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how do I make/ replace wicks on fire fans? Yesterday, 2:59 PM
I bought a used set of Poison fire fans, which have wicks on them that are wrapped around both directions with wire (not the type they came with) I would like to make and sew on my own wicks with 1/8" width kevlar....can someone tell me if there is a specific method to do this and how do I attach them? I dont like the exposed wire on the outside the way they are now.
Adam
Re: how do I make/ replace wicks on fire fans? Yesterday, 5:30 PM
There are a couple of ways of doing this.
One is to use kelvar with a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) backing. You need to clamp each layer hard to activate the adhesive, and only use white gas, or so I've heard.
Another is to affix with kevlar thread (you can unravel some of the kevlar tape to get this). You need to have or make a hole in the shaft to sew through. I use this on method on the finger wands I make, documented here: 8stars.org/a/firemaking/wands/
Tedward
Re: how do I make/ replace wicks on fire fans? Yesterday, 5:47 PM
You can also find some good attachment point on the struts of the fan, twist on some wire, then lay one end of the wire so that the kevlar wraps over it. Then fold the wire down and attach to the original twist.
I wouldn't trust the PSA stuff, all it takes is one dip in the wrong mix and you risk having the entire thing come undone. Even agressive glues (like the kevlar PSA) have some part of petrol that dissolves them. Dirty kero has most of the glue solvents, as does zippo fluid, and charcoal starter.
sam ...
Re: how do I make/ replace wicks on fire fans? Yesterday, 7:45 PM
In the past, I've sewn kevlar wicking with black "kevlar" thread that came from a very old McMaster order. true kevlar thread begins degredation at 400F (meaning that if any is exposed, it will be incenerated or loose strength in short order).
You can work around this by making a zig-zag stitch to minimize the surface exposure of the thread, as well as being extremely careful with your knotting.
Recently, I've come across PTFE coated fiberglass thread, which is significantly weaker (20lb tensile, as opposed to 60lb of .025" kevlar), yet retains its strength to 1,000 F, meaning it is barely suitable for wick purposes, and COULD be used as a structural member, so long as it is inspected at regular intervals(always). (whereas, kevlar thread, given its temperature breakdown, should not be the sole structural member of a wick).
Long story short: McMaster Carr, catalogue page 3451. compare items 8800K44 and 8839K23. All sewn wicks should be consider extremely fragile, and treated and inspected as such.
Also, get a curved upholstery needle, ball point works best.
how do I make/ replace wicks on fire fans? Yesterday, 2:59 PM
I bought a used set of Poison fire fans, which have wicks on them that are wrapped around both directions with wire (not the type they came with) I would like to make and sew on my own wicks with 1/8" width kevlar....can someone tell me if there is a specific method to do this and how do I attach them? I dont like the exposed wire on the outside the way they are now.
Adam
Re: how do I make/ replace wicks on fire fans? Yesterday, 5:30 PM
There are a couple of ways of doing this.
One is to use kelvar with a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) backing. You need to clamp each layer hard to activate the adhesive, and only use white gas, or so I've heard.
Another is to affix with kevlar thread (you can unravel some of the kevlar tape to get this). You need to have or make a hole in the shaft to sew through. I use this on method on the finger wands I make, documented here: 8stars.org/a/firemaking/wands/
Tedward
Re: how do I make/ replace wicks on fire fans? Yesterday, 5:47 PM
You can also find some good attachment point on the struts of the fan, twist on some wire, then lay one end of the wire so that the kevlar wraps over it. Then fold the wire down and attach to the original twist.
I wouldn't trust the PSA stuff, all it takes is one dip in the wrong mix and you risk having the entire thing come undone. Even agressive glues (like the kevlar PSA) have some part of petrol that dissolves them. Dirty kero has most of the glue solvents, as does zippo fluid, and charcoal starter.
sam ...
Re: how do I make/ replace wicks on fire fans? Yesterday, 7:45 PM
In the past, I've sewn kevlar wicking with black "kevlar" thread that came from a very old McMaster order. true kevlar thread begins degredation at 400F (meaning that if any is exposed, it will be incenerated or loose strength in short order).
You can work around this by making a zig-zag stitch to minimize the surface exposure of the thread, as well as being extremely careful with your knotting.
Recently, I've come across PTFE coated fiberglass thread, which is significantly weaker (20lb tensile, as opposed to 60lb of .025" kevlar), yet retains its strength to 1,000 F, meaning it is barely suitable for wick purposes, and COULD be used as a structural member, so long as it is inspected at regular intervals(always). (whereas, kevlar thread, given its temperature breakdown, should not be the sole structural member of a wick).
Long story short: McMaster Carr, catalogue page 3451. compare items 8800K44 and 8839K23. All sewn wicks should be consider extremely fragile, and treated and inspected as such.
Also, get a curved upholstery needle, ball point works best.
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