Thread: Flash Pots and Theatrics

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Does anyone on here have experience using flash pots or other stage pyro systems? I had a crazy idea that would make a great haunt, based on an older David Copperfield illusion seen here. I'd like to build a similar "fire damaged" house (without the hinged walls) that I can weave a story around.

My basic idea so far was to use some small spotlights to display it (will tell a small story in near dark, then introduce the house and have a friend remotely turn the lights on), put a window in with a pneumatic ghoul (again, friend will trigger), some sound effects from the inside, and finish off with a few pyrotechnic blasts and the lights dying.

I can figure out how to build most of this (the building will be the cheapest wood I can get, painted to look burned, pop up ghoul is easy, and sound effects are cake), but I've never before used pyro blasts, and I want to be very safe with them. Plus, they're on the spendy side ($60+ for each pot, plus the flash powder, etc), so any advice is very welcome.

I think that with a good story, I can make this show last ~30 minutes at the party, and it'd be a great talking point. I'll be sure to share back everything I do with it, and hopefully inspire someone else as well!

Originally Posted by Dr. Sketch

Does anyone on here have experience using flash pots or other stage pyro systems? I had a crazy idea that would make a great haunt, based on an older David Copperfield illusion seen here. I'd like to build a similar "fire damaged" house (without the hinged walls) that I can weave a story around.

My basic idea so far was to use some small spotlights to display it (will tell a small story in near dark, then introduce the house and have a friend remotely turn the lights on), put a window in with a pneumatic ghoul (again, friend will trigger), some sound effects from the inside, and finish off with a few pyrotechnic blasts and the lights dying.

I can figure out how to build most of this (the building will be the cheapest wood I can get, painted to look burned, pop up ghoul is easy, and sound effects are cake), but I've never before used pyro blasts, and I want to be very safe with them. Plus, they're on the spendy side ($60+ for each pot, plus the flash powder, etc), so any advice is very welcome.

I think that with a good story, I can make this show last ~30 minutes at the party, and it'd be a great talking point. I'll be sure to share back everything I do with it, and hopefully inspire someone else as well!

I have a method for making simple, inexpensive flash pots that I have used successfully for many years without incident ... I would be glad to show you how but I`m somewhat reluctant to post the instructions publicly due to liability. If used improperly they could be very dangerous and I don`t want to be responsible for someone being injured or killed.

Would you be willing to share in private (PM or e-mail)? I promise it won't go past me.

Any safety tips are especially welcome; I'll be setting these off next to (and on top of) a wooden structure, and I'd like to not burn it for real.

I'm interested in something like this too.

care to share with me also

Thanks,
Kevin

I've worked with homemade flashpots also. It was almost 15 years ago. It's a very nice effect, but you must be extra precautious. We had multiple saftely checkpoints in our reloading process, but my dad neglected to disconnect the power when reloading the charge and the pot went off with his hand on top of it. He burned the entire palm of his hand very badly.

Be safe.

-DGM

Originally Posted by dadgonemad

I've worked with homemade flashpots also. It was almost 15 years ago. It's a very nice effect, but you must be extra precautious. We had multiple saftely checkpoints in our reloading process, but my dad neglected to disconnect the power when reloading the charge and the pot went off with his hand on top of it. He burned the entire palm of his hand very badly.

Be safe.

-DGM

You are exactly right!!
The homemade flash pots can be extremely dangerous if you`re not careful.
Especially if you have a lot of activity going on in your haunt and you get in a hurry and forget about safety.
That`s why I highly recommend using a spring loaded "momentary switch" which is normally open. That way you know the switch goes back to open when you take your finger off of it. It`s still a good idea to disconnect the power though when reloading. You can`t be too careful.

Im gonna be using flames this year so I dont have to reload.

Well, I don't want to open myself or FeelNecro to any liability, so I'm not going to share his method, but I will share a safer method that I had previously come up with. I'll skip the things you can find online (how to make flash powder, building a pot, etc).

A quick and dirty way to set off the flash powder is to use a model rocket launcher. When electricity flows through it, the tip sparks and burns like a match. Hook this under your powder, wire it to a switch, and finish the circuit with a battery pack running 4 AAs. Now, when you open the switch, the small amount of electricity will be enough to spark the rocket launcher, and light your powder.

The downside is (of course) the batteries will eventually need to be changed, and the rocket launcher will have to be replaced every time you use it.

Even this set up is only "quasi" safe, as flash powder can still cause a lot of damage if used incorrectly. Be careful, test frequently, and always keep a fire extinguisher around (I keep one in the kitchen to tame my cooking as well).