2 replies to this topic

[broadsword]

Hi, I am quite new to all this making pyrotechnics and I was after some valuable information! If there are any important things that a beginner should know then please tell me (apart from the obvious safety aspect).

I also have a few other questions,

1. I was reading something on a web site that said that 'Nitrate of Potash' is Potassium Nitrate, is this true and if so is it OK to use in Pyro?

2. I am looking at making a Ball Mill with the aid of my dad and all I need is the media to put inside the pot that I will be grinding my chemicals in. As I am a keen fisherman I am aware that lead weights are not used anymore and I was wondering where I might be able to purchase some? Or other effective media. (I have searched these forums and read about Marbles).

3. I think this must be an on-going struggle for you people that understand this to explain to people like me who don't understand! I am very confused about the whole family of 'perchlorates'. I see they are used in many mixes and was wandering where I could purchase some or how to make it (if it is fairly easy or not to advanced) and again I have searched these forums about all these subjects but I can't seem to understand them!

4. Also what would be a good thing to start making? would small BP bottle rockets? or something else?

Thanks for any help, Ian

Edited by broadsword, 14 November 2004 - 11:32 PM.

[RegimentalPyro]

Hi, I am quite new to all this making pyrotechnics and I was after some valuable information! If there are any important things that a beginner should know then please tell me (apart from the obvious safety aspect).

I also have a few other questions,

1. I was reading something on a web site that said that 'Nitrate of Potash' is Potassium Nitrate, is this true and if so is it OK to use in Pyro?

2. I am looking at making a Ball Mill with the aid of my dad and all I need is the media to put inside the pot that I will be grinding my chemicals in. As I am a keen fisherman I am aware that lead weights are not used anymore and I was wondering where I might be able to purchase some? Or other effective media. (I have searched these forums and read about Marbles).

3. I think this must be an on-going struggle for you people that understand this to explain to people like me who don't understand! I am very confused about the whole family of 'perchlorates'. I see they are used in many mixes and was wandering where I could purchase some or how to make it (if it is fairly easy or not to advanced) and again I have searched these forums about all these subjects but I can't seem to understand them!

4. Also what would be a good thing to start making? would small BP bottle rockets? or something else?

Thanks for any help, Ian

Nitrate of Potash is Potassium Nitrate. The purity of the stuff will determine how sutable it is for pyro.

The milling media has been covered elsewhere in these forums. You should be able to turn up the info by using the search facility wisely. Basicaly ?inch brass rod cut up into ?inch lengths will be OK, as will ?inch lead shot [musket balls]

Perc is quite readlily available [search and ye shall find] , but I would advise against using it just yet. See next answer

I wouldn't start with BP rockets. The order you should try things in is as follows. You should be able to do all these without Perc.

Touch Paper [easy]
Fountains
Drivers
Saxons
Black powder [spend some time getting this right]
Blackmatch and quickmatch
Sugar rockets
BP rockets

[BigG]

There is already a thread for begginers questions. Please post your questions there.