Forums > Technical Discussion > new fire poi
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2 posts
2 posts
Posted:
im new to posting here, so hi everyone, and sorry for the boring content of this post!
im sure this has already been posted somewhere, and i have looked, but couldnt find it!
so......
i have just bought my first fire poi. a friend gave me brief instructions on how to 'break them in', but said to have a look on here for a better guide!
so can anyone tell me the best way to start using them, to help them last a bit longer, and so i can get the best out of them?
thanks
im new to posting here, so hi everyone, and sorry for the boring content of this post!
im sure this has already been posted somewhere, and i have looked, but couldnt find it!
so......
i have just bought my first fire poi. a friend gave me brief instructions on how to 'break them in', but said to have a look on here for a better guide!
so can anyone tell me the best way to start using them, to help them last a bit longer, and so i can get the best out of them?
thanks
SILVER Member
what goes around comes around. unless you're into stalls.
4,030 posts
Location: Bali, Australia
what goes around comes around. unless you're into stalls.
4,030 posts
Location: Bali, Australia
Posted:
Here's [Old link]
Here's [Old link]
.....Can't juggle balls but I sure as hell can juggle details....
newbie
2 posts
2 posts
Posted:
thanks
thanks
GOLD Member
addict
694 posts
Location: Leeds, United Kingdom
addict
694 posts
Location: Leeds, United Kingdom
Posted:
dip in paraffin for 10 minutes or so. then light. when finished re-dunk and leave to dry, then light next and time re-dip etc
dip in paraffin for 10 minutes or so. then light. when finished re-dunk and leave to dry, then light next and time re-dip etc
BRONZE Member
Pooh-Bah
1,872 posts
Location: Canada
Pooh-Bah
1,872 posts
Location: Canada
Posted:
Any insights as to WHY all this dogma surrounding breaking in wicks is supposed to help in some way? I've heard all sorts of things, including soaking wicks for 24 hours before a first burn, storing wicks immersed in fuel, and using specific types of fuel for a first burn.
How does this actually make a difference to the life of the wick ? I understand the bit about smouldering at the end of a burn, however that's more a characteristic of an oily fuel than of the wicking material itself. My wicks do smoulder when I burn kerosene, but don't with white gas.
What's the point of soaking new wicks for more than a few minutes ? just how much more fuel do these things absorb after the bubbles have stopped coming out of them?
Any insights as to WHY all this dogma surrounding breaking in wicks is supposed to help in some way? I've heard all sorts of things, including soaking wicks for 24 hours before a first burn, storing wicks immersed in fuel, and using specific types of fuel for a first burn.
How does this actually make a difference to the life of the wick ? I understand the bit about smouldering at the end of a burn, however that's more a characteristic of an oily fuel than of the wicking material itself. My wicks do smoulder when I burn kerosene, but don't with white gas.
What's the point of soaking new wicks for more than a few minutes ? just how much more fuel do these things absorb after the bubbles have stopped coming out of them?
BRONZE Member
old hand
1,174 posts
Location: Great Malvern [UK]
old hand
1,174 posts
Location: Great Malvern [UK]
Posted:
I reckon when they're 'smouldering' what you're actually seeing is parraffin vapour...
I reckon when they're 'smouldering' what you're actually seeing is parraffin vapour...
Cake or Death?
PLATINUM Member
bastard child of satan
1,113 posts
Location: Raanana, Israel
bastard child of satan
1,113 posts
Location: Raanana, Israel
Posted:
im not sure why, but if they're not soaked the kevlar will be eaten if they burn for long. happened to me and my friend at PLAY, we didnt soak the fire poi we made (completely out of fire rope, most comfortable fire poi i've played with), and the wicks were monkeyfists so they burned for like 7-10 mins. when we ended the burn the rope was glowing red, we washed it and it was almost completely eaten at one part. so i guess it's important.
Written by: stout
Any insights as to WHY all this dogma surrounding breaking in wicks is supposed to help in some way? I've heard all sorts of things, including soaking wicks for 24 hours before a first burn, storing wicks immersed in fuel, and using specific types of fuel for a first burn.
How does this actually make a difference to the life of the wick ? I understand the bit about smouldering at the end of a burn, however that's more a characteristic of an oily fuel than of the wicking material itself. My wicks do smoulder when I burn kerosene, but don't with white gas.
What's the point of soaking new wicks for more than a few minutes ? just how much more fuel do these things absorb after the bubbles have stopped coming out of them?
im not sure why, but if they're not soaked the kevlar will be eaten if they burn for long. happened to me and my friend at PLAY, we didnt soak the fire poi we made (completely out of fire rope, most comfortable fire poi i've played with), and the wicks were monkeyfists so they burned for like 7-10 mins. when we ended the burn the rope was glowing red, we washed it and it was almost completely eaten at one part. so i guess it's important.
GOLD Member
Member
120 posts
Location: Nr Petersfield, United Kingdom
Member
120 posts
Location: Nr Petersfield, United Kingdom
Posted:
I suspect its along the same lines as if you get a pair of jeans, and wrap them into a tight ball, and dip them in water for 30-40 seconds or so they are still dry in the centre of the ball. The longer you leave them, the more throughly soaked they are, and so there won't be dry kevlar getting roasted.
Surely if there is paraffin vapour, then said wicks would still be on fire?
Written by: PoiboyWritten by: stout
Any insights as to WHY all this dogma surrounding breaking in wicks is supposed to help in some way? I've heard all sorts of things, including soaking wicks for 24 hours before a first burn, storing wicks immersed in fuel, and using specific types of fuel for a first burn.
How does this actually make a difference to the life of the wick ? I understand the bit about smouldering at the end of a burn, however that's more a characteristic of an oily fuel than of the wicking material itself. My wicks do smoulder when I burn kerosene, but don't with white gas.
What's the point of soaking new wicks for more than a few minutes ? just how much more fuel do these things absorb after the bubbles have stopped coming out of them?
im not sure why, but if they're not soaked the kevlar will be eaten if they burn for long. happened to me and my friend at PLAY, we didnt soak the fire poi we made (completely out of fire rope, most comfortable fire poi i've played with), and the wicks were monkeyfists so they burned for like 7-10 mins. when we ended the burn the rope was glowing red, we washed it and it was almost completely eaten at one part. so i guess it's important.
I suspect its along the same lines as if you get a pair of jeans, and wrap them into a tight ball, and dip them in water for 30-40 seconds or so they are still dry in the centre of the ball. The longer you leave them, the more throughly soaked they are, and so there won't be dry kevlar getting roasted.
Written by: *HyperLight
I reckon when they're 'smouldering' what you're actually seeing is parraffin vapour...
Surely if there is paraffin vapour, then said wicks would still be on fire?
BRONZE Member
Pooh-Bah
1,872 posts
Location: Canada
Pooh-Bah
1,872 posts
Location: Canada
Posted:
But surely if you leave your wicks immersed until the bubbles stop then your wicks are saturated right through. Mine sure are, I've even probed in amongst the folds of my cathedrals just to see.
The reason I'm curious about this is because I burn with white gas and at the end of a burn my wicks are bone dry ,which means that every time I light up, I'm effectively spinning with new wicks
But surely if you leave your wicks immersed until the bubbles stop then your wicks are saturated right through. Mine sure are, I've even probed in amongst the folds of my cathedrals just to see.
The reason I'm curious about this is because I burn with white gas and at the end of a burn my wicks are bone dry ,which means that every time I light up, I'm effectively spinning with new wicks
Good Ol' Yarn For Hair
422 posts
Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
422 posts
Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
Posted:
Stout, have you ever seen ballerinas break in new shoes? You want to talk weird new-toy dogma, you need to watch them go to town on new point shoes. I watched three ballerinas "break in" new shoes by smashing them on the stage, rubbing powder all over them, hitting them with a hammer, taking a lighter to them, dropping them. When asked what they were doing, they all said they had to do these steps in a particular order to properly ready the shoes.
Stout, have you ever seen ballerinas break in new shoes? You want to talk weird new-toy dogma, you need to watch them go to town on new point shoes. I watched three ballerinas "break in" new shoes by smashing them on the stage, rubbing powder all over them, hitting them with a hammer, taking a lighter to them, dropping them. When asked what they were doing, they all said they had to do these steps in a particular order to properly ready the shoes.
"So long and thanks for all the fish."
GOLD Member
Member
120 posts
Location: Nr Petersfield, United Kingdom
Member
120 posts
Location: Nr Petersfield, United Kingdom
Posted:
Never used white gas so wouldn't know...I assume that if ALL the fuel is gone, it can't smoulder either, so there isn't a problem.
Using paraffin, the wicks are still slightly fueled when they go out, so there is the potential for smouldering, which I can see would damage the wicks.
So it all seems logical to me. I might be talking crap though...you never know.
Never used white gas so wouldn't know...I assume that if ALL the fuel is gone, it can't smoulder either, so there isn't a problem.
Using paraffin, the wicks are still slightly fueled when they go out, so there is the potential for smouldering, which I can see would damage the wicks.
So it all seems logical to me. I might be talking crap though...you never know.
SILVER Member
what goes around comes around. unless you're into stalls.
4,030 posts
Location: Bali, Australia
what goes around comes around. unless you're into stalls.
4,030 posts
Location: Bali, Australia
Posted:
AHA finally found [Old link] that I started ages ago.. knew it was here somewhere.. dunno why it didn't come up in a search called new wicks.. or maybe it did but on page million or something...
Enjoy yr spinning!
Written by: thedykeone
im sure this has already been posted somewhere, and i have looked, but couldnt find it!
AHA finally found [Old link] that I started ages ago.. knew it was here somewhere.. dunno why it didn't come up in a search called new wicks.. or maybe it did but on page million or something...
Enjoy yr spinning!
.....Can't juggle balls but I sure as hell can juggle details....
GOLD Member
Member
120 posts
Location: Nr Petersfield, United Kingdom
Member
120 posts
Location: Nr Petersfield, United Kingdom
Posted:
Right, I've come back to this thread having experimented with the wicks on a brand new
twirly staff of mine. I dunked the end in the paraffin and bubbles came, and went. However, looking back about 15-20 minutes later, bubbles were still coming out, but they were very slow. I came back to the wick about half an hour after that and shook it, and lots more bubles appeared (most of which were probably stuck under the wick, but there were more than you would thing would be stuck there).
Which, I suppose, means that the wick is still taking up paraffin, albeit in small amounts, almost an hour after dunking. I would continue the test for longer (I will do another test on my new cathedral fire poi) but I want to set fire to my staff sometime today and the other end still needs to soak.
so I will go and soak it now
Right, I've come back to this thread having experimented with the wicks on a brand new
twirly staff of mine. I dunked the end in the paraffin and bubbles came, and went. However, looking back about 15-20 minutes later, bubbles were still coming out, but they were very slow. I came back to the wick about half an hour after that and shook it, and lots more bubles appeared (most of which were probably stuck under the wick, but there were more than you would thing would be stuck there).Which, I suppose, means that the wick is still taking up paraffin, albeit in small amounts, almost an hour after dunking. I would continue the test for longer (I will do another test on my new cathedral fire poi) but I want to set fire to my staff sometime today and the other end still needs to soak.
so I will go and soak it now
GOLD Member
Pirate Pixie Crew Captain
8,428 posts
Location: Wales
Pirate Pixie Crew Captain
8,428 posts
Location: Wales
Posted:
What is your staff made of? Does it have wooden dowels in the ends that could be soaking up parafin too?
What is your staff made of? Does it have wooden dowels in the ends that could be soaking up parafin too?
Feed me Chocolate!!! Feed me NOW!
GOLD Member
Member
120 posts
Location: Nr Petersfield, United Kingdom
Member
120 posts
Location: Nr Petersfield, United Kingdom
Posted:
My staff is the HoP fire twirly stick, not the pixie stick but the other short one. While I'm sure it must have dowel to prevent the heat transfer, the ends are metal-capped and no dowel is visible... I suspect that the answer to your question, in terms of fuel soakage, is no
My staff is the HoP fire twirly stick, not the pixie stick but the other short one. While I'm sure it must have dowel to prevent the heat transfer, the ends are metal-capped and no dowel is visible... I suspect that the answer to your question, in terms of fuel soakage, is no
BRONZE Member
member
31 posts
Location: Belfast, Northern ireland
member
31 posts
Location: Belfast, Northern ireland
Posted:
When i bought my first fire poi set the instructions with them said to soak them in fuel for twenty four hours. I'm impatient so i gave them half an hour in parafin and started to burn them immediatly. I've been burning them regularly for about a month now and i haven't had any problems with the wick.
Am i just lucky?
When i bought my first fire poi set the instructions with them said to soak them in fuel for twenty four hours. I'm impatient so i gave them half an hour in parafin and started to burn them immediatly. I've been burning them regularly for about a month now and i haven't had any problems with the wick.
Am i just lucky?
And as the skin rips off i cherish the revolting thought That even if i quit There's not a chance in hell i'd stop- The Dresden Dolls
The truth no matter who it hurts - Transmetropolitan by Warren Ellis
BRONZE Member
old hand
1,174 posts
Location: Great Malvern [UK]
old hand
1,174 posts
Location: Great Malvern [UK]
Posted:
I'd say no... I think most of the reason people suggest soaking them for a long time is to give them a chance to soak up more fuel. Newer wicks won't absorb as much
I'd say no... I think most of the reason people suggest soaking them for a long time is to give them a chance to soak up more fuel. Newer wicks won't absorb as much
Cake or Death?
BRONZE Member
member
31 posts
Location: Belfast, Northern ireland
member
31 posts
Location: Belfast, Northern ireland
Posted:
No worries then.
No worries then.
And as the skin rips off i cherish the revolting thought That even if i quit There's not a chance in hell i'd stop- The Dresden Dolls
The truth no matter who it hurts - Transmetropolitan by Warren Ellis
BRONZE Member
newbie
24 posts
Location: Kelowna, B.C., Canada
newbie
24 posts
Location: Kelowna, B.C., Canada
Posted:
So for the first soak before you light 'em up, does it matter what fuel you use?
Does it have to be kero, or can you use white gas or lamp oil?
So for the first soak before you light 'em up, does it matter what fuel you use?
Does it have to be kero, or can you use white gas or lamp oil?
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