RichardC Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 Has anyone had any success with making a Victorian style photographer's flash - as in Half a Sixpence.Any advice/ideas would be welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulears Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 old fashioned brown parcel tape - the stuff you have to lick - a piece of thin wire - one strand of mic cable braid, for instance. Half of a standard theatrical flash contents. cut a strip of the tape about an inch long, and cut the strand of wire just a bit longer. 'Twiddle' the ends, and make a blob of solder on the little clump of cable. Wet the edge of the paper, leaving the wire across the middle. Cover the wire with the flash powder, and then fold the paper over, trapping the powder. Araldite a couple of small croc clips into the flash housing - I used one of those small disposable silver plates they use for desert at parties. Two wires to a 9v battery with a button on the back of the flash handle (bit of old broomstick! The paper does burn, and will land on the floor, but stays pretty intact, and as it's small, it goes out quickly. Nobody was near to the thing I made, so I left the front open. I guess I could have made some sort of shield, but it didn't seem to need it. More puff of smoke than a flash, but the noise is good too. It was pretty reliable, I think failing just once in 14 shows/rehearsals. I guess we shouldn't be doing this nowadays really - but I'd do it again. I suppose you could also buy some magicians flash paper and hide a cheap lighter in the housing and use that to fire the flash paper? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shez Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 Glow plugs, of the type used in RC model engines, are a useful ignition device. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 Proper units are available to hire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jivemaster Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 Viking Fireworks have a very small, paper flash pot that does the job with wire ends so switch and PP3 in a small handled container. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitlane Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 Electric Igniters / Electric Matches are about a quid each, less if bought in bulk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jivemaster Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 Stage Flash Pots Micro 18mm Elec £3.50, 1.4G Contact Details:- 01843 823545 Viking Fireworks, They send things by proper courier if needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandall Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 I guess we shouldn't be doing this nowadays Certainly not! We used to fire pyros off saturable-reactor dimmers, but these days would be considered illegal, immoral & probably fattening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jivemaster Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 I used to have a reel of lead wire that was used across the mains to fire anything.It's easier and probably cheaper, and certainly easier to insure if you use the premade professional effect pot these days. Remember that pyros make smoke, you need to sort out the smoke and the alarm system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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