Great to see a tutorial that includes SAFETY TIPS! As fire performers we need to perpetuate our ART in a RESPONSIBLE manner so we can continue to do what we love in as many venues as possible. One additional tip if you ever revise - Sparkle fire creates a LOT of Moop. Thanks for the video!
Thank you so much my brother, our fire club has a gig next week (where a sparkle spin has been requested) for a party and you have answered all my questions. Cheers mate.
This is a great video. I've only done this once and had a friend wrap a few layers of steel wool around the poi and tied wire around it so when the sparks were done the poi was still burning. I like a lot of the information you had here and especially tips on how to light it:)
Best Poi Tutorial, I've seen yet. Thanks for posting this Tamedfire. I didn't even know Sparkle Poi existed before this and I'm sooooo definitely going to have to upgrade from Fire Poi to these shortly :D
This is an amazing tutorial. I don't understand ow this doesn't have more views. I'm going to perform this for my 4th of July party. I'm going to try and keep it a secret till then but after the party I will share this video with anyone who wants to know how it worked. You not only explain how to make it, but how it works, how to perform and the safety of it. You have great video making skills (clear, easy to understand, sharing personal stories, humor) and I look forward to sharing your channel
Great delivery and explanation. It reminds me of how much I love fire. Your camera presence is exceptional, enjoyable, easy to follow. You must be wonderful to experience when you are performing.
Meant to add, more people should go over safety precaution with fire tools! It seems dangerous for novice. I'd never teach a beginner in my fire class this, so thanks for taking the time to be responsible in fire usage! I have respect for anyone who does that in their vids. Also no sparkle in heavy wooded/forest areas, near homes, pets, children, & keep audience at safe distance & always have someone with water & extinguisher on safety on side of performance area (for any poi!)
Super tutorial! I learned a bunch. As someone just getting into fire spinning, I appreciate the warnings you give based on your experience. What shoes to wear, what clothes to wear, how to start the spin, and how much space is needed.
Thanks for sharing your info- I have always used chicken wire cages stuffed with steel wool off a roll, but I always have varied results. Sparkles are totally amazing at times but I get a short effect followed by molten rocks forming at other times. I will definitely give this a go!!
I'm a fire artist not a videographer;-p I appreciate the tip though:-) I noticed the same thing after this videos production. Am I doing better on the recent tutorial vids?
I just got into steel wool photography and live to try it in different ways and yes I did to the to handed way. I like way way you do it. I just use a whisk and a rope and 000 steel wool. I see that people use a batterie to light it, but that doesn't work for me so I use a lighter and yes I do everything myself and settings the camera is a challenge itself, but it's fun. Now I will try it your way.
Great video. No super hero stuff, just a nice guy giving the facts on having fun and staying safe. Respect to you. Can you show a link where you got your poi handles/chains from please. You are now added to my favs and subscribed to you. Thank you for posting.
This guy is awesome haha! And the video is awesome! I plan on starting poi and adding this to my shows when I move to the beach in several months. Thanks guy :D
Wow this is a great vid dude! Thanks for showing the "how to!" Who came up with this idea of sparkle poi? Back in da day we'd have never thought of this. And good going over safety precaution.
The steel wool that I purchase has a spiral design when looking at it from the top (where I poke the needle nose pliers into it in the video). By having the chain threaded through the middle of this spiral it ensures that the steel wool will burn from the outside of the spiral to the center holding the steel wool pads on as long as possible. Working with steel wool that has a different design may be why it is flying off so soon. Try some online stores and purchase there. Hope this helps!
Hey, thanks for the great tutorial, I made my own ones and they look great, I'm trying to work out methods of making it last longer, like a layer of paraphin soaked muslin in the middle so it goes sparkle, fire, sparkle. Want to experiment with adding other oxides to change the colour :) I had 2 successful attempts at using them, third time not so lucky, brushed the back of my hand and took the top layer of skin off like a light sabre
I've tried using the steel wool that comes with soap on it, and it acted as a wax or fire retardant, so the burn lasted twice as long compared to straight steel wool. It was twice as hard to light on fire though.
Thank you. I tend to stick to the basics. I don't think that you are "limited" by any means though. It is very dangerous and tends to be a "fire stunt" so staying away from complex movements lowers the odds of error. You don't want to mess up with these and plane control is super important. Personally, I just enjoy watching a giant shower of sparks. If I want to see other movements I stick to the fire;-) This is the only prop that has given me a third degree burn so be super safe!!
First off great clip, excellent and thorough tutorial doood 👍 In regard to making it last longer, could you string three or four ' buns on chains ' to the quick link? As in three chains with three bundles of steel wool on each poi? It would be heavier but you would get three times the burn! Huge showers of sparks.
I just came across your video after finding out about using steel wool for that effect, and now I must try it thanks to your helpful video. One question I had though is, how long does it last with steel wool?
I would say try both methods and experiment. You may get different results. I personally have only and always used the three bun method. I recently developed charcoal poi cages and have been wanting to stick and entire package (12 buns/24 total) inside the cages and spin them. From my experience, I can maintain a large shower of sparks for about 10-15 seconds with the three bun method. After that they die down and I smack them on the ground for some last bursts of excitement. I hope this helps.
If you dip the sparkle poi into a camp fire sorta thing (i.e. a barrel) would it have the same effect as the blowtorch, just because it would light the entire thing unlike the lighter. which i think was the point you were trying to make when you said to use the blowtorch
So is there any benefit to having three bundles of steel wool going at once? Is it just that it burns longer or does having three throw off more sparks? I wanted to do some long exposure photography with the egg whisk method, but if there's an upside to doing three at once, I'll give your method a try.
I have not used the whisk method so I would not be able to give you a comparative benefit. I think every method is worth a try though for the results you seek.
From the bundles you made for the video how long would the spray fire last? I have seen advertisements showing various colors. How would you get the different colors? (How would you know what color would burn?)
Really nice one! Can I aplly this into a fire staff so it turns into a sparkle staff? If this wouldn't work in a staff, how could I make a fire sparkling staff? Hope u can answer me.
What's your advice for steel wool fire staff? ... Is it a bad idea for me to just attach on top of the wick I've got on/ add a small amount wrapped around?
Rather than the chain I have seen metal "balloon whisk" (hand whisk used for beating eggs etc.) and the wire wool stuffed inside, have you tried that? If so or anyone else how does that work in comparison? Thanks
Have you noticed some steel wool doesn't ignite? Two years ago I had a blast doing this and then last year I bought the same name brand and grade and it would not ignite. It almost felt like there was a coating on the steel wool. Have they caught on to our fiery good times?
I've done the chicken wire sphere. It burns up too quickly. And leaves a mass of molten steel to contend with. As well as repairs needing to be made to the sphere after every use.
Thank you so much for this tutorial! I've been practicing with LED Poi's and wanted to move up to fire-based poi and it seems this is my best bet seeing the effects are fantastic. Also, do you know of any US laws that may classify this practice as illegal?
Hello! Having followed this tutorial, I managed to make some SWPoi, and they work quite well. However, I'm having trouble making them last longer than a minute. Any advice?
Thank you. The chain can hold my weight and I am 150 lbs. It is not 11 - 19 pound test. It is non welded though, shouldn't make a difference for the effect. Do not use 11 - 19 pound test chain. Fire failure will ensue.
Hey man good tutorial really helped, I used this last night :) but I noticed it doesn't give a very long burn time and I only got 30seconds max, is there any way to get a longer burn time? I just couldn't get enough of it! Lol
+Haro Wanderlust If you do not have a way of knowing the size/grade of steel wool you have, test different grades until you find the best result. The size affects the effect. Good luck!
zinc plated quicklinks work too... that is just corrosion prevention differences, both are equally way stronger than is required for poi and are safe when closed tight with a set of pliers.
someone else games no, do not try that. The copper will likely melt/ oxidize and weaken dramatically during your spinning and could easily end in disaster.
@ForgottenRotten Your right Drew. It would of been the tutorial on how to throw a .22 caliber pistola shell at a curb to effectively hit random targets but we both already know how to do that. Have fun burning things my friend;-)
Great to see a tutorial that includes SAFETY TIPS! As fire performers we need to perpetuate our ART in a RESPONSIBLE manner so we can continue to do what we love in as many venues as possible. One additional tip if you ever revise - Sparkle fire creates a LOT of Moop. Thanks for the video!
Finally, a how-to video on the cage creation is what ive been searching for lol.
Gotta say I'm really impressed with this video, glad you went in detail about aspects like what wool to use and everything
Thank you so much my brother, our fire club has a gig next week (where a sparkle spin has been requested) for a party and you have answered all my questions.
Cheers mate.
Glad we could help!
This is a great video. I've only done this once and had a friend wrap a few layers of steel wool around the poi and tied wire around it so when the sparks were done the poi was still burning. I like a lot of the information you had here and especially tips on how to light it:)
Best Poi Tutorial, I've seen yet. Thanks for posting this Tamedfire. I didn't even know Sparkle Poi existed before this and I'm sooooo definitely going to have to upgrade from Fire Poi to these shortly :D
I did a wedding once.....the wind picked up and a bunch of sparks started going into the audience. They just started cheering louder...lol.
This is an amazing tutorial. I don't understand ow this doesn't have more views. I'm going to perform this for my 4th of July party. I'm going to try and keep it a secret till then but after the party I will share this video with anyone who wants to know how it worked. You not only explain how to make it, but how it works, how to perform and the safety of it. You have great video making skills (clear, easy to understand, sharing personal stories, humor) and I look forward to sharing your channel
Great delivery and explanation. It reminds me of how much I love fire.
Your camera presence is exceptional, enjoyable, easy to follow.
You must be wonderful to experience when you are performing.
Thank you!:-)
Meant to add, more people should go over safety precaution with fire tools! It seems dangerous for novice. I'd never teach a beginner in my fire class this, so thanks for taking the time to be responsible in fire usage! I have respect for anyone who does that in their vids. Also no sparkle in heavy wooded/forest areas, near homes, pets, children, & keep audience at safe distance & always have someone with water & extinguisher on safety on side of performance area (for any poi!)
You and I have the same hat, nice. Thanks for the info, huuuge help. Hopefully I'll get a chance to try this out before the summers over
Thanks for the thorough video! Great tips to kick the show up a notch.
Super tutorial! I learned a bunch. As someone just getting into fire spinning, I appreciate the warnings you give based on your experience. What shoes to wear, what clothes to wear, how to start the spin, and how much space is needed.
Bro tnx for this now i blow the mind of my frends and family with this awesome and beautiful art :) and its safe stay awesome and create new toys :)
Thanks so much for the video.. I've been having the hardest time figuring out how to set up the poi. Really looking forward to trying it..T
excellent video ,good information on materials & equipment and pros & cons of both
good job explaining s the dangers & safety factors many thanks
Thank you for this tutorial. Never thought you can do that at home (making the sparkle poi, not spining). 100 likes and thanks ;)
Awesome Tutorial thank you so much. You explained everything perfectly.
Thanks for sharing your info- I have always used chicken wire cages stuffed with steel wool off a roll, but I always have varied results. Sparkles are totally amazing at times but I get a short effect followed by molten rocks forming at other times. I will definitely give this a go!!
I'm a fire artist not a videographer;-p I appreciate the tip though:-) I noticed the same thing after this videos production. Am I doing better on the recent tutorial vids?
I just got into steel wool photography and live to try it in different ways and yes I did to the to handed way. I like way way you do it. I just use a whisk and a rope and 000 steel wool.
I see that people use a batterie to light it, but that doesn't work for me so I use a lighter and yes I do everything myself and settings the camera is a challenge itself, but it's fun.
Now I will try it your way.
About the video tutorial... excellent work mate (you've inspired me to get burned on new years eve)...
Great video. No super hero stuff, just a nice guy giving the facts on having fun and staying safe. Respect to you. Can you show a link where you got your poi handles/chains from please. You are now added to my favs and subscribed to you. Thank you for posting.
Home of Poi
This guy is awesome haha! And the video is awesome! I plan on starting poi and adding this to my shows when I move to the beach in several months. Thanks guy :D
Nice tutorial and good background music !
Excellent video sharing step by step "how to" for creating steel wool light photography spinning rope. Thanks.
We had a good chuckle at your Princess Leia bun!!!! Damnm, that's super easy! Making them, not DOING it.
best instructional video ive seen thus far . thanks man
Wow this is a great vid dude! Thanks for showing the "how to!" Who came up with this idea of sparkle poi? Back in da day we'd have never thought of this. And good going over safety precaution.
I'm sure the idea has been around. I was exposed to it at a friends get together.
Very informative! Now I'm ready to impress everyone for 4th of July tonight :)
Amazing lesson! Thank you 🙏
thank you so much for this tutorial - we tried this out and it worked fantastic :)
The steel wool that I purchase has a spiral design when looking at it from the top (where I poke the needle nose pliers into it in the video). By having the chain threaded through the middle of this spiral it ensures that the steel wool will burn from the outside of the spiral to the center holding the steel wool pads on as long as possible. Working with steel wool that has a different design may be why it is flying off so soon. Try some online stores and purchase there. Hope this helps!
Hey, thanks for the great tutorial, I made my own ones and they look great, I'm trying to work out methods of making it last longer, like a layer of paraphin soaked muslin in the middle so it goes sparkle, fire, sparkle. Want to experiment with adding other oxides to change the colour :) I had 2 successful attempts at using them, third time not so lucky, brushed the back of my hand and took the top layer of skin off like a light sabre
You look fantastic with the leia buns :P thx for the tutorial. I cant wait to make some XD
I've tried using the steel wool that comes with soap on it, and it acted as a wax or fire retardant, so the burn lasted twice as long compared to straight steel wool. It was twice as hard to light on fire though.
Interesting. I think we call those S.O.S. pads here. I bet it didn't smell too good lol.
Thank you. I tend to stick to the basics. I don't think that you are "limited" by any means though. It is very dangerous and tends to be a "fire stunt" so staying away from complex movements lowers the odds of error. You don't want to mess up with these and plane control is super important. Personally, I just enjoy watching a giant shower of sparks. If I want to see other movements I stick to the fire;-) This is the only prop that has given me a third degree burn so be super safe!!
Tamed Fire, you have sparked my interest in poi, and i shall look into it in the immediate future... No pun intended of course.
Dood, thank you so much for sharing all your experience.
First off great clip, excellent and thorough tutorial doood 👍
In regard to making it last longer, could you string three or four ' buns on chains ' to the quick link? As in three chains with three bundles of steel wool on each poi? It would be heavier but you would get three times the burn! Huge showers of sparks.
Bigger fire is always better fire. Test it out. I believe it may last just as long but make a thicker shower of sparks.
I just came across your video after finding out about using steel wool for that effect, and now I must try it thanks to your helpful video.
One question I had though is, how long does it last with steel wool?
This model, about 10 seconds.
I would say try both methods and experiment. You may get different results. I personally have only and always used the three bun method. I recently developed charcoal poi cages and have been wanting to stick and entire package (12 buns/24 total) inside the cages and spin them. From my experience, I can maintain a large shower of sparks for about 10-15 seconds with the three bun method. After that they die down and I smack them on the ground for some last bursts of excitement. I hope this helps.
great video very well done.
very cool i might try to make a pair, thanks for the video
What abort adding a weight on the chain along with the wool? To make them easier to control.
That would work. I find them pretty easy to manage just with the weight of the chain. Up to user preference though!
If you dip the sparkle poi into a camp fire sorta thing (i.e. a barrel) would it have the same effect as the blowtorch, just because it would light the entire thing unlike the lighter. which i think was the point you were trying to make when you said to use the blowtorch
I've never tried that. I think it may give a shorter burn? Worth a try!
Wonderful tutorial thank you
You’re welcome 😊
I will be putting steel wool inside of cages and testing out the effect this month. Stay tuned:-)
So is there any benefit to having three bundles of steel wool going at once? Is it just that it burns longer or does having three throw off more sparks? I wanted to do some long exposure photography with the egg whisk method, but if there's an upside to doing three at once, I'll give your method a try.
I have not used the whisk method so I would not be able to give you a comparative benefit. I think every method is worth a try though for the results you seek.
This is great! I need to do this for Imboc. Thank you so much. ;-) lucky 8
Just use some of ember hoods fire protection… really good stuff.
Well done man, fucking great production values and real talk. That's all anyone really needs.
From the bundles you made for the video how long would the spray fire last? I have seen advertisements showing various colors. How would you get the different colors? (How would you know what color would burn?)
About 10 seconds with this design.
Really nice one!
Can I aplly this into a fire staff so it turns into a sparkle staff?
If this wouldn't work in a staff, how could I make a fire sparkling staff?
Hope u can answer me.
Check out the Charcoal Poi Tutorials. I recommend a charcoal staff;-) One of my favorite props.
+elhenry makinson i just poke some in the ends of my staff and hope it dosent fly out
great video man. what do you think about breaking up two or a few different grades of steel wool in this chicken wire sphere??
You will find that a single grade burns better and gives a better effect than the other grades.
awesome tutorial cheers.
Hey, great video, thanks for sharing! Only question I have is how long does this prototype generally last before it dies down?
About 10 seconds.
Thank you! I have added a note in the video.
What's your advice for steel wool fire staff? ... Is it a bad idea for me to just attach on top of the wick I've got on/ add a small amount wrapped around?
I haven't made a steel wool staff, but if I did, I would use small cages to house the wool on the ends.
Rather than the chain I have seen metal "balloon whisk" (hand whisk used for beating eggs etc.) and the wire wool stuffed inside, have you tried that? If so or anyone else how does that work in comparison?
Thanks
I have not tried that method.
Have you noticed some steel wool doesn't ignite? Two years ago I had a blast doing this and then last year I bought the same name brand and grade and it would not ignite. It almost felt like there was a coating on the steel wool. Have they caught on to our fiery good times?
Haven't noticed that.
What brand do you use?
I show it in the video.
i noticed "sierra leone" was playing in the background at one point in the video, are there any vids of poi, staff etc to this song on your channel ?
No, but I love taking requests.
I've done the chicken wire sphere. It burns up too quickly. And leaves a mass of molten steel to contend with. As well as repairs needing to be made to the sphere after every use.
Good to know!
What's that black piece called? What that piece made of? Thank you so much
I think you are speaking of the chain handles. They are nylon.
Thank you so much for this tutorial! I've been practicing with LED Poi's and wanted to move up to fire-based poi and it seems this is my best bet seeing the effects are fantastic. Also, do you know of any US laws that may classify this practice as illegal?
No laws that I know of exist exclusive to spinning lit steel wool.
Nice Red Tail.
This is awesome, Thanks for the advice!
Hello! Having followed this tutorial, I managed to make some SWPoi, and they work quite well. However, I'm having trouble making them last longer than a minute. Any advice?
That's how long they last. Not long. Besides, keep your audiences wanting more;-)
Thank you. The chain can hold my weight and I am 150 lbs. It is not 11 - 19 pound test. It is non welded though, shouldn't make a difference for the effect. Do not use 11 - 19 pound test chain. Fire failure will ensue.
I guess you can buy it at any supermarket or hardware store?
are u in boise? looks like where i used to live off of cloverdale and chinden lol
No, I am based out of Fresno, CA.
Oh ok wow I swear it looks just like boise idaho lol. Great video. I am going to try this.
You need to fluff out the steel wool as much as possible to create surface area so it can get more oxygen
Your red tail looks about the same size as mine.
He's pretty awesome:-)
It was written - Damien Marley, playing in the background
Thank you so much that was awesome and I am gonna do it!
I'm gonna do it at my friends hockey rink, twill be sweet!
Hey man good tutorial really helped, I used this last night :) but I noticed it doesn't give a very long burn time and I only got 30seconds max, is there any way to get a longer burn time? I just couldn't get enough of it! Lol
No, it's a short but amazing effect.
my inside mesh melted, is that due to it being too thin or wrong material, i used a thin galvanised steel mesh,
Many Thanks
If you used mesh to hold the steel wool, yes, it got too hot.
I cant seem to find quick connectors that small anywhere...
Online?
how can i know the perfect type of the steel wool ..knowing that there is no number wroten in the package ..is that depends on its size or what?
+Haro Wanderlust If you do not have a way of knowing the size/grade of steel wool you have, test different grades until you find the best result. The size affects the effect. Good luck!
Thanks a lot it was great tutorial!!!!
Do you use zinc or stainless steel quicklinks? Just wondering
Stainless.
+TamedFire found SS quicklinks but only zinc chain at home depot. gonna try sparkle and coal poi. think there'll be a break in chain?
zinc plated quicklinks work too... that is just corrosion prevention differences, both are equally way stronger than is required for poi and are safe when closed tight with a set of pliers.
+themadscientest yup and they've been working just fine
one little tipp look into the lense not on the display beside the lense!
Thank you!
What song is playing at 6mins 30sec?
Idk, I use Shazam.
excelent tutorial thanks!
I'm sure that would work. I use a blowtorch because it's wind resistant and reliable.
Thanks! It was very usefull!
I can use copper wire instead if chain
someone else games no, do not try that. The copper will likely melt/ oxidize and weaken dramatically during your spinning and could easily end in disaster.
I don't recommend using anything other than steel chain or a steel cage.
@neospy369 Not this year but I plan on making every large fire gathering in the U.S. so Kinetic is on the list!!! Happy spinning!!
Depends on where you get it I suppose. I get mine for 3 to 5 $. The pack comes with twelve.
great video by the way.
Awesome vid bro! cant wait to burn with you guys this holiday season!!!
Where to buy that sparkling material?
lol
ever tried making a sparkle staff?
You should try XD
Yes! I have five of them:-)
Show it on a video! XD
Watch the channels most recent upload. In Fire Breathing Tech Blog 2 there is video of Ryan and I playing with them.
How long does it normally burn for
Taylor Anderson About ten seconds.
Yes definitely!
@ForgottenRotten Your right Drew. It would of been the tutorial on how to throw a .22 caliber pistola shell at a curb to effectively hit random targets but we both already know how to do that. Have fun burning things my friend;-)
Can you use grade 0000 steel wool?
Finding Freedom Test out what you have in your area if it differs from what is shown.
lol i loved this video bro
Bro you got a lot of time on your hands 🤣 great tutorials