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Hey Guys,

Today I found a ouija board hidden in my room. It so happens I am actually quite fascinated with them. I got thinking about a routine I could put together using different props I have (m5 system, pure smoke, maybe even haunted deck?, tagged)

Anyway, one thing I'm thinking of, is to have the board set on fire during the routine (safety being considered, of course!!) So the way this would be done would be to have a layer of lighter-fluid over the board.

However I'm unsure what I could use to slyly set a spark over the board?

Maybe I could have some flash-string running from the board, below the table, and then just light a lighter beneath the table?


Thanks for the advice guys!
- Danny.

No need for mission impossible style fuses (that will probably set your trouser leg on fire-not the kind of effect you are going for!). It can all be done electronically, I reckon. First, you need to work out how to stop whatever flammable goodies you are using from being noticed, either visually or by their smell. Then, you need to make sure it can be ignited by a spark. All you then need is a set up with two thin (exposed) wires on the side of the board, contacting the burny stuff, and a circuit to cause a spark to jump between them (which is easy. Just a battery and a switch would do it. You may want to make it radio controlled for added distance, meaning greater effect and safety.). Alternatively you could use parts from an electronic lighter for a simpler way. I must say though, that I do not think covering the board in lighter fluid is wise. For a start, it burns with a fairly invisible flame. Also, it smells, is dangerous and would probably be noticed. I hope someone else will be able to provide more help.

Could do that, but it would be a lot more impressive to just use it ungimmicked...

Can't really assist with a practical alternative, but the whole 'layer of lighter fluid' isn't really credible:

- Firstly, it would smell pretty strong
- More importantly, it evaporates pretty quickly when exposed to the air
- Finally, as already toched upon, even if lit (by whatever means) immediately, without anything acting as a wick, all you'll get is a brisk "ploooomph!) of bluish flame, with no actual fire.

Needs considerably more thought, to be feasible, I'd suspect

I really don't think you could get away with this if you are having people use the board! Maybe a better idea would be to just make the glass (or whatever you are using as the indicator) burst into flames instead?? I'm sure with either some gimmickery or sleights this is much easier to do, will have a similar effect, and may advance you somewhat towards your eventual goal.

Thanks for the advice guys,

I was gonna use the orginal Planchette (and shim it), but perhaps a wine-glass would be better. instead of fire could possibly have the glass shatter?

Danny Joseph wrote:instead of fire could possibly have the glass shatter?

Ahem....

http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/ftopic41999.php

Injuring someone with exploding glass wouldn't be clever. Have a word with Dale Shrimpton or Lord Freddie, ungimmicked is by far the best way to go with Ouija, anything more is IMHO gilding the lilly.

To Save you asking.....
Dont set the thing on fire. When you are using it, you, and members of your "audience" have their hands on it. Like as not, you are lighting it by Candle light.
naked flames, and lighter fluid are not good bedfellows at the best of time. In a dark room, full of people in a hightened state , Its leathal.
Ouija, is neither a toy, or a trick.In order to make it work in the first place you absolutly must have people believe in it.
smoke and mirrors, will stop it from being believable.

Now, if you are using a glass, rather than a wooden Planchette,you could in theory have the glass audibly Crack at the end of the seance, rather than shatter.

And a practical method has just occured to me.

Which I will let you dwell on for a bit.

For now,Ill discuss it with Freddie & Paul, to see if they think it would work.
I think it will.....

D.

Dale I think he wants to do something quick and dirty, using smoke, magnets etc. Rather than actually do a seance and get people to believe in the board properly.

Thats fine.. if he wants to do that kind of stuff, he shouldn't touch the board.the two things wont mix.

daleshrimpton wrote:Thats fine.. if he wants to do that kind of stuff, he shouldn't touch the board.the two things wont mix.

In your opinion.

What if he wanted to do a gag?

What if he wanted to make the glass move with no one on stage, or no one touching it?

What if he didn't want to do a seance but wanted to use a board as part of something else?

It's a bit of wood. He can use it in anyway his imagination allows him, surely?

Indeed he can use it anyway he wants, but it seems worth pointing out that one of the strongest effects on an audience is allowing them to use one for real. And again it seems worth pointing out the massive fire risk of using a usually wooden object and setting it on fire. If you want to put the M5 to use a slight movement of the planchette should be enough to freak spectators if that is what you want. People have enough fear of these objects, so a decent presentation building up suspense will allow for a big reaction off very little.

I reckon you could get some amazing reactions by putting a ouija board on top of a table with a concealed Claymore mine. The sitters will be blown away.

To a degree, I think molesworth is right that someone may wish to do something (even) more dramatic with a talking board and a board that bursts into flames (or maybe has a word spelled out in fiery writing) sounds very exciting. It's just that the things suggested so far are not terribly safe. It reminds me a bit of that thread about exploding pieces of paper.

molesworth wrote:

daleshrimpton wrote:Thats fine.. if he wants to do that kind of stuff, he shouldn't touch the board.the two things wont mix.

In your opinion.

I thought it was safe to assume that every post is someone's opinion.

Ted wrote:I thought it was safe to assume that every post is someone's opinion.

Indeed they are and, as such, are equally valid even if nobody else agrees. The important thing is how courteously dissenting opinions are phrased!