How to Make a Wick Fuse
A wick fuse burns just like the wick in a candle, drawing on a coating of wax to help sustain the flame--but unlike a candle, the flame on a wick fuse will burn much more quickly. Because there's very little wax to feed it, the flame consumes the cotton of the fuse, following the thread of cotton and wax back to whatever pyrotechnics source you have it attached to.
Things You'll Need
- Paraffin or beeswax
- Double boiler
- Wax paper
- Tongs
- Cotton wicking
- Spatula
Instructions
-
-
1
Lay out a sheet of wax paper to dry your wick fuse on.
-
2
Heat the paraffin wax in a double boiler over low heat until it's melted--how long this takes depends on how much wax you're using. If you're melting a large amount of wax, break it into small pieces first and then stir the melting pieces periodically with a spatula to help speed the melting.
-
-
3
Use a pair of tongs to drag the cotton wicking through the melted wax until it's evenly covered on all sides. You're not trying to build up a thick coating--just apply enough wax to make sure there's no cotton showing through.
-
4
Lay the cotton wicking out on the wax paper to dry--keep it neat, coiling it if necessary to keep from tangling. When it's dry--usually an hour or less--it is ready to store or use.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
The paraffin will cool quickly when it comes out of the double boiler; give it a few seconds of exposure to the air, then it should be safe to handle. The kind of cotton wicking you purchase in a candle supply or craft store is perfect for this project, but you can use cotton string if you must. The thinner your wick is, the faster it will burn.
Always use great caution, follow expert guidance and consult local regulations before attempting to set off pyrotechnics, especially using your own fuses. Clear any other flammable material from the path of the fuse.
