Making Your Own Fire Torches
This guide is courtesy of the fine folks at Androgen Fire Art.
We also sell hand welded fire eating and fire breathing torches that are a bit different from the ones below.
Description
Fire torches consist of two short sections of aluminium piping, each with kevlar wicking wrapped around one end. These ends are then dipped in flammable liquid and set alight. Torches may be swung around the body, spun in the fingers, thrown and much more. The similarity between the movements between poi and torches make torches popular as a safer method of learning the general poi movements.
Tips for Fire Torches
One of the largest problems with fire torches is the tendency for them to fly out of the hand during fast, spinning movements. This can be quite dangerous, especially if the sticks are alight. To prevent this, various sizes of rubber stoppers can be placed on the end of the torch. Starting with larger stoppers will help you keep hold of the fire torch while you are learning. Only light up once fairly confident you won't hit yourself, or accidentally throw the torch.
Ingredients for Fire Torches (x2)
2 x 40cm aluminium piping (20mm diam x 1.6mm thick)
2 x 5.5cm wooden dowel (16mm diam)
4 x 25mm button head screws
2 x Kevlar Wicking (5cm wide x 33cm long x 3mm thick)
2 x rubber stoppers (to fit 20mm diam piping)
Some strong glue
Some paper masking tape
Some heat proof, non-flammable sealant.
- We use Selleys Auto Fix Knead It
Drilling and Assembly
Step 1
Drill holes through one side of the aluminium piping 2.5cm and 5 cm from the end (end "A"). These holes should be big enough for the screws to easily fit through. Make lines level with the holes on the piping so that you can find them again later.
Step 2
Put some glue inside the piping, then slide the dowel inside the piping until it is 5mm sunken in on end "A". Allow the glue to dry.
Step 3
Tape one end of the kevlar wicking to the piping with the paper tape, so that the end of the kevlar wick will just cover the drilled holes. The side of the kevlar wicking should start about 10mm down from end "A". Wrap the kevlar wick tightly around the piping. Tape the other end of the kevlar down when done.
Step 4
Using the lines marked earlier, mark dots on the kevlar where the holes in the aluminium should be. Make sure that the kevlar end will be held in place by the screws, if not, adjust the length of the kevlar wicking. Note: Less kevlar will give a smaller flame which can be better for beginners.
Step 5
Carefully drill through the kevlar using a reasonably fine drill bit. Do this slowly to avoid the kevlar catching on the drill bit. If the kevlar does catch, pull the drill out and try again (this will get easier with practice). When you feell the drill bit fit into the hole and touch the wood, stop drilling.
Step 6
Screw the button head screws into the holes in the kevlar by hand. Make these as tight as you can. The screw should have passed through about 1.5cm from each end of the kevlar. This will hold the kevlar tight in place.
Step 7
Remove the tape on the outside of the kevlar. Don't worry about the tape on the inside ... it will burn off.
Step 8
Seal end "A" entirely with the sealant.
Step 9
Make a handle you feel comfortable with, not reaching more then half way up the torch, and leaving enough space at end "B" to fit the stopper on.
Step 10
Fit the rubber stopper onto the end and glue it in place.
Now just do it again for the second fire torch and you're done!
