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I recently bought a double shooting flash wand. I wanted it originally for Halloween but when it came I couldn't make it flash or shoot so I had to send it back. I have now received a replacement but I am still having problems. The plastic percussion caps that were supplied with it just don't work most of the time so no spark so no flash. Just a wand which clunks!

I am very keen to make this work. I like the idea of the effect and would like to incorporate it in to a little show I am doing for some school children at Christmas. Does anyone have any experience with this device? Any ideas how I can make a successful spark?

Any suggestions would be most welcome.

Very oiften caps which are sent with a trick are damp or have been in stock a long time. For a couple of cap fired bits of apparartus I've always used caps which are on yellow plastic. The ones on red always seem to misfire. We found this happened 2 years ago in a revue I'd written for our Theatre Company; in a sharp shooter sketch.
Do check there is plenty of white explosive stuff in the cap. make sure the plunger is clean & DRY.
Try various Joke shops. ASK when this stock came in. Tell them about your misfires.
Using the wand BE CAREFUL. I'd NOT put flash paper in theser days. Fire regulations. Years ago, in panto, my flash wand sent a fireball up in the air and the audience divided as it came down TOO soon.
AKWAYS point it UP WARDS. tRY TO WARN THE KIDS THAT THERE WILL BE A BANG. "The magic works with a bang like fireworks."
DON't use it with little kids. Warn the adults. beforehand.
When it goes off, YOU JUMP, GASP and then laugh at yourself. " Cor that WAS a big noise"
Allen Tipton

Thank you Alan for a very comprehensive and useful response. Perhaps this is one of those purchases I should just consign to the useless box!