Hire — MACHINESHOP

Industry-Standard Special Effects Equipment Hire for Film, TV, and Events

Welcome to the MACHINESHOP Special Effects Hire Catalogue, the UK’s premier source for professional-grade practical FX equipment. Engineered to meet the rigorous safety and creative demands of high-end feature films, television dramas, commercial product photography, and live staging, our extensive inventory provides production crews with precise atmospheric control and absolute visual reliability on set.

Atmospherics

Choose from high-velocity Viper Smoke Machines, portable Smoke Genies, off-grid Artem Smoke Guns, and our virtually silent, zero-residue Phantom Hazer approved for historic venues. Master airflow and set ventilation using compact Snail Fans, variable-speed double-bladed fans, or heavy-duty 4ft electric and petrol wind machines engineered for large soundstages.

Confetti Dropper

Able to drop confetti of various sizes and shapes
Releases in a slow and regular pattern
DMX controlled

Confetti Cannons

Infinite resets
Portable firing system through compressed air
Filled with a bicycle pump

Confetti

Large range of colours, shapes, sizes and materials available for purchase

Artem Smoke Guns

For exterior use
High smoke output
Powered by gas and oil consumables

Pea Souper

Lightweight and portable
Dry ice powered, low smoke effect
9kg / 20lbs dry ice provides approx. 5 mins of effect
Dry ice must be sourced elsewhere

Low Smoke Machines

Uses de-ionised water and standard smoke fluid
Continuous output achievable after initial heating time

Viper Smoke Machine

Lightweight and portable
Controllable via cabled remote
Can produce a 15m jet of smoke for up to 40 secs at max output

Artem Medium Smoke Machine

For exterior use
Very high volume smoke output
5L capacity
Powered by gas consumables

Rocket Smoke Machine

Lightweight and portable
Quickly dispersing smoke
Non-toxic, thick, dry, white smoke with no residue

Phantom Hazer

Virtually silent
Large output of fine haze which leaves no residue
Approved for use in historic buildings
Requires a technician

Dragon Smoke Machine

Lightweight and portable
Produces persistent smoke
Dispersing smoke or medium hang-time smoke, as required

Steamer

Boils water to create steam effects and rising smoke effects

Smoke Genie

Handheld machine
Powerful and versatile

10 Inch Fan

Small extraction fan
Doubles as a standard fan
16amp power
Single speed

20 Inch Fan

For interior use
Larger than a standard fan
13amp power
3 speed

Double Bladed Fan

16amp power
Variable speed

Snail Fan

Versatile, low profile
Powerful and compact
3 speed

Mini Snail Fan

Lightweight and portable
Low profile and quiet

Makita Blower

Lightweight and portable
Battery or mains powered

Snow Dropper Fan

For interior use
Quiet operation
DMX controlled
Can be used with polythene snow

Grain Blower

Versatile machine
Can put a series of soft objects through i.e. petals, leaves, confetti
Can be hired with hosing

Swirl Fan

Projects confetti in a circular motion
Low noise, localised or spread cover
Can release continuously for approx. 1-3 minutes

2ft Handheld Fan

Lightweight, portable fan with high output
Battery powered
Requires a technician

2.5ft Fan

For interior use
16amp power
Variable speed control

3ft Lightweight Fan

For interior use
16amp power
Variable speed control

3ft Rhino Fan

For interior use
16amp power
Variable speed control

4ft Fan

Quiet, high output
32amp, 3 phase
Requires a technician

4ft Petrol Fan

Extremely lightweight
High output
Requires a technician

Kobweb Spinner

Attaches to a standard electric drill
Kobweb solution sold seperately
Spins out cobweb filaments

Fire

Safely execute practical flame cues using gas-fuelled Flamethrowers, localized Gas Jets, modular Flame Bars, and specialized Heat Haze Rigs designed to project realistic shimmering distortions.

Gas Slinky

Versatile and quick control
Comes in various lengths
For fire places, BBQs, etc

Gas Lances

An extended gas torch
Creates a variety of fire effects (incl. fire balls and fish tails)
Requires a technician

Gas Jets

Gas fuelled
Produces a controlled burst of fire
Requires a technician

Flamethrower

Handheld, gas fuelled
Allows for controlled directional bursts of flames
Requires a technician

Flame Bar

Comes in various lengths and shapes

Heat Haze Rig

Used to create a shimmering distortion
Requires a technician

Fake Logs

Non-flammable
Produces no smoke and lasts all day

LED Embers Kit

A heatless, smokeless, safe alternative to actual fire that can be installed in any fireplace
Ideal for listed buildings
Wireless, battery powered and remote controlled

Liquids

Construct striking aquatic installations and dynamic fluid dynamics with 1.5m wide Water Curtains and specialized Vortex Generators. Control high-volume containment on set using rapid-release Dump Tanks, custom Glass & Acrylic Tanks, and heavy-duty, technician-operated IBC Heated Tanks built to handle up to 1000L of fluid safely.

Swirl Rig

For swirling liquids in camera

Vortex Generator

Generates a swirling vortex

Water Curtain

Rig that creates a 1.5m wide sheet of falling water

Dump Tank

Can be used with water, gunge, balloons, etc

Glass & Acrylic Tanks

Available in assorted sizes

IBC Heated Tank

1000L capacity
Requires a technician

Bubble Machines

Available in small or large sizes

Drum Foam Machine

Produces large volumes of foam in seconds

Drop Pipes

Can be used to drop water, gunge, confetti, etc

Motion

Construct flawless 360-degree shots with motorized product and talent Turntables (ranging from 1ft to 11ft), chroma key green Treadmill Conveyor Rigs, high-capacity Prop Drops, and massive Rotating Room Rigs.

1ft Turntables

Contact for exact dims
Table top turntables for smaller items like products

2ft Turntables

Contact for exact dims
Suitable for a person to stand on
Variable speed
Manual/lazy susan also available

3ft Turntable

Contact for exact dims
Suitable for a person to stand on
Variable speed
Manual/lazy susan also available

4ft Lightweight Turntable

For interior use only
Suitable for carrying objects and people
Manual/lazy susan also available

4ft & 5.5ft Turntables

For heavy duty use, can be used outside
4ft turntable (\~1220mm) can be fitted with 5.5ft top to create a larger area (\~1820mm)
4ft manual/lazy susan also available

7ft & 8ft Turntables

\~2134mm / \~2440mm
Requires technicians

11ft Turntable

\~3550mm
Capable of rotating a whole room
32amp, 3 phase
Requires technicians

Rotating Room Rig

Capable of spinning rooms, cars, corridors up to 4m x 4m x 4m x 4m
Requires technicians

Treadmill/Conveyor

Allows you to walk and run in the same place
Available in Chroma Key green
Requires a technician

Hydraulic Lift Platform

Hydraulicly powered
Smooth and quiet
Can hold up to 400kg

Prop Drops

Controlled release of items
Multiple durabilities available, carrying 25kg all the way up to 2 tonnes (or the weight of a car)

Ball Launcher

Can fire size 5 footballs
Battery powered
Adjustable angle
Can put spin on a ball

Props

We have a large range of one-off items and props in stock. Complete your set layout using our replica Astronaut Helmets, clear acrylic washing machines, and custom Self-Lighting Candles.

Clear Washing Machine

Made from clear acrylic
Drum rotates and can be filled with liquid
Requires a technician

Astronaut Helmet

Based on Orion astronaut program helmet
Modifications considered at a cost

Self-Lighting Candles

Produces a real flame
Remote operated individually to allow for manual sequencing
Requires a technician

Robotic Arm

Manually operated
Claw attachment also available
Requires a technician

Misc Props

We have a large range of one-off items and props in stock which are available to hire, email or call us to enquire

Weather

Create authentic seasonal conditions with our professional Antari Foam Snow Machines, low-volume flurry units, and DMX-controlled ceiling-mounted Snow Dropper Fans. Rig target weather patterns with handheld Rain Lances, linear window Rain Bars and high-volume spinning rain heads.

Antari Foam Snow Machine

Medium volume
With 10m flexible hose to allow the machine to stay on the ground
5L of snow fluid provides approx. 15 minutes of use
Able to create any effect from fine snow to blizzards

Foam Snow Machine

Low volume
Creates easily dispersed snow and flurry effects with its LCD control panel

Rain Lance

Light to medium coverage
Available handheld or on stands

Rain Bars

Creates a row of raindrops in line with a bar
Ideal for windows

Rain Spinners

High volume rain heads
Produces heavy rain in a spinning motion