Forums > Technical Discussion > Methalated spirits!

Posted: 1st Dec 2002
Hey there - you're using meth, eh? Interesting... I don't think I know anyone that uses that fuel!

please read Fuel Info Page for starters. The MSDS explanation page is also essential reading for anyone using fuel.

HoP Posting Guidelines
Is it the Truth?
Is it Fair to all concerned?
Will it build Goodwill and Better Friendships?
Will it be Beneficial to all concerned?
If you can answer YES to these 4 questions then you may post a reply.

Posted: 2nd Dec 2002
I use meths sometimes- mix it with Boric acid (99p from the chemist) and you get lavaly green fire! Not very good for windy days.. but it's priddy!

I honour you as an aspect of myself..

You are never to old to storm a bouncey castle..

Posted: 2nd Dec 2002
It tastes horrible

Not that kero tastes any better but i'v got used to the oily kero taste .

[garbo]

[ 03. December 2002, 01:41: Message edited by: [garbo] ]

be excellent to each other: safe:

Posted: 5th Dec 2002
Not only does it taste horrible, but it's really poisonous too! yay!

x X x ß £ Å Ĉ К ß î я Ð x X x

Posted: 8th Dec 2002
I got my first start using paint thinner, it's pretty decent stuff.... the key things to remember with it are DO NOT LEAVE YOUR POI INDOORS AFTER YOU BURN!!!! Leave them outside or the fumes will evaporate all up in your place and could be harmful. Same rule applies if you use gasoline, white gas, or any other aromatic compound.

Personal favorite for me? Kero for performances, paint thinner or gasoline for cheapness (like practice). For really good stuff use paraffin (lamp oil) with just one mist of white gas on the outside from a sprayer bottle - really helps with the ignition!

What hits the fan is not evenly distributed.

Posted: 9th Dec 2002
uhhh, are there any techie fuel folks present that know if methylated spirits have (or release while burning) methanol in them? methanol bad ...

-Such a price the gods exact for song: to become what we sing
-Seek freedom and become captive of your desires. Seek discipline and find your liberty.
-When the center of the storm does not move, you are in its path.

Posted: 10th Dec 2002
Wow, im gonna have to try that boric acid trick!
thatks for your help p-pol!
Si

Posted: 10th Dec 2002
Is it easy to buy Boric Acid in Australia.

Can you just stroll in to the local chemist and ask them for some of their finest Boric Acid, or does is come in some other guise?

So much fire, so little body hair...

Posted: 10th Dec 2002
lokk for "roach rid" at your friendly neghborhood store. yellow platic bottles. or cans.

-Such a price the gods exact for song: to become what we sing
-Seek freedom and become captive of your desires. Seek discipline and find your liberty.
-When the center of the storm does not move, you are in its path.

Posted: 12th Dec 2002
Methylated spirits: 95% ethanol & 2-5% methanol

Ethanol; what we drink (note 95% => 190 proof!)

Methanol; toxic death! In the guise of, among other things...
1) Irritation of mucosa
2) Ocular disturbances due to direct and preferential toxicity of the optic nerve (you go blind)
3) Severe metabolic acidosis manifest as dyspnoea, tachypnoea, Kussmaul's respiration and cardiovascular collapse...

Which generally happen between 10 & 30 hours after ingestion.

Don't breath this stuff.

Oh, and yes, it /really/ does taste horrible too.

I wouldn't use it as a fuel for spinning either; it will evaporate producing fumes (methanol is more volatile than ethanol), it burns hotter, it's more expensive, etc.

As for Boric:
Go into a chemist and ask for boric acid, they should just give you some no questions asked - probably quite cheap too - but trust me it's more trouble than it's worth, for spinning at least.

It's quite fun for making coloured lamps and things though (Outdoors, well ventilated area, people!). Last year I made pumpkin lamps which were green, that was quite cool...

But be careful...

(using for no reason. Spread the )

x X x ß £ Å Ĉ К ß î я Ð x X x