Wand Workshop

Electricity can be very dangerous and unforgiving. The Violet wand converts dangerous current into a form we can play with safely, well mostly safely.

Before you play with a Violet Wand there are a couple of things you should know about the wand. This is not to scare you but so you can make an informed decision and select the level of risk you are comfortable with.

Many people don’t realize that inside the Violet Wand there is a direct connection from the wall outlet’s Neutral blade to the coil connected to the output. During normal operation, this is perfectly safe. The problem occurs when the outlet is wired incorrectly. You wouldn’t want to connect yourself to the Hot lead of the outlet.

The first thing you should check before plugging a wand in is the outlet’s wiring. This can be done with a small $4 device called a circuit checker. You plug it in and three lights indicate if the outlet is wired correctly. If not, it will indicate the problem. The most dangerous situation is an outlet that has its wiring reversed. The Hot and Neutral are reversed. Many electric devices require a specific polarity as indicated by the larger blade on the plug so it can only be plugged in one way. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 37%

If you tried to use the message boards in the past, you may have experienced issues. I reset the boards so you will need to re-register but I believe we have eliminated the issues with spammers posting all over the boards.

If you have any questions or want to share information, please feel free to post. If you have a comment on an article posted on the WandWorkshop blog site, please post your response to the blog, then you can post in the message boards if you want to discuss the subject further.

Enjoy!

Popularity: 50%

For the past few weeks, we have been experimenting with ways to use a fluorescent tube. We came up with a couple of techniques that we want to share.

I have a small 2-foot long fluorescent tube that is encased in a plexiglass tube making it very tough. My female subject kneels on a padded bench. I place the tube between her legs with the metal prongs of the tube against her skin just above her vagina. I have her hold the other end of the tube at the end but not touching the metal prongs on that end. Using Direct Play techniques, I place a ‘Y’ or ‘U’ shaped glass electrode in the wand. I then place the ‘Y’ or ‘U’ around the tube so it will slide up and down the tube like riding on a track. By moving the energized electrode up and down the tube, I can adjust the intensity of the sensation. I often just move it up and down creating a pulsing sensation. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 26%

If you are new to the Violet Wand or a long term user, your first experience might have been at a Demonstration or ‘Demo.’ If you witnessed a scene that used a Violet Wand and you expressed an interest, you probably received a quick, informal demo so you could see what it felt like.

Either way, what elements should a proper Violet Wand demo contain? This depends on how detailed and advanced the demo is intended to be. That said, the three elements all Violet Wand demos should contain are History, Safety and the three basic techniques. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 33%

Vendor Website Link

Started in 1997, Eclectic Electric, one of the original modern Violet Wand Vendors has announced it will be going out of business. If you have been waiting for a good time to purchase a kit, this might be the time as they are offering closeout discounts. Just look for the code on the site and enter it at checkout.

Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 40%

Wand Workshop is a place for Violet Wand enthusiasts to meet, learn, share, and discuss all things electric.

Whether you like to experiment with high-voltage electronic devices or “play” with electricity, we hope this will become a great place to expand your knowledge, or share your experience with others.

We accept articles from experienced Violet Wand users or questions from anyone.

We are working on a Spam issue with the message boards but hope to have it cleared up soon.

Popularity: 45%

There are currently three manufacturers of Violet Wands in the United States. Two produce wands for the BDSM community while one produces them for industrial purposes. For all intensive purposes, all three are nearly identical in construction and appearance.

Rupert Huse & Son produces a violet wand they claim has an unlimited run-time. Most wands require a cool-down period to prevent the unit from burning up. Their wands are slightly more expensive but the quality is reported by most customers to be top-notch.

Eclectic Electric manufactures a similar violet wand and many unique electrodes including one for internal use. A computer/website issue last year has caused many complains, unfilled orders and other problems but it appears that current orders are being fulfilled quickly.

The industrial manufacturer is Electro-Technic Products Inc. They do not endorse the use of their device for use on people. They may refuse to sell you the device if you call it a violet wand or imply your intended use. They call it the BD-10A High Frequency Generator Testers for Leak Detection. It is essentially the same device sold by the other manufacturers but has the lowest cost of the three.

The BD-10A is the wand you will find in almost all new kits assembled by violet wand retailers in the United States. To identify the manufacturer of your wand, look on the back next to the adjustment knob.

You can visit the website for each company here:
Rupert Huse & Son
Eclectic Electric
Electro-Technic Products Inc.

Popularity: 100%

I recently bought a Treadlite II foot switch manufactured by Linemaster Switch Corporation. It cost about $26 plus shipping and has a single 6 foot cord with a dual plug on the end. You insert this plug into the wall or extension cord, then plug your wand into the back of it. Using a single line like this reduces the cables in your setup.

I purchased the switch for a couple of reasons. First, using the power knob on the back of the wand to turn the power off, as we do to replace electrodes, can wear the adjustment mechanism out prematurely. This is actually mentioned by the manufacturer as an improper way to turn it off. They recommend that the device be unplugged each time you need to swap electrodes.

In electro-play, we all know how inconvenient this would be. Add the bending over to retrieve the electrical plug and you conclude, their must be a better way. The foot switch allows you to just remove your foot from the switch to turn off the power. Switching electrodes was never easier.

Second, safety could be an issue. Using the knob to turn off the power may not always work. Changing the position of the wand can cause slight changes in power level. Tilt the wand wrong after turning the knob to the point of cut-off and you may get a jolt. Unexpected jolts can cause you to drop the wand or worse, injure someone with a prop or electrode. The foot switch cuts the power so there is no way to get that unintended jolt.

Safety can also be enhanced by the foot switch when it is used as a dead-man’s switch. If you were to trip and fall or remove your foot from the switch for any number of reasons, the power is cut. The safety advantage of not having line voltage running to the wand makes the foot switch a must-have item.

An unexpected bonus to having the foot switch made itself know the first time I used it in a scene. I was able to cut the wand on and off without the “Bottom” knowing if the electrode (or myself in Indirect play) was electrified. I was able to slide the wand around until she let her guard down, then “ZAP!” It is a serious mind game.

If you have a violet wand, or plan to purchase one, I recommend a foot switch without hesitation.

Popularity: 48%

The spiral glass electrode is one of the rarer electrodes in a modern kit. A couple of manufacturers make them today but you rarely see them included in a modern kit.

Originally designed in the early 1900s, this electrode was promoted for use on the heart. It was reasoned that electrical therapy on the heart improved function and eliminated heart ailments.

Of course, we know better now. The spiral electrode is similar to the mushroom electrode found in most kits. The sensation it produces is sharper but cooler than a mushroom. The spirals effectively produce about half the surface area of the mushroom in the same space.

You can find spiral electrodes in various colors, depending on the gas and vacuum in the electrode.

If you want to attract a crowd at your next public violet wand demo or scene, the spiral electrode is unique enough to accomplish it.

Popularity: 53%