Forums > Technical Discussion > Home made fire staff, aluminum problem
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Location: Kiwi land sounds great!
I made a fire long staff using aluminum electrical piping from Home Depot, the dimensions were 19.05 mm diam x 1.6 mm. It's quite heavy as well. But recently, actually almost right after I made it, it showed signs of bending, the ends going down. I'm not sure if this was just the pipe, although I don't remember noticing it, or what it was. Any ideas, advice?
Thanks!
EDITED_BY: Masked52 (1181784576)
Fire eaters are the most conceited people. Especially when they're on fire. "Help me, save me, put me out, me, me, me..."
-Paolo the Fire Eater
still can't believe it's not butter
6,978 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia
heat makes metal more malleable.
don't set it on fire.
fire is hot.
Laugh Often, Smile Much, Post lolcats Always
83 posts
Location: Kiwi land sounds great!
I plugged the ends, so you're saying it's just natural from burning, and shouldn't affect my spinning?
Fire eaters are the most conceited people. Especially when they're on fire. "Help me, save me, put me out, me, me, me..."
-Paolo the Fire Eater
old hand
1,174 posts
Location: Great Malvern [UK]
Written by: Masked52
19.05 m diam x 1.6 mm.
19.05 metres diameter by 1.6mm long? I'm not surprised it's bending!
Maybe that should be 19.05mm diameter by 1.6m long? How thick are the walls of the pipe? Aluminium is a relatively soft metal (some grades of it are softer than others too) and as people have already said, heating it will make it softer still.
I'm not much of a staff spinner, but I do know that trying to spin a bent staff is considerably more difficult than a straight one. I'd suggest trying again with a steel tube, thicker aluminium, or a harder grade of aluminium - good luck!
Cake or Death?
compfuzzled
1,182 posts
Location: hastings, England (UK)
or have a wood core which will give the staff more strength
"the geeks have got you" - Gayle
still can't believe it's not butter
6,978 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia
^^ that's usually a great idea, however this may make an already havey staff unwieldy.
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compfuzzled
1,182 posts
Location: hastings, England (UK)
ahhh you'll get used to the weight a week or two down the line you wont notice
"the geeks have got you" - Gayle
journeyman
73 posts
Location: Wisconsin, USA
I would suggest an all wood staff with copper sheathing where the wicks will be, copper or aluminum. I have worked with copper though and it handles heat well, i.e. not bending.
"Runs with Scissors"
still can't believe it's not butter
6,978 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia
simta, in my experience, the best situation is when you craft to match your skill set, not the other way 'round.
it will make a huge difference to rely on a range of toys that will be flexible enough to allow you to attempt the biggest range of moves.
Don't limit yourself needlessly.
Laugh Often, Smile Much, Post lolcats Always
HoP mage and keeper of the fireballs
1,965 posts
Location: Palmerston North, New Zealand
quick question M52 is the entire staff bending into a U shape or is it crushing at the ends into a mis-shaped oval
If it is bending into a U then staighten it and give it a wood core
If the ends are crushing then stop droping it
May my balls of fire set your balls on fire 
83 posts
Location: Kiwi land sounds great!
Written by: dizzypheonix
quick question M52 is the entire staff bending into a U shape or is it crushing at the ends into a mis-shaped oval
If it is bending into a U then staighten it and give it a wood core
If the ends are crushing then stop droping it
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Fire eaters are the most conceited people. Especially when they're on fire. "Help me, save me, put me out, me, me, me..."
-Paolo the Fire Eater
83 posts
Location: Kiwi land sounds great!
Written by: Rellizate
Too heavy at the ends. Wodden dowl it?
I only plugged the very ends with dowels. So that could indeed be the problem. If I could figure out how to remove the silicone attached dowels I would, but it looks like my best bet is to make a new staff. Is removing burnt wick and reapplying it alright for the wick?
Fire eaters are the most conceited people. Especially when they're on fire. "Help me, save me, put me out, me, me, me..."
-Paolo the Fire Eater
old hand
1,174 posts
Location: Great Malvern [UK]
Written by: Masked52
If I could figure out how to remove the silicone attached dowels I would
1) screw a screw into the dowel
2) clamp the end of the screw in a vice or get someone strong to hold it with some pliers
3) pull like an ox on the staff
4) marvel at your dowel-less staff
Cake or Death?
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