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Any recommendations for products that are available in the UK that produce flame and are suitable for close up work?

Thanks!

I think you need to be more specific. Do you want a flash of flame in which case a finger flasher and some flash cotton is what you need or are you looking to burn down buildings in which case army surplus is where you should go?

Matches are great for that kind of thing - but if you're a bit more technically minded you may want to look into getting a lighter.

I've heard that the cheapest way is to use two sticks, rubbed together vigorously... perhaps incorporate it as part of a 'flourish with magic wands' type effect?

Alternatively, you may get some ideas from here:
http://www.emagictricks.co.uk/default.php?cPath=1_11

I always think a lovely effect that Wows audiences is setting a tiger on fire and getting it to jump through a hoop.
I have plenty of Sumatran Tigers for sale although you will have to supply your own petrol, matches and hoops

Disclaimer: I do not hold any responsability for any injury caused by a singed angry feline

well..if its flames that you want so badly...you could always try making silicon from sand. The formula SiO2+2Mg->Si+2MgO.

SiO2(silica sand) plus Mg(magnesium powder) equals Si(elemental silicon). The 2MgO(Magnesium Oxide) will not be present because it remains dissolved in the acid.

All you have to do is heat a mixture of common silica sand and magnesium powder in a test tube. Since no reaction is perfect, youre left with a mixture of magnesium, magnesium oxidem magnesium silicide and silicon in the bottom of the test tube. Of course, this is not done on stage.

First, pour one cup of muriatic acid(37% HCl) into five cups of water. If you pour the water into the acid, fumes may occur and they can be deadly, but acid into water is perfectly safe. Then add the contents of the test tube to it. What you get is flames and sparks and a white cloud of gas.

This is a foolproof formula...

hope i helped...?

Crosseout wrote:...some chemistry...

potentially the most random first posting ever

seige wrote:I've heard that the cheapest way is to use two sticks, rubbed together vigorously...

That was quite a good effect at one time - but I think it's been over exposed. I think they even had the Mythbusters try and bust it - but they got bored and blew the sticks up in stead. I suppose it would be good filler if you only have one or two tricks for say - a 3 hour set.

Larry wrote:potentially the most random first posting ever

Agreed

taneous wrote:Siege wrote

I've heard that the cheapest way is to use two sticks, rubbed together vigorously...

That was quite a good effect at one time - but I think it's been over exposed.

I would agree with you up to a point Taneous, but as with most forms of exposure, most people have forgotten the method. I know its frowned upon but I tend to use the more modern lighter gimmick for this effect.

@ board(should that maybe be "bored") Members

Seriously though Reejoc; If you give us an idea of what your looking for maybe we can point you in the right direction