co2 cannons

[DSA]

I recently wondered about using pyros at school for some of our shows, in particular the infamous 'rock concert'.

 

However due to H and S etc etc. I dismissed pyro.

 

However last week I stumbled across the le maitre co2 confetti cannon on their site, and wondered if anyone had used one???

 

a) are they expensive?

b) is the co2 cartridge reuseable ?(because theyre quite expensive!)

c) is it a good effect?

d) are they easy to use?

 

Thanks

David

[Tom]

CO2 Cannons are great and have far less H+S implications. As well as Le Maitre our resident Pyro specialist Lincoln of Just Effects will also be happy to help.

 

a) are they expensive?

I think you can hire them - not sure on costings.

 

b) is the co2 cartridge reuseable ?(because theyre quite expensive!)

No - it's a one time thing

 

c) is it a good effect?

Yes - you wont get a bang and a flash but you can put a great variety of things in them. Glitter or streamers with a suitable lighting effect would look good.

 

d) are they easy to use?

Very. They can triggered manually by pulling a trigger or you can get electric "actuators" which can be rigged to a non-dim or to a spare dimmer and fired from your lighting desk.

[chris512]

just a small comment (perhaps slightly o/t) but I thought it was common practice not to patch any sort of pyros (co2 included) into a lighting desk in case you accidently fire them? shouldn't they be fired from their own pod launcher system with key etc for extra safety? please correct me if I'm wrong!

[gareth]

If you're triggering pyros remotely (whatever the source) there should be someone near to the effect, with direct line of sight of the firing area, who has a "deadman's handle" device. As long as they can see it's safe, they hold the button down and the effect will fire. If they are in any doubt they release the button and the effect won't fire, regardless of any triggers sent.

 

But ideally pyro should be fired from the side of stage, by someone who can clearly see the effect and its surrounding area and who is experienced enough to make the judgement call as to whether or not to fire.

[chris512]

oh ok just thought id check, thanx for that!

[Brian]

But ideally pyro should be fired from the side of stage, by someone who can clearly see the effect and its surrounding area and who is experienced enough to make the judgement call as to whether or not to fire.

One of the things Lincoln recommends on his pyro training course is that the person firing the pyro should be as close to the effect as safely possible. The reason - it gives the cast confidence; if you, as the person pushing the button, are not prepared to be nearby then why should they trust you.

[Tom]

I agree that Pyro's should only be fired in the manner described.

I'm note sure that CO2 canons though require such stringent control; they are much safer. However, I'm willing to be corrected.

[Brian]

I agree that Pyro's should only be fired in the manner described. 

I'm note sure that CO2 canons though require such stringent control; they are much safer.  However, I'm willing to be corrected.

Whilst a CO2 cannon does not produce any 'flame', they are still a dangerous piece of kit. First you have a gas under high pressure, then you are 'firing' objects out of a 'muzzle'. It's vital that it is treated with the same care as a pyro, you might not burn anyone but you could still blind them. All confetti used must be new (never sweep the floor to save money) and you should make sure no foreign object could get in with it.

[Dick The Cabin Boy]

Have to agree with that one

 

make sure no foreign object could get in with it

 

We had an incident over the summer where someone had put a used CO2 bulb into the cannon...for safe keeping or something equally as stupid...and then when they loaded the thing the next day didn't check for any foreign types.

 

It was only the hand held version of the le maitre cannon but it chipped a nice little hole in the ceiling which must be 30 metres higher.

 

Incidentally the guy who was trusted to fire it said that he thought he could hear something rattling inside but figured it would be ok

[Brian]

Thanks for that post Dick. Somehow real life stories, where the reader goes 'f*** that was close', get the message across point much better.

[ace]

I have come across pressurised confetti cannons a few times! They are great fun..

 

On a recent show I have worked on the final climax scene was based upon the effect of a very large balloon exploding and confetti going everywhere. This was done using a, wh home made confetti cannonich was bassically a steel pipe with a plate welded over each and and a couple of valves in the side. Before the show the performer simply hooked up a compresser to the 'cylinder' and pressurised it. from one of the valves was a pipe to about an inch wide tube, which they rammed all sorts of streamers and confetti into. When the effect was required then popped the balloon, and hit the valve and it looked amazing!

 

Although I assume that they knew what they were doing and had all of the paper work in order. I don;t know how easy it would be for you to fabricate something like this or even how to fill in the risk assessment if you are not a pro!

 

One other thing to note, I hope you are friendly with the cleaners of your venue! It is possible to create a horendous mess from your confetti cannons.

[Brian]

...a home made confetti cannon which was basically a steel pipe with a plate welded over each and and a couple of valves in the side. Before the show the performer simply hooked up a compresser to the 'cylinder' and pressurised it.

And I bet it had a test certificate, right?

[wilf]

...a home made confetti cannon which was basically a steel pipe with a plate welded over each and and a couple of valves in the side. Before the show the performer simply hooked up a compresser to the 'cylinder' and pressurised it.

And I bet it had a test certificate, right?

This does not nesseserely need a test certificate, as the chamber can be classed as a manifold in this application. :D

[ace]

And I bet it had a test certificate, right?

 

Who knows! I was only the followspot operator! :D

 

They were a repretable(sp!) company so I would imagine that all of the paperwork was in order! There was also a fire-check visit due to other pyrotechnics being used and they seemed happy with all of the equipment and paperwork...

 

Still I know some of these guys can be the worst so I will say no more!

 

PS - I think they were actually welders by trade who just did the performance as a second business! :D

[wycome5]

Does anyone know an electric confetti launcher that can be triggered from offstage (non-pyro) not made by Le Maitre as theirs is too expensive for the effect we want (about 10 being launched from all around the stage at once).