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This page explains how to create
reliable connections between fuses. For the sake of clarity,
the fuse that transfers the fire will be referred to as the
"first" or "primary" fuse, whereas the fuse that
receives the fire will be referred to as the "second" or
"secondary". In the images, the first fuse is on the
left whereas the second is on the right. All image thumbnails
can be enlarged (in a new window) by clicking on them. If you
cannot enlarge the images, you may need to deactivate your browser's
popup blocker. Videos clips are in
Windows Media Viewer (.wmv) format.
Visco
Connecting visco
to other types of fuse is simple, easy and reliable. Visco
burns slowly and gives off a lot of sparks (and burning molten globs
if it is the nitrocellulose lacquer-coated variety), which can ignite
all other types of fuse without a problem. Please note that the word "visco" in the methods below
refers to both fast and slow visco, due to their similar construction
and relatively similar burn rate (compared to sticky match and quick
match).
Visco to
visco
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This method is
most commonly used for connecting cakes or shells to one fuse. I have found that
a good rule of thumb is simply to place the two fuses side by side
and overlap them by at least an inch, then attach them with either
electrical tape, duct tape, or - my personal favorite - zip ties.
(Masking tape does not work well unless it's dry and warm, so I
almost never use it). As the burning front of the first fuse
comes into contact with the second fuse, the intense heat burns
through the nitrocellulose/thread coating of the second fuse and
ignites its core. Even before this occurs, sparks from the
first fuse usually ignite the black powder core of the exposed end of
the second fuse. For increased reliability, use a knife to cut
the receiving fuse at a 45 degree angle to expose more of its core.
It also doesn't hurt to wrap the connection in a bit of tape to
help concentrate the fire.
When connecting
pieces of (secondary) visco (from a cake, for instance) to a long,
continuous piece of (primary) visco, bend the last inch of the
secondary fuse at such an angle so as to allow it to lie next to the
primary fuse, with it's end pointing in the direction that the fire
will be coming from. Attach it with tape or zip ties. |
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The video clips below show some
example connections.
Visco to
quick match
| This is another
simple connection to make, since all that must be done is ensure that
sparks from the visco come into contact with the black match core of
the quick match. This is as simple as inserting a piece of
visco about 1-2 inches into the paper casing of the quick match,
twisting the paper around the visco, then fastening it in place
with duct tape or a zip tie.
Be sure that there is actually black match inside of the quick match
pipe - I've seen cases where the actual black match was recessed
several inches into the pipe, and as a result the visco failed to
transfer the fire. |
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Visco to
sticky match
This method is often used for
attaching a visco leader to a sticky matched set piece in order
to allow yourself to get away. To connect visco to sticky
match, just overlap the two by about an inch, centering the
visco over the sticky match's powder core, then just fold the
sticky edges down around the visco. Since visco gives off
a lot of sparks in all directions (any one of which can burn
though and ignite the sticky match), you may wish to cover the
first couple inches of sticky match with tape or foil to prevent
premature ignition. |
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Quick
Match
Due
to quick match's incredibly fast burn rate, the secondary fuse will
only be engulfed in flame for a tiny fraction of a second.
Thus, you must make sure that enough of its powder core is exposed in
order to take fire.
In
the pictures and videos below, a piece of leader visco is used to
ignite the primary quick match rather than lighting the quick match
directly with my torch (less chance of getting burnt that way!).
Quick
match to visco
Quick
match to quick match
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There are a few
methods for doing this. My favorite method involves overlapping
the first and second pieces of quick match by 2-3 inches, then taping
the overlapped ends to the other piece. Then use a sharp object
(a knife works, but I prefer an awl) to poke several holes though
both pieces of match (see picture). Then cover the holes with tape. The
sparks and hot gases will be forced out through the holes in the
first fuse and into those in the second, causing it to ignite.
You can also use this method to attach a secondary piece of quick
match to the middle of a continuous piece of quick match using method
similar to the one used with visco - just overlap several inches of
the secondary fuse to the primary, tape, poke holes, and retape.
Another method for
attaching the end of one piece of quick match to the beginning of
another piece - or multiple pieces - can be accomplished using a
"bucket". The first fuse and second fuse(s) are
stripped of at least 1" of their paper pipe, then laid end to
end and wrapped in a piece of kraft paper. The sparks and gases
ejected from the first fuse will be contained by the bucket and
directed at the exposed end(s) of the secondary fuse(s).
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Quick match
to sticky match
Whether you want
the sticky match to take fire from the end of the quick match or
somewhere in the middle, the best thing to do is simply poke a hole
in the pipe where you want to branch off, and wrap the sticky match
around it. As long as the escaping flame from the quick match
comes into contact with the sticky match, it will ignite.
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Sticky
Match
Like quick match,
the rapid burn time of sticky match requires that it make as much
contact as possible with the secondary fuse. Luckily, its
sticky nature makes this a bit easier.
Sticky Match
to visco
| Again, here you
want to cut the visco at an angle to expose its core. Align the
end of the visco with the sticky match core and fold the sticky edges
around it. If igniting multiple pieces of visco across a length
of sticky match, I've found that it works well to lay the visco
perpendicular to the sticky match core, then cut a 2" strip of
sticky match and sandwich the piece of visco between it and the main
length of sticky. |
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Sticky Match
to Quick Match
Sticky Match
to Sticky Match
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simplest connection to make! Just stick the two ends of the
sticky match together, overlapping by about and inch. You can
also branch off multiple secondary fuses from a long length of
primary as long as the powder cores overlap.
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