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Other Stuff => Workbench => Topic started by: Captain Blood on 06 February 2017, 08:36:19 PM

Title: Hamster wool for smoke?
Post by: Captain Blood on 06 February 2017, 08:36:19 PM
When I first started wargaming, long, long ago, in a galaxy far, far away, I used to use generous clumps of 'small pet wool bedding' as smoke... It came in a myriad of colours, including - usefully - various greys as well as black (obviously for the more uber-cool, discerning gerbil).
Every pet shop used to have bags of the wretched stuff in a multiplicity of colours - including, I recall, multi-coloured. Very psychedelic. Mind you, this was the 1970s.

Now I actually need some, I can't seem to find the stuff anywhere - other than in hideous pastel pinks and blues (or white).

Anyone got a UK source?
Title: Re: Hamster wool for smoke?
Post by: snitcythedog on 06 February 2017, 10:26:10 PM
Anyone got a UK source?
I have only seen the lovely pinks.  I made my own in the end by untwisting yarn and brushing out with a wire dog brush.  It worked fine, but is fiddly to make. 
Snitchy sends.
Title: Re: Hamster wool for smoke?
Post by: Emir of Askaristan on 06 February 2017, 10:48:58 PM
All the hamster stuff I've seen is pastel

I use Kapoc - the stuffing for toy animals.
Having a dog who occasionally tears open his toys means I have a never ending, if infrequent, supply.

This stuff is available from craft shops and of course, from children's toys, but it's best to pick these up from charity shops, not children, and refrain from rippling the heads off until you get home!! ;D

Seriously though this stuff puffs and teases out to any shape. Mine sees heavy use as musketry markers and the occasional burnt building or vehicle.
Title: Re: Hamster wool for smoke?
Post by: Elk101 on 06 February 2017, 10:54:05 PM
We use grey hamster bedding for all our blackpowder smoke needs too. I'd read that most places had stopped selling it now as the stuff they used to use was bad for them if swallowed. We have some at each person's house who hosts games and it's well used.