Fire Diabolo

[kragen]

Every wednesday evening there is a fire night at the university juggling society (im currently sitting soaked in parafin )

At the moment I play with staff to keep me occipied (and warm), but what I really want is a fire diabolo.

I've heard that they are hard to use as they tend to wobble all over the place once you speed them up too much.

Whats the "best" fire diabolo, and where can I get it from (over the net).

[barnesy]

I don't know of any good fire diabolos.  There are quite a few around, but the ones I've seen in use seemed to have a weak flame which didn't last for very long.  I may be out of date on that though?  I wouldn't mind a go of one sometime - the ones I've seen have been too uninspiring for me to try!

[Sean]

I think that one of the main problems is that when you drop them, since they are made of metal, they tend to dent and get deformed, and yes, they start to wobble.

A second problem is that unlike juggling torches, or say a firedevil stick where holding the wrong end for a short while doesn't really matter, having a scaulding hot, rotating piece of metal rub against your arm isn't pleasant.

There is one model that has a layer or rubber around the outside. Perhaps this solves some of those problems?

You're in the UK, right? Well, I think Butter Fingers - http://www.butterfingers.co.uk/ is one of your main distributors. They have the firefly fire diabolo. I don't know how the various models compare though, sorry.

[kragen]

yeah the juggling society does a mass club order from butterfingers around this time of year, so when they get round to it i'll probably end up getting one through that.

[seán_]

I think the rubber one with metal cups inside was discontinued due to it being horrible (wobbly)

www.firetoys.co.uk might be usefull, they stock different makes of fire diabolos (and proper one )

there is a forum with some fire diabolo related bits

Fire diabolos are a bit limiting and awkward imho.  but more power to you.

have you considered light kits?

[kragen]

I have considered light kits, but it doesnt look nearly as impressive as something on fire It also looks slightly out of place surrounded by people doing fire staff / poi etc...

In general I realise that diabolo isnt nearly as impressive as some other fire props, as the string and handsticks arent visible to spectators.

Also I know thats its difficult to do complicated doabolo tricks with fire as you cant speed the diabolo up too fast, and the bring lights make it hard to see the string,

All the same I want to be able to do some fire on wednesday evenings when everyone else is, and although learning staff just for fire might be easier, but thats not the point

That site does look good, I will take a good look on there, it definitely has a better selection of fire diabolo than butterfingers has.

Thanks.

[Sean]

In general I realise that diabolo isnt nearly as impressive as some other fire props, as the string and handsticks arent visible to spectators.

Nothing keeping you from setting those on fire too!  

OK, don't try it... or try it but don't blame me.

[seán_]

A fire devilsticker uses this mod.

He removes the last inch or so of the handstick covering, then wraps part of that in fire wick (the string type used in fire swallowing etc) so that the sticks become visable to everyone. (i think he uses foil under the wick to protect the wood)

I wonder if something simmilar could be done for diabolo?

or some kind of light arangements in the handsticks...

Seán_

*edit* dont blame me either

[seán_]

For those who are interested in fire, Nesbitt have relesed a new improved version of their sprung fire diabolo. Price is still as hefty as ever though @£89

Nesbitt used to have the big reputation as far as fire diabolos are concerned and have been unavailable for years.

[martijn]

That's great news! Arjan told me, he was looking for 2 Nesbitts..

[Matt Pang]

I got a Fyrefli for christmas, i've only used it once, but it gives a pretty good sized flame, much bigger than i first expected, but i think that this may have been because when i was spinning the excess lighter fluid off it, it went into the inside of the cups, and when i came to light it the insides of the cups ignited a little, not sure how, as there wasn't any wick....

But they're ok, they tilt really easily, like when you are doing suns and stuff, but i suppose they take some getting used to...and i've only used it once so i can't really comment on it that much...lol

Matt

[Arjan]

I`m gonna by me some of those things!!!    

I really would love to play with them!!

[Punkerpanda]

i had one of the rubber shell ones, but i dented it so much the rubber shell broke. now i have to wait til i can get new shells from renegade, but it worked pretty well. was very heavy(heavier than harlequin)

[mrpink]

Mty first real post here...
I built one myself and its actually quiet good...
Removed what was left of the cups from my broken first diabolo and replaced them with metalic bowls that I found in an ordinary shop. then just some torch wick aded in the center of the cups. It doesnt wobble at all even when spinning verry fast. When it spins fast the fuel is slunged out from the wick and it burns verry much for about aone minute.  Best thing it wasnt verry expensive to build so I dont lose half a fortune if i drop it ....  
If i buy a digital camera ill post a picture if annybody is interested in the design

[Spink]

I have a firefli, its pretty good and as long as you play on grass or mud you shouldn't dent it. (i drop mine all the time)

There a little bit small but they are fairly stable during suns and body moves.

[Ifrit]

I got a Comet which is rather nice. ive also increased the wick size of it replacing the tube reservoir thing for a nice thick cathedral wick which has as long, if not longer burn times, than my poi due to the lack of high speed that’s present when using the poi.

It is still really fun but really i want to get another so I can do 2 fire which although taking alil time to prefect will look a hell of allot better. There’s only so much that can be done with suns and body tricks.

i sacrificed my old wooden sticks a while back by purposely not using any protection on the wood. It was allot of fun and make suicide look amazing and the fact i only did it once made it even more special. i think i might give it another go soon but with some special thought out permanent sticks.

[Jester]

I've ordered a new nesbitt  + 2 G2's + mod kits

Feels good  

i've been playing with my 3 halequis for ages and there a bit heavy for some things
i think i'll be able to do a bit of stuff i've been trying for a while with the new ones I really want to get into some Excalibur

So i'm wondering if anyones ever experimented with Flaming Excalibur
I'm sure its gonna be even heavier than the halequins but Just Imagine  

Wouldn't have to be much just enouh to catch on vidio

[Ifrit]

I personaly would never try it with my comet. I not stable enought to get the spin plus is alil on the thin side i would be very scared of it hitting my face.

[hammerhead]

after seeing a topic with a mention of fire, i was wondering how exactly this is acomplished, what is the string replaced with and what is the diablo made of. i am 15 year old who is getting there at doing some good tricks and i just thought fire sounds like a whole new arena to explore.
thanks alot

[Spooned]

Fire diabolos tend to be made from a form of metal, with a lightable wick or pads for fuel to be ignited on, see here for diabolos and here for kevlar string (its the first one). Although it is all quite expensive it should look very intersting in the dark.