Introduction: Alcohol Powered Flamethrower

About: I enjoy building things which i need or want, like coilwinders, coilguns, laser burners ect. I am into a bit of everything, electronics, programming, animating ect.

HI
This is my flamethrower i built over the last few days, a prototype for the next one i intend to make. All it is in a simple $3 water pump off ebay, a spark gap igniter, for providing a constant arc , which can only be obtained through purchasing off me or sparkfun, a spray can spray nozzle and some plastic tubing. Not forgetting the most important thing, a generic hollow kids plastic machine gun toy, which provided structure for everthing. but really it just has to sit in there unsecured and it works fine. Also theres the berocca performance container which makes a good fuel tank for just enough flame before i need to refuel, while not so much a fire hazard is particularly serious.

The whole thing is pretty simple to construct, once i have another gun, and motor, ill write a more detailed guide on building one of these from any old gun, as well as a 3D printed design that will incorporate these components perfectly.

I intend to write two instructables later on how to make one, one out of any toy  gun and also one out of any generic plastic gun.
The fuel unfortunately and fortunately is restricted to methylated spirits, which doesnt burn very hot or very bright, whats worse is any gasoline or petroleum product will contain benzene or other nasty hydrocarbons which dissolve the plastic pump, so to give the flame more colour i have to add glycerin which works rather well as making the whole thing red, as well as setting things on fire rather than just blanketting stuff with flames.

Adding some copper solution to the alcohol is what turns the fire semi green in the last picture, i was able however to get it 100% green at one point by saturating the solution.

The picture of the opened flamethrower doesnt have any of the parts yet in it, other than the motor.

PM me or comment if you want to know specifically where to obtain all the parts.