Following the success of the first visco fuse machine eBook featured on this site, I wanted to go back to the fundamentals and create a design that truly everyone can make!
No drills, saws, or fancy hardware needed! This design takes the most basic of household materials and tools and allows you to create a fully functioning visco fuse machine like the one below!
One of the best pieces of feedback I received about the first design was how simple and encouraging it was for beginners. I wanted to build on this strength and create a design that someone without so much as a toolset, let alone a workshop, would be able to make.
The original design first features on this site will still be available (and can be found here), as it provides a more robust model for long-term use, but if you’re looking for a design that you can make easily with hardly any tools then this second model will give you just that – it provides an entry-level design accessible to all which is still able to make a high-quality visco style fuse!
Please see the video below which shows the prototype model in action plus burn tests of the fuse both with and without a waterproof lacquer coating. Please note, the model and plans have been refined since making this video to make the construction even easier! Apologies for filming this in portrait, I'll know for next time!
This model can easily produce fuse at the rate of 3 feet per minute. The fuse itself has a diameter of 2mm, achieving a consistent burn rate of 0.8cm/sec, even underwater! Not bad for a machine that you can easily make for next to nothing!
You'll see from the video above just how simple yet, effective this design is. You’ll also see from the related videos that most designs out there are complicated, and the level of fabrication involved can be off-putting – having to source bearings, wood &/or metals for the main body of the construction and motors. Assembly of these designs usually requires power tools, fine drill bits and a range of manual tools including hammers and saws. This design is different - you can make the whole thing using only the equipment listed below, most of which can be found in a pencil case!
As one YouTube commenter put it:
"I love how basic and low cost you made your machine yet very functional. I spent a lot of time on mine before I got it to produce perfect visco. I did it but it was far from easy, then again I didn't have a shop and fancy tools like some guys, but you just showed that's not necessary. Kudos."
Please see the video below which shows the prototype model in action plus burn tests of the fuse both with and without a waterproof lacquer coating. Please note, the model and plans have been refined since making this video to make the construction even easier! Apologies for filming this in portrait, I'll know for next time!
This model can easily produce fuse at the rate of 3 feet per minute. The fuse itself has a diameter of 2mm, achieving a consistent burn rate of 0.8cm/sec, even underwater! Not bad for a machine that you can easily make for next to nothing!
You'll see from the video above just how simple yet, effective this design is. You’ll also see from the related videos that most designs out there are complicated, and the level of fabrication involved can be off-putting – having to source bearings, wood &/or metals for the main body of the construction and motors. Assembly of these designs usually requires power tools, fine drill bits and a range of manual tools including hammers and saws. This design is different - you can make the whole thing using only the equipment listed below, most of which can be found in a pencil case!
As one YouTube commenter put it:
"I love how basic and low cost you made your machine yet very functional. I spent a lot of time on mine before I got it to produce perfect visco. I did it but it was far from easy, then again I didn't have a shop and fancy tools like some guys, but you just showed that's not necessary. Kudos."
Equipment list Materials list
Glue (PVA or glue gun) Small apple boxes x2
Craft knife Cardboard tube (from cling film/aluminium foil etc) x1
Ruler Cereal boxes x2
Pen/pencil 500ml plastic Dr Pepper bottles (or similar) x2
Scissors A4 paper x1
Paperclip Foam pizza base x4
Lighter/candle Wooden BBQ skewers x6
Cocktail sticks Large rubber bands x2 (16cm, 3mm in width)
Compass
The materials used for the construction of this design are simply cardboard, paper, plastic and foam…oh and a few wooden skewers. This design was specifically tailored to be made from household materials or those that are both easily and cheaply acquired!
This design removes a large part of the fabrication needed for most models by utilising the existing shapes of household items such as plastic bottles and apple boxes. The entire model can be made in less than an hour with the minimum of cost.
This eBook contains over 5000 words and 69 pictures across 25 pages, which may sound like a lot for a simple project, but that’s because every step is broken down and explained thoroughly to make the build as straightforward as possible. The whole model can be easily made with materials you probably already have, without the need for specialised tools.
The PDF file eBook is ready for instant download at £5.00 via PayPal's secure checkout. The sale will be delivered by Payhip, once payment is complete you will be emailed receipt confirmation and provided with your unique download details - Just click the "Buy now" button below!
The PDF file eBook is ready for instant download at £5.00 via PayPal's secure checkout. The sale will be delivered by Payhip, once payment is complete you will be emailed receipt confirmation and provided with your unique download details - Just click the "Buy now" button below!
All of the information you need to make this super easy Visco machine is right here in one place! Just like with the first model on this site, all of the details have been brought together in this comprehensive guide.
All fireworks carry some level of risk but having a safe and reliable fuse greatly reduces the chances of damage or injury. That’s why it’s so important to have a fuse you can trust!
The requirement for the first model on this site was to make a Visco machine that was:
- Compact, and so easily stored.
- Easy to construct.
- Cheap to build.
- Easy to operate.
- Quiet.
- Able to produce small to medium lengths of fuse easily and quickly.
- Hand powered – reducing complexity, cost (both of materials and in operation) and noise.
This, in turn, would need to produce a fuse that:
- Has a consistent burn rate.
- Is reliable – i.e. it will continue to burn in confined spaces, such as the exhaust port of a rocket nozzle.
- Can be waterproofed.
- Will be strong enough to withstand pyrotechnic charges (such as those in lift charges and break charges) but still be flexible enough to cope with a certain amount of manipulation.
This new design fulfils all of the above requirements for both the machine and the fuse it produces, and in addition to the original design, this model requires next to no special skills/tools.
The finished model looks simple, and to be fair, that’s the point! It took a long time to design a model which would meet the criteria listed above yet be as simple as possible and use readily available materials. The less complicated a system, the less there is to go wrong with it. Anyone who has battled the trial and error of getting a Visco machine to work without instructions will testify that the fewer times you have to thread the “Dies” the better!
There are many good reasons for making your own fuse, such as:
- Once everything is set up, production of homemade fuse is often much cheaper than buying fuse.
- You can tailor the fuse to the specific requirements you have for a given application i.e. burn rate, fuse dimensions, effects (flying fish, coloured flames etc.)
- You can have fuse “on tap” whenever you want it.
- Having the satisfaction of making the fuse yourself – after all, the whole reason you’re making fireworks in the first place instead of buying them (fuse and all) is that you appreciate having put in the effort to understand the processes and get it right for yourself.
This design produces a Visco style fuse which has its nitrocellulose lacquer applied in a separate process, as described on the page Nitrocellulose lacquer - coating your fuse.
As I’ve said, “All fireworks carry some level of risk” and that’s why it’s important that you take all necessary safety precautions – including reading this eBook’s disclaimer (which is included in the eBook), which you can read by clicking here - also available under "Pages" (top right of any webpage).
You won't find an easier and more comprehensive design than this model. Download the eBook now and start making your own fuse today!
You won't find an easier and more comprehensive design than this model. Download the eBook now and start making your own fuse today!
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