Stage & Theatrical Special Effects

Skylighter's line of stage and theatrical products can be used indoors and outdoors depending on the situation. They should only be used by trained professionals. Be sure and test every single effect or device you are using before using it indoors or in front of a live audience. The instructions that come with the products are important. They have been written by professionals who use these products and know how to use them safely. Pyrotechnic special effects can be quite dangerous even when used in small amounts, but especially if you exceed recommended sizes.

FX0540

Misch Metal Rod

1/2 inch diameter x 4 inches long gray rod. Also called, flint rod, Swedish steel, magnesium and steel, sparking composition, or metal match. Misch metal is an alloy of cerium and several rare-earth metals. It is used to make sparks in movie special effects and for other applications. Scrape it with a knife, or a hacksaw blade or scissors and watch the sparks fly.

Emergency Fire Starter
Can be used as an emergency fire starter for survival. Great for campers, hikers, Boy Scouts. One easy way to use it with 100% cotton balls saturated with petroleum jelly. They catch fire easily. You can use them to make the base of a small, hot fire. Just add dry, fluffy tinder (such as grass) and add small kindling to it. Make up some cotton balls ahead of time with the petroleum jelly and stash them in zip lok bags. You can really make your starter fire hot by adding magnesium chips or turnings(#CH1004) or embedding them in your saturated cotton balls.

BK0149

Special Effects with Fire and Smoke Book

This is the first book we have been able to find covering pyrotechnic special effects. It covers: flash paper, flash cotton, flash string, loading and unloading flash paper in devices, electronic glo-plug devices, flint wheel devices, cap ignition devices, flash pots, flash guns, indoor pyrotechnic systems, outdoor devices, ignition systems, ignitors, using nichrome wire for ignition, using glo-plugs for ignition, visco fuse, flash string fuse, firing panels, power substitutes, foot switches, battery packs, concussion powder, flash and other powders, using smoke powders & cartridges & cookies, special effects in theaters, rock band devices, magical flash props, clown props, pyrotechnic snowflakes, using lycopodium powder, using finger blitz, using various flash powder and smokeless powder substitutes, fire writing, contact exploding balls, and liquid fuel fire. Also included is a section on Special Effects Secrets: Ninja exploding ball, magical powder lighting, airburst explosion, party popper flash pot, pulling fireworks, lit sparkler production, auto match and flash string magic. This is a great, jam-packed book for folks who are new to special effects. 8-1/2 x 5-1/2, spiral bound, 10 chapters, 127 pages, dozens of illustrations.

FX0520

Electronic Flash Gun Kit - Save $5.90

Everything you need to shoot fireballs 10 - 15 feet in the air! Consists of a single barrel electronic flash gun (FX0501), 4 sheets of flash paper (FX1020), and 4 grams of flash cotton (FX1010). Enough flame shooter material for dozens of fireballs. Save $21.24 by buying the whole flame shooter, flash gun kit at one time.

FX0501

Electronic Flash Gun - Single Barrel

The performer enters the stage, hands seemingly empty, and then - POOF! Suddenly a flash is seen streaking out of his hand, erupting into a brilliant ball of fire. Shoots 10 - 15 feet. This fantastic little flame shooter is small enough to conceal in your hand, yet creates an astoundingly large effect. Requires Flash Paper, Flash Cotton, optional Sparkle Powder, and one AA battery (not included). Also available in a double barrel design. Specifications: 3-1/2” long x 1-1/2” wide x 1-1/4” thick; Ignition: 1.5 volt DC Glo-Plug (needs to be cleaned occasionally, but reusable for many, many shots)

FX0502

Glo-Plug, 1.5 Volt

This is a reusable igniter, included in various devices that require them, like flash guns. They may eventually burn out or break, and need to be replaced. To replace one, just follow the directions that come with the Glo-Plug. A one battery device uses a 1.5 volt Glo-Plug. Two battery devices use a 3 volt Glo-Plug. (The number of barrels in a device is irrelevant.)

FX0505

Electronic Flash Gun - Double Barrel

The performer enters the stage, hands seemingly empty, and then - POOF! Suddenly a flash is seen streaking out of his hand, erupting into a brilliant ball of fire. Shoots 10 - 15 feet. This fantastic little flame shooter is small enough to conceal in your hand, yet creates an astoundingly large effect. Requires Flash Paper, Flash Cotton, optional Sparkle Powder, and one AA battery (not included). Also available in a single barrel design. Specifications: 3-1/2” long x 2” wide x 1-1/4” thick; Ignition: 1.5 volt DC Glo-Plug (needs to be cleaned occasionally, but reusable for many, many shots)

FX0506

Glo-Plug, 3 Volt

This is a reusable igniter, included in various devices that require them, like flash guns. They may eventually burn out or break, and need to be replaced. To replace one, just follow the directions that come with the Glo-Plug. A one battery device uses a 1.5 volt Glo-Plug. Two battery devices use a 3 volt Glo-Plug. (The number of barrels in a device is irrelevant.)

FX0514

Finger Flame Projector

Use this gadget to make your finger look like it's on fire. It will deliver a candle-like flame on your command, over and over without refilling. Requires standard lighter fluid (not included). Dimensions: 1-1/8" x 2-1/4" x 1-5/8". Uses a spark wheel assembly for ignition.

FX0515

Flint Flasher

This heavy duty mechanical device creates a nice flash of fire. Can also be used to create electrically crackling sparks. So useful you'll carry one everywhere you go. Great for magic shows, wizard costumes, etc. Hands can be shown empty front and back; can be used in right hand or left; can be shot up or down. Spark wheel assembly is machined out of brass, flint is replaceable, and construction is all metal. Requires Flash Cotton (not included). Sparkle Powder is optional. Dimensions: 1/2" diameter x 1/2" deep x 2-1/4" long Ignition: Spark wheel assembly

FX1010

Flash Cotton

Very fibrous and fast-burning, looks exactly like regular cotton. Ignites faster and easier than flash paper, so it’s excellent as a primer in all Glo-Plug or flash gun devices. Must shipped wet with water and can be quickly dried as you need it. There are no hazmat fees for shipping it. Spec’s: 4 gram packet

FX1010

Gun Cotton

Very fibrous and fast-burning, looks exactly like regular cotton. Gun (or flash) cotton is cotton which has been nitrated and processed to become nitrocellulose. Ignites faster and easier than flash paper, so it’s excellent as a primer in all Glo-Plug or flash gun devices. Must shipped wet with water and can be quickly dried as you need it. There are no hazmat fees for shipping it. Spec’s: 4 gram packet of wet gun cotton

FX1020

Flash Paper

Sturdy tissue type paper ideal for devices that shoot fireballs such as flash guns. Generally a 4 inch square (1/4 sheet) gives excellent results, but always check your product directions for the proper amount for your device and test beforehand. Flash paper burns with an orange-yellow flame. Flash paper must shipped wet with water and can be quickly dried as you need it. There are no hazmat fees for shipping it. Spec’s: 4 sheet pack, 8 x 9 inches per sheet.

FX1030

Sparkle Powder

Sprinkle on Flash Paper, Flash Cotton, Flash String or Cord to add electrically crackling, white sparks to your effect. Using Sparkle Powder transforms an the orange fire of flash paper and cotton into a white-spitting, vicious, delicious, crackling, snarling interesting attention-getter. 1/2 ounce bottle goes a long way.

FX1050

Dragon's Breath Squirter

Dragon's Breath is lycopodium powder. Squirt this fine powder through an open flame to create an orange jet of fire, just like magicians have for years. Comes in a 30 cc plastic squirt bottle. Just remove the cap, and squeeze it to shoot the powder through the flame to make a very impressive fire projection. 1/2 ounce bottle.

FX1055

Dragon's Breath Refill

120 cc (about 36 grams) bag or bottle or lycopodium powder.

FX1040

Flash String

Small diameter string (about like kite string) which burns very quickly with an orange flame. Can be used as a fuse, a fuse simulator, for lighting Flash Powder, or coat with Sparkle Powder for a sparkling effect. It burns more slowly when placed on a surface, so it can be used to spell out letters or shapes. Can also be used as a release for a magic or other gimmick. Can be shipped with no hazmat fees. 10 feet, packed wet.

FX1042

Flash Cord

Thicker and stronger than Flash String, burns hotter and more brightly with an orange flame. Can be used as a fuse, a fuse simulator, for lighting Flash Powder, or coat with Sparkle Powder for a sparkling effect. It burns more slowly when placed on a surface, so it can be used to spell out letters or shapes. Can be used in magic to produce a silk. Can be shipped with no hazmat fees. 10 feet, packed wet.

FX0600

Electric Flash Pot, Non-Concussion

An economical flash pot for use with non-concussion flash powders. It has a 6 foot 120 volt AC cord with plug which connects to any North American electric outlet. Uses Nichrome Igniters (6 included). Use with red, green, white, or photoflash powders. NEVER USE CONCUSSION POWDER IN THIS FLASH POT. Dimensions: 4" x 1-1/2" x 4". Ignition by 120 volt AC #GN5025 Nichrome Igniter.

GN5025

Nichrome Igniter

6-inch length of non-insulated nichrome wire which burns completely when electricity from 120 volt AC outlet is applied to the ends. These igniters are for use in our #FX0600 Electric Flash Pot for Non-Concussion flash powders. Package of 12.

FX1060

Red Flash Powder

Creates a reddish flash of fire (with no bang) and a puff of white smoke. Slower than white or photo flash powder. This is a binary kit which comes in two bottles for safe shipping and storage. When the contents of the two bottles are mixed, one ounce of flash powder is created. Never use flash powder in a handheld device. Use it only in a device designed specifically for flash powder use. The smoke generated by our flash powders has a very mild odor, and is generally not irritatating. Each kit yields 8 shots per ounce.

FX1061

Green Flash Powder

Creates a greenish flash of fire (with no bang) and a puff of white smoke. Slower than white or photo flash powder. This is a binary kit which comes in two bottles for safe shipping and storage. When the contents of the two bottles are mixed, one ounce of flash powder is created. Never use flash powder in a handheld device. Use it only in a device designed specifically for flash powder use. The smoke generated by our flash powders has a very mild odor, and is generally not irritatating. Each kit yields 8 shots per ounce.

FX1062

White Flash Powder

Creates a flash of fire (with no bang) and a puff of smoke. This is our safest flash powder. This is a binary kit which comes in two bottles for safe shipping and storage. When the contents of the two bottles are mixed, one ounce of flash powder is created. Never use flash powder in a handheld device. Use it only in a device designed specifically for flash powder use. The smoke generated by our flash powders has a very mild odor, and is generally not irritatating. Use one teaspoon per flash. Each kit yields 8 shots per ounce.

FX1063

Photo Flash Powder

Creates a bright flash of fire (with no bang) and a puff of smoke. The effect is more of a poof. Makes less smoke than white flash powder and burns faster. This is a binary kit which comes in two bottles for safe shipping and storage. When the contents of the two bottles are mixed, one ounce of flash powder is created. Never use flash powder in a handheld device. Use it only in a device designed specifically for flash powder use. The smoke generated by our flash powders has a very mild odor, and is generally not irritatating. Each kit yields 8 shots per ounce.

FX0620

Concussion Pot (Concussion Mortar)

Professional grade, heavy steel concussion mortar made to order for Skylighter. It is designed to fire concussion powders in stage, theatrical, or proximate fireworks settings. The pot is constructed of a 3-inch outside diamater, grade 1045, cold rolled, 124,200 pounds-per-square-inch tensile strength round steel bar welded to a 3/8 inch thick, 6 inch x 6 inch steel plate, with a steel carrying handle welded on. The receptable for the concussion powder is a hole drilled into the steel bar 1 inch wide and 4 inches deep. It will accommodate up to one ounce of concussion powder with or without sparkle powder added. You use this pot with an electric match inserted into the top, and tie the ematch off on the handle. It can be used as a flame projector using any flame projector powder, or with any other non-concussion flash powders as well. Used as directed, this concussion pot should last for many years, even with frequent, heavy use by professionals. Shipping weight is 12 pounds. Black, matte finish.

FX1064

Concussion Powder

Concussion powder creates a very loud explosion/bang and a small puff of smoke. It can be be used to make air bursts or in concussion pots. It should only be used in concussion-type flash pots (such as our FX0620 Concussion Pot), NEVER, EVER in weaker pots. This is a binary kit which comes in two bottles for safe shipping and storage. When the contents of the two bottles are mixed, one ounce of flash powder is created. Never use flash powder in a handheld device. The smoke generated by our flash powders has a very mild odor, and is generally not irritatating. Use with Sparkle Powder (#FX1030) to add white sparks.

GN6011

Electrical Firing System - 10 Cue Kit With Firing Box, Cable, and Slat

Shoot your next special effects electrically. Just push the buttons from a safe distance where you can control the action. This is a complete firing system. All you need to add is batteries and electric matches. Contains one each GN6011 10-Cue Electrical Firing Box, GN6080 100-Foot Electrical Firing Cable, GN6090 10-Cue Electrical Firing Slat. You save $10.40 when buying the complete system.

GN6010

Electrical Firing Box, 10 Cue

This is a capacitor-discharge (CD) 10-cue (or channel) firing box. It is used to remotely fire one or more electric matches. It operates much like our single-cue, GN6001, but has 10 channels instead of one. Each channel (or cue) can fire 1-50 matches wired in series (daisy-chained). This rugged system is housed in a 5 inch x 6 inch x 1.5 inch thick aluminum case. On the back panel are a key lock switch for main power and a DB25F receptacle for output to our GN6080 100 foot cable (not included) and our GN6090 10 Position Slat (not included). On the top cover there is a "TEST/ARM" mode switch, an "ON/OFF" power switch; a "FIRE/OFF" switch with ready-light; a “push to test” switch with an LED light for continuity; and a rotary switch to select the desired cue (1 through 10). Normal firing procedure is to first connect one or more electric matches to the pyrotechnic device(s) being fired. Then connect the electric matches to the GN6090 slat. Then connect the slat to the GN6080 100 foot cable. Then connect the cable to the firing box at the DB25F receptacle. When you are ready to use your system, turn the power switch on. The turn the arming switch to “Test” mode and the rotary switch to the first cue number to test. Then push the test button to see if the red LED lights up in the built-in circuit tester. If it does, you have good continuity through that firing circuit. Turn the rotary switch to each of the remaining cues, repeating the continuity test as you go, until all firing circuits have been tested. When you are ready to fire, change the arming switch to “Arm”. Move the rotary switch to the first position (usually #1), and then press the Fire switch, which will fire all the electric matches on that cue. With new “C” alkaline batteries (two required, not included), the unit will re-charge in 10 seconds. The system will generate 300 volts (rated at 8.7 joules).

GN6080

Cable, Electrical Firing, DB25, 100 Feet

Use this DB25 cable to connect the GN6010 firing system to GN6090 10-Position Slats. Can be used indoors or out and enables you to fire your fireworks or pyrotechnic effects from a safe distance.

GN6090

Slat, Electrical Firing, 10 Position

Slats are used to connect electric matches to the power source of an firing system. Each slat can accomodate up to 10 firing cues. Any cue can in turn, consist of from 1-50 electric matches if you use our CD firing systems and fresh batteries. Slats are normally placed within a few feet of the pyrotechnic device(s) to be fired. You can quickly and easily connect electric matches or lead wires to our slats--no wire twisting, no lugs, no screws etc. Just push each lever down - insert the wire - release the lever. Contains ten pairs of audio style connectors, one pair for each cue. 1 inch thick by 3 inches wide by 8 inches long and constructed of heavy-duty printed circuit board to provides reliable wiring. Mounted on a wooden platform for support and durability. Each cue is labeled in large white numerals which makes it easy to see in the dark. Uses a DB25F connector for input from GN6080 cable. Redundancy is built in by providing two pins per signal and five pins for ground.