Wiimote Rubens Tube: Control Fire With Sound! (And a Nintendo Wiimote!)

Step 2 Gather the Loot!

With the exception of the tube itself, all of this can be bought from Amazon.com or your local hardware store. Linked from the Wikipedia page you can find examples of other rubens' tube constructions, but I didn't have much luck with those simply because I couldn't come across a lot of the components they used. As I didn't have access to any school's physics department, I had to scrounge for locally available parts, which, in turn works out for you!

I ended up going through 5 revisions trying different propane regulators, tube materials, hole spacings, frequency drivers (speakers), and fittings. Keep in mind that none of these part dimensions are set in stone, but rather just what I found to be the most economically feasible while still producing a great effect.

A note on the tube material itself:

Didn't Work Optimally:
--PVC: (coated with various substances trying to counteract heat and eventual melting) worked for 4-5 minutes or so, and is great in terms of acquiring and drilling, but would turn to jelly after much use.
--Iron Piping: Heated up too easily and retained heat too long wreaking havoc on our end caps; hard to drill
--Ducting: worked acceptably, but optimal effect was not achieved presumably due to rigidity of material and/or shape.

Works but not feasible
--Copper Piping: worked well but hard to find in large diameters, heated up very easily, and is very expensive

Worked best:
--3.5+ ft. x 2" Diameter Aluminum Irrigation Pipe: (thinner is better as its easier to drill the holes). My local hardware stores didn't have anything suitable so I ordered this from Mid Atlantic Irrigation

So! On to the Bounty!

Needed:

--The insatiable urge to play with science and fire

--Aluminum Irrigation Pipe: The meat of the project
Mid Atlantic Irrigation

--Speakers: The Amazon linked ones are the exact speakers actually used- the speaker fits almost perfectly once you take the grill off
Buy from Amazon

--Bernzomatic Pencil Thin Propane Torch: has to be "modified" a bit (discussed more later)
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--Propane
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--1/2 Inch masking Tape
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--Tubing: We used clear Polyurethane but any 3/8" tubing should work
Buy From Amazon

--Drill Press: A normal drill can work, but you have to "dent" where the holes need to be in the tube first so it doesn't slip. The drill press was easiest.
Buy From Amazon

--1/16" Drill Bit
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--Hammer
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--Silicone Sealant
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--Nintendo Wiimote: Only if you're doing the Wiimote integration explained at the end
Buy From Amazon

--Bluetooth Adaptor
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--2" Slip x 3/4" FPT (female pipe thread): Found in the plumbing/PVC section at the local hardware store or Amazon.
Buy From Amazon

--3/4" Elbow MPT (male pipe thread) x 3/8" Insert: Found at Building Supply Store (Home Depot)

--2" by 1 1/2" PVC Reducer Bushing: Found in the plumbing/PVC section at the local hardware store

--Wooden Blocks: can be useful for propping the tube up but are not necessary

--Lighter/Matches

--Software:
SigJenny: Great little program for creating your own sine waves
Mixx: DJ program needed to control the sound track output
GlovePie: Needed for interfacing a Wiimote with Mixx