How to make fake fire for cosplay?

Materials Needed

• PVC folder (red or orange)
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks
• Foam sheet (preferably yellow or orange)
• LEDs (red, yellow, or orange)
• Resistor (10 ohms)
• 10V battery
• Switch
• Crystal buttons or a transparent ball
• Tulle fabric (red, orange, yellow)
• Paint (optional, for additional color effects)
• Bottle cap or any flat lid
• Soldering iron and solder
• Scissors and craft knife
• Heat gun (optional, for shaping foam)
• EVA foam (for base structure)

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Creating the Flame Structure

Using PVC Folder and Foam Sheets

1. Cutting the Flames:
   1. Start by cutting flame shapes out of the PVC folder. These should be irregular and varied in size to mimic the natural look of fire. Use red or orange PVC for the best effect.
   2. Next, cut similar flame shapes out of the foam sheet. These will add depth and dimension to your prop.

2. Shaping the Flames:
   1. Use a heat gun to gently heat the foam pieces. This will allow you to bend and shape them to look more like natural flames. Be careful not to overheat and burn the foam.

3. Assembling the Flames:
   1. Attach the foam flames to the PVC flames using a hot glue gun. Layer them to create a three-dimensional effect.

Using Tulle Fabric

1. Cutting the Fabric:
   1. Cut strips of tulle fabric in red, orange, and yellow. These strips should be of varying lengths and widths.

2. Creating the Base:
   1. Take a bottle cap or any flat lid and glue the tulle strips around the edge. Layer the colors to create a gradient effect from red at the base to yellow at the tips.

3. Shaping the Fabric:
   1. Use a hot glue gun to attach the tulle strips to each other, shaping them to look like flickering flames.

2. Adding LEDs for Realistic Lighting

Wiring the LEDs

1. Preparing the LEDs:
   1. Take your red, yellow, or orange LEDs and solder a 10-ohm resistor to the positive terminal of each LED. This will prevent the LEDs from burning out.

2. Creating the Circuit:
   1. Connect the LEDs in series, ensuring that the positive terminal of one LED is connected to the negative terminal of the next. This will create a continuous circuit.

3. Adding the Switch and Battery:
   1. Solder the switch to the end of the LED series, and then connect the switch to the 10V battery. Make sure all connections are secure and insulated to prevent short circuits.

4. Testing the Circuit:
   1. Turn on the switch to test the LEDs. They should light up, providing a flickering flame effect.

Integrating LEDs into the Flame Prop

1. Attaching LEDs to the Structure:
   1. Use hot glue to attach the LEDs to the base of the flame structure. Position them so that the light shines through the PVC and foam flames, illuminating them from within.

2. Hiding the Wires:
   1. Conceal the wires by running them along the back of the flame structure and securing them with hot glue or tape. Ensure that the wires do not obstruct the light from the LEDs.

3. Creating the Base and Handle

Using EVA Foam

1. Cutting the Base:
   1. Cut a piece of EVA foam to serve as the base of your flame prop. This should be large enough to support the flame structure and house the battery pack.

2. Attaching the Flame Structure:
   1. Use hot glue to attach the flame structure to the EVA foam base. Make sure it is securely fastened.

3. Creating a Handle:
   1. Cut a strip of EVA foam to serve as a handle. Attach it to the base using hot glue, ensuring it is sturdy and comfortable to hold.

Incorporating the Battery Pack

1. Creating a Compartment:
   1. Cut a small compartment into the EVA foam base to house the battery pack. Ensure it is easily accessible for battery replacement.

2. Securing the Battery Pack:
   1. Place the battery pack into the compartment and secure it with hot glue or tape. Make sure the switch is also accessible.

4. Adding Final Touches

Painting and Detailing

1. Adding Color:
   1. If desired, use paint to add additional color and detail to your flame prop. You can use red, orange, and yellow paint to enhance the look of the flames.

2. Creating Highlights:
   1. Use a lighter color to add highlights to the edges of the flames, giving them a more dynamic and realistic appearance.

Testing and Adjusting

1. Final Testing:
   1. Turn on the LEDs and test the flame prop in a dark room. Make any necessary adjustments to the positioning of the LEDs or the shape of the flames to achieve the desired effect.

2. Ensuring Stability:
   1. Ensure that the flame structure is securely attached to the base and that the handle is comfortable to hold. Make any final adjustments to improve stability and comfort.

Tips and Tricks

• Safety First: Always be cautious when using hot glue guns, soldering irons, and heat guns. Work in a well-ventilated area and use protective gear as needed.
• Experiment with Materials: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different materials to achieve the desired effect. You can use cellophane, tissue paper, or even plastic bottles to create different types of flames.
• Customize Your Prop: Tailor your flame prop to match the specific character you are cosplaying. For example, use blue fabric for a magical blue flame or green fabric for a mystical green fire.
• Practice Makes Perfect: Creating a realistic flame prop can take some practice. Don’t be discouraged if your first attempt isn’t perfect. Keep experimenting and refining your techniques.

Inspiration and Resources

Conclusion