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(Don't) Make Your Own Fire Tornado

Posted by samzenpus on from the adut-supervision-please dept.

Flash Modin writes "In the last two weeks, both water and fire tornadoes have been widely covered by the media. As any physicists would have, we immediately thought 'I want to do that!' SO... You should absolutely, under no circumstances, not attempt to recreate the following fire tornado; but if you did, here's exactly what you would need, how you would do it, and what it would look like."

5 of 86 comments (clear)

  1. There's an easier way... by johnhp · · Score: 5, Informative

    The version in the story is too complicated, but there's an easier way. The catch is that it has to be really cold outside... I'd say at or below freezing.

    All you have to do is acquire a bottle of lighter fluid and a lighter. A zippo lighter works best. Spray a puddle of lighter fluid on cold pavement. Light the fluid (may take a while, it's difficult to ignite when cold). Once it's burning, stand back and spray a steady stream of lighter fluid into the flames. After a spray or two, a fire tornado will develop. I've made fire tornadoes that were an inch or two thick and at least ten feet tall.

    1. Re:There's an easier way... by GiveBenADollar · · Score: 2, Informative

      If this were true then welding torches couldn't exist. The nozzle itself prevents the flame from traveling to the reservoir. Doesn't matter that it's plastic, what matters is that it has no oxygen flowing through it, and it also absorbs any heat before it can flash back. Steady streams of flammable liquids are relatively safe as long as you don't light yourself on fire.

    2. Re:There's an easier way... by snspdaarf · · Score: 2, Informative

      It's not the nozzle on a welding torch. Flashbacks into the mixing body of the torch are fairly common. Usually, there is a "pop", followed by a whistling, and the torch gets real hot real fast. However, if properly set up, there is a flashback preventer where the hoses attach to the torch that contains a brass screen. It's the screen that blocks the flame.

      --
      Why, without your clothes, you're naked, Miss Dudley!
  2. You call that a flame tornado? by NetDrain · · Score: 5, Informative

    Here's a real flame tornado: Nate Smith, a gent I know personally, doin' his thing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qulN52bR9vk

  3. Re:More power by theReal-Hp_Sauce · · Score: 2, Informative

    Don't forget to use a car with an oil pan/lubrication system that is designed to work at all angles.

    Otherwise you will be purchasing an engine rebuild from your local mechanic before you get bored of the fire tornado.

    -hps