How to Make a Fire Wire [Easy Steel Wool Fireworks]

This is an old trick done with fine steel wool to make a huge spiraling shower of sparks. Rapid oxidation of iron contained in the fine strands of steel is an exothermic reaction hot enough to provide the sparks. The process results in black iron oxide (Fe3O4) and red iron oxide (Fe2O3), which is more commonly known as rust. The carbon content found in steel adds to the brilliance of the sparks.

000 or 0000 grade steel wool works best. Any courser and it will not burn properly. If it is fluffed up before igniting it will not burn as long, but it will throw off much thicker sparks. The first two shots in the video show firewires with steel wool that has been fluffed up in this way.

Because these use no self contained oxidizing agents like most fireworks, these are probably legal in most areas - But this does not mean it is smart to use them anywhere. They throw off many hot sparks and should therefore not be used in dry environments. Glasses of some kind are also necessary to avoid any sparks getting in the eyes. A wide brimmed hat or a hood is not a bad idea either to avoid getting spots burned in your hair.

[WouldBeSapient]

Loved this simple little project! The first one fell off but fortunately the others did not after I redid my slipknot. Really cool trick to show off during the 4th with friends

[Nighthawkinlight]

Thanks. I knew they were going to be using the clip, but I expected it to take a while longer.

[.thomasalmeida]

Omg, I just bought 0000 wool the other day for a cleaning project and this video got recommended to me. Freaky mind reading algorithm 😆 now I have options on how to use the rest of the 16 pack of pads. Canada 🇨🇦 day is coming up 🎉🎉🎉

[Nighthawkinlight]

@DIECASTER Yeah I have a good idea of how that could be done, but I don't know if I will bring firearm modification related things onto this channel just because I'm not sure of what laws that may involve.

[Nighthawkinlight]

So the plastic coating doesn't burn.

[SohamDondeisgonnakillyou]

Wow. Such amaze. Much fire. Very beauty.

[TheNickoooshea]

Love the tutorial!
Quick question though, can you do this with an entirely stripped wire?

[francescogonzini]

Thank you for the tutorial, clear and super useful

[Nighthawkinlight]

@SuperNoob1010 Any other wire should do. Some people have used wire clothes hangers, but I don't like that method quite as much.

[BookofMourne]

Imma use this as inspiration as a weapon for a dnd boss, thank you so much kind sir 😅

[kaylabingus]

The house of the dragon ad for this video is pretty fitting lol

[Nighthawkinlight]

@thebowlzack About $3 for 12 pads at walmart. I use 4 pads in my firewires, so about $1 a piece.

[Zarosian_Ice]

no you can do it with practically any type of wire if i'm correct, the copper wire only acts as holding material. it's the fire that makes the fine mesh particals of the steel wool burn or rather glow in very high intensity, i think you could do this with any type of wire, thoo i think its safest doing it with a copper wire

[Nighthawkinlight]

@GlockDropNRoll No, certainly not. There are responsible ways to use something like this, but it must be treated like any other firework or device that uses fire. It is not to be used in dry environments. I give more safety tips in the video description.

[buckwheatrules]

Nice job as usual NH.Keep up the good work!!

[irhads]

i like this. cool and affordable. Thanks!

[juangonzalez]

If you do 2 at the same time it's called poi. Fire poi are fun but steel wool poi are nuts, burned the hell out of my arm when a glob stuck so wear long sleeves.

[plastikpetra]

i have to try that tooo..!! it´s soo stunning!!° thanks for sharing^^

[Parkourazi]

Cool I have been thinking about something like this thank you!

[Yoyamda]

I need your entire stock, I need to finish my blades of chaos