Fire Equipment 101 checklist

jimmayor007 · Joined: 12 Sep 2007 Posts: 1

There are many things you need to look into when buying fire / performance equipment. These are some questions that should help you when you are deciding to buy such things.

1. Connections- what kind of connectors are being used? If its those key chain aka split rings, get the hell away!
Those are not safe no matter what kind of material they are made of. The best kind of connectors are those quicklinks that need to be fastened into place.

2. Chain- is it metal, what is its gauge? The higher the gauge the better the equipment (and heavier) Watch out for people who try to sell you cheap thin material. Ball chain is the BEST for ease of spinning, but yes it should be replaced every year or two.
For safety concerns.

3. Handles- leather vs fibers? Leather is always the way to go bc any fiber grip can get burned up. We never want this to happen, so use leather. Leather handles will need to be replaced after a year or more of stress.

4. Length- The length is usually determined from the end of your fingertips to your arm pit. People use all different types for different displays. So test out different sizes, and find one that works best for you.

...read the full guide with pics here

Invader_Xan · Joined: 02 May 2007 Posts: 540 Location: In Space

That's some good advice dude. Couple of things to add, too... Wink

2. If possible, check that the chain's been properly welded together. Cheap chains are not welded shut, and even high gauge will be relatively weak. This goes for ball chain too.
If you want the strongest, go for welded twist link. Smile

3. If you get good quality nylon fibre fingerloops, they may not be able to take heat, but as long as you keep them away from flames, they tend to last longer than leather because the fibrous material has a higher tensile strength.

Just thought I'd share. Very Happy

LewisM · Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Posts: 110 Location: UK > Bristol

Out of interest, is it posable to shorten the chains on fire poi?

Invader_Xan · Joined: 02 May 2007 Posts: 540 Location: In Space

Yep. Though you'll need a pair of bolt cutters. Wink

Daedra · Posted: Thu 13th Sep, 2007 8:18 am Post subject:

Another thing!

1) Just for safety's sake go over all the screws on your equipment, and maybe just give them a quick tighten.

Or that's just me being picky!

Felixwah · Posted: Thu 13th Sep, 2007 8:33 am Post subject:

nah man that is an integral part of my checklist alway go over your equipmant prior to spinning fire dont want no fire heads flying off Wink

Daedra · Posted: Thu 13th Sep, 2007 8:39 am Post subject:

When i was out in Spain, the screws magically disappeared from my poi! But this guy, whom i only know as Thaitom took the poi from my very hands and wrapped them with garden wire...and it worked to, i was pretty pleased! But no i always have me tool box handy now when it comes to poi lol, plenty of spares of everything and ma tools! Anyone else here carry a tool box when it comes to fire?

Felixwah · Posted: Thu 13th Sep, 2007 8:54 am Post subject:

just my leatherman the only tool you'll ever need Smile

sxylou123 · Joined: 27 Mar 2007 Posts: 481 Location: Margate, Kent

I always carry a pair of pliers in case I have to bend the metal back but usually their good for a few weeks.

I also robbed a fire blanket from someones work (I don't wanna be them if there as a fire), this and my paraffin all travels in a huge builders bucket which is my dipping pot. Oh and a shielded candle for those windy nights when a lighter just doesn't work!

Miranda · Joined: 07 Sep 2007 Posts: 71 Location: Surrey

With all this in mind, does anyone feel like linking to some sites / good poi?
I am planning to get some fire poi this christmas, and it'd be good to know I was getting decent ones Smile

How much should good ones cost?

Invader_Xan · Joined: 02 May 2007 Posts: 540 Location: In Space

IMHO, the best set of fire poi a beginner can buy is this set from Home of Poi (my apologies to the good manufacturers here at PoiPoi). Smile

The heads from this set were the first fire poi I owned (I made the chains myself -- a pair of heads only cost about £6). The full set costs a little under £30 which isn't bad at all. They're light, the flames aren't too big, and they have virtually no exposed metal -- so if you accidentally catch yourself, you're unlikely to burn much more than arm hair. They're also much less painful to catch yourself with than cathedral stacks or monkey fists.

Burn time is around 4 minutes with a cool burning fuel like pure kerosene, so it's not too long to spin for either (but trust me, adrenaline will make your first few spins feel a lot longer). Smile

That's my recommendation, anyway. Wink

Miranda · Joined: 07 Sep 2007 Posts: 71 Location: Surrey

Okay... have bookmarked.
Roll on Christmas Smile

LewisM · Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Posts: 110 Location: UK > Bristol

Yea i was planning on getting a fire set for xmas as well, would be great if some of the experienced people here could recomend some Smile

ajclarke · Posted: Sun 16th Sep, 2007 10:34 am Post subject:

I would actually say that the PP ones are more for advanced spinners due to the chain type, and exposed metal on the heads!

They are the best pair I have spun with though, even though i dont own a pair myself!

I ended up getting some cheaper ones like the ones Xan suggested. But mine are from Oddballs!

Miranda · Joined: 07 Sep 2007 Posts: 71 Location: Surrey

Oddballs in Camden?

*loves*

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