffy fairy... you need some therapy? i study social work, i might have an address or 2 i can link you to (psychiatry that is )
thnx, I couldve figured that out myself...
@fluffy fairy... you need some therapy? i study social work, i might have an address or 2 i can link you to (psychiatry that is
) "Don’t know how long, this one’s gonna take;
I could fail, but I’d rather be a fuckup, than a fake"
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,638 posts
Location: Brum / Dorset / Fairy Land
3,638 posts
Location: Brum / Dorset / Fairy Land
Posted:
edited to take out the frustrated swearing and unpleasantness. I'll just leave the exasperated bits.
People used to use their own brains.
Or maybe that was just me.
edited to take out the frustrated swearing and unpleasantness. I'll just leave the exasperated bits.
People used to use their own brains.
Or maybe that was just me.
Geologists do it in the dirt................
GOLD Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,252 posts
Location: sheffield, United Kingdom
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,252 posts
Location: sheffield, United Kingdom
Posted:
When I saw the links you posted I did think that it was a refreshing change to the usual 'do a search...' response to newbie questions that seems to happen on HOP so much, and basically a very nice thing for you to have done.
Obviously not everyone has appreciated it, and I wanted to basically say that it was a good thing, and it would be great if more people took note of it and perhaps made similar efforts.
Written by: fluffy napalm fairy
I spent ages finding all those
When I saw the links you posted I did think that it was a refreshing change to the usual 'do a search...' response to newbie questions that seems to happen on HOP so much, and basically a very nice thing for you to have done.
Obviously not everyone has appreciated it, and I wanted to basically say that it was a good thing, and it would be great if more people took note of it and perhaps made similar efforts.
"You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it."
--MAJOR KORGO KORGAR,
"Last of The Lancers"
AFC 32
Educate your self in the Hazards of Fire Breathing STAY SAFE!
BRONZE Member
Irish
525 posts
Location: Dallas.........ish, USA
Irish
525 posts
Location: Dallas.........ish, USA
Posted:
...then you should know that a psychiatrist is the person that perscribes medications for psychological issues...your talking about a psychologist.....
and fluffy...tis ok...therapy works.....ish
Written by: anonomatos
i study social work, i might have an address or 2 i can link you to (psychiatry that is
...then you should know that a psychiatrist is the person that perscribes medications for psychological issues...your talking about a psychologist.....
and fluffy...tis ok...therapy works.....ish
Jesus saves sinners and redeems them for cash and
prizes
Co-Founder of Keepers of Light
Educate yourself about the Hazards of Fire Breathing STAY SAFE!
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,638 posts
Location: Brum / Dorset / Fairy Land
3,638 posts
Location: Brum / Dorset / Fairy Land
Posted:
Therapy? Now I'm confused
to Dave - Now I know why people don't bother. Sad but true. However I seem to have an inexhaustible supply of fluff-energy so i shall keep going................
Therapy? Now I'm confused
to Dave - Now I know why people don't bother. Sad but true. However I seem to have an inexhaustible supply of fluff-energy so i shall keep going................ Geologists do it in the dirt................
GOLD Member
enthusiast
389 posts
Location: Utrecht [NL], Netherlands
enthusiast
389 posts
Location: Utrecht [NL], Netherlands
Posted:
fuggedaboutit then...
anyways... this the construction so far (missing kevlar @ the bottom)... pretty much complete afaik for the rest...
any tips???
https://home.wanadoo.nl/rhoutappel/plaatjes/poi/wirewoolpoi.jpg
(its about 12cm broad)
EDITED_BY: anonomatos (1112293933)
fuggedaboutit then...
anyways... this the construction so far (missing kevlar @ the bottom)... pretty much complete afaik for the rest...
any tips???
https://home.wanadoo.nl/rhoutappel/plaatjes/poi/wirewoolpoi.jpg
(its about 12cm broad)
EDITED_BY: anonomatos (1112293933)
"Don’t know how long, this one’s gonna take;
I could fail, but I’d rather be a fuckup, than a fake"
BRONZE Member
Irish
525 posts
Location: Dallas.........ish, USA
Irish
525 posts
Location: Dallas.........ish, USA
Posted:
those holes are ginormous.......and by having that metal thing(looks like a paint can)...up top it limits airflow......however...using a cylindrical shape seems like something to toy with....
those holes are ginormous.......and by having that metal thing(looks like a paint can)...up top it limits airflow......however...using a cylindrical shape seems like something to toy with....
Jesus saves sinners and redeems them for cash and
prizes
Co-Founder of Keepers of Light
Educate yourself about the Hazards of Fire Breathing STAY SAFE!
GOLD Member
enthusiast
389 posts
Location: Utrecht [NL], Netherlands
enthusiast
389 posts
Location: Utrecht [NL], Netherlands
Posted:
ive tried poiing with it and it works okay, the air resistance isnt that bad... or you mean air for the burning of the wire wool?
ive tried poiing with it and it works okay, the air resistance isnt that bad... or you mean air for the burning of the wire wool?
"Don’t know how long, this one’s gonna take;
I could fail, but I’d rather be a fuckup, than a fake"
BRONZE Member
Irish
525 posts
Location: Dallas.........ish, USA
Irish
525 posts
Location: Dallas.........ish, USA
Posted:
air for the wool
the more air you get the hotter, brighter, and more sparks you get.....
air for the wool
the more air you get the hotter, brighter, and more sparks you get.....
Jesus saves sinners and redeems them for cash and
prizes
Co-Founder of Keepers of Light
Educate yourself about the Hazards of Fire Breathing STAY SAFE!
GOLD Member
enthusiast
389 posts
Location: Utrecht [NL], Netherlands
enthusiast
389 posts
Location: Utrecht [NL], Netherlands
Posted:
I see... well the paint pot is open on the top, so there should be enough air I thought... anyways, i punch some holes in the can and add some kevlar tomorrow and wirewool and swing with it... so ill see then
any other tips? the size, shape?
I see... well the paint pot is open on the top, so there should be enough air I thought... anyways, i punch some holes in the can and add some kevlar tomorrow and wirewool and swing with it... so ill see then
any other tips? the size, shape?
"Don’t know how long, this one’s gonna take;
I could fail, but I’d rather be a fuckup, than a fake"
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