12 replies to this topic

[Salut151]

Hello everyone,
I tought it could be a good idea to add two new sections on this forum (or 1 if we combine them) These sections are
- A How-to section to teach how to build devices.
And
- A ?show? section where we can put pictures of our devices and videos of them.

Ok here is small devices made in only few minutes. They aren't made to be beautiful I only wanted to test my black powder.

Pictures:

Second one:


And now, few videos of the devices in action

Few Videos
Click on Pyro 013.rar

Any comments ?
Thanks !

Edited by Salut151, 27 August 2005 - 02:08 AM.

[Richard H]

I will decide how best to implement this, as some of it is better suited in the new website for the Society than a forum. Thanks for your suggestions .

Secondly your link is 404'd.

Thirdly, is it wise to test loose powders inside thin metal cans? I think not. It is more conventional to use a powder train in a metal channel or across a sheet of paper, or as a column test in a narrow gun metal tube.

[Salut151]

I will decide how best to implement this, as some of it is better suited in the new website for the Society than a forum. Thanks for your suggestions .

Secondly your link is 404'd.

Thirdly, is it wise to test loose powders inside thin metal cans? I think not. It is more conventional to use a powder train in a metal channel or across a sheet of paper, or as a column test in a narrow gun metal tube.

First, I will try to correct the link

Secundo, Maybie my ?fire-coke? wasn't very wise but it was for my little sister and it doesn't take time to do. What do you think about my first device ? If you can see the video, you can agree that it makes a great fireball.
Maybie it isn't very artistic but it was ?Minute-Maid?.

Thanks for your comment

[pritch]

lol i just think the shear size of your fuse is funny Did you use rope for that?

[RegimentalPyro]

I liked the effect of your devices. The quality and quantity of the sparks especially impressed me - what sort of charcoal did you use?

BUT

I do have a number of issues with your construction and testing techniques.

First of all the coke can as a container for the fountain. Don't do this again please. Metal shrapnel just isn't funny and whilst I doubt your devices are powerful enough to blow even something as flimsy as a coke can apart yet - someday soon they will be.

Rule no 1 = No metal in fireworks

Secondly if I'm not mistaken the coke can fell over towards the cameraman half way through. Did you dig it in or just place it on the ground?

Rule no 2 = Make sure your devices are stable before lighting.

Secondly your fuse is far too short. This has led to you being put in this very dangerous situation



This is your device about to go off with you still lighting it. If it was a leeetle quicker you would be currently be residing in an A&E burns unit. Did you test the burn rate of the fuse before using? If so what delay did you decide was appropriate here?

Rule no 3 = Long fuses when testing. Consider using long strips of touch paper.

Furthermore I see no protective gear. You are not wearing gloves, longsleeves or face protection. That a device is for your little sister is no excuse.

Rule no 4 = Please assume your devices are going to malfunction and take appropriate safety steps before lighting.

Edited by RegimentalPyro, 27 August 2005 - 07:34 AM.

[adamw]

Did I just see a fuse sticking out of a drink can? FOR GOD'S SAKE DONT DO THIS!

If that think blows up it will cut you to ribbons!

[robfir]

- A How-to section to teach how to build devices.

I'm all for this, and would be very grateful if it came to be.

[Salut151]

Did I just see a fuse sticking out of a drink can? FOR GOD'S SAKE DONT DO THIS!

If that think blows up it will cut you to ribbons!

Hum... Maybie it wasn't very bright to use a metal can... I won't do it again. I promise.
I'm currently planning to buy Nomex gloves (they are fireproof).
Yes I use a kind a rope for my fuses (see pic)

And my home-made dry rack:

Some pics of my press, I didn't use it yet because I finished it yesterday and the hydrolic jack that I bought broke.




And I don't use any kind of fuse for testing my black powder.

For RegimentalPyro: Here is one pic where my Charcoal come from:


lol

And the picture you puted of me isn't a device ! It's only BP on the ground. Be sure I won't light any Devices without any fuse. BP is the only exeption for me.
I have safty googles on me take a look of the picture:

Thanks for the rule #4

Any comments ? Do you like when I put lot of pics ? Me, I like seeing pictures.
Thanks a lots for constructive comments

Edited by Salut151, 27 August 2005 - 07:44 PM.

[ProfHawking]

1 - your press
that will never work, mine is similar in design, but i use 2" thick wood blocks. I have now cracked one of them, and intend to get thick steel plate.
Those bits of ply will snap way too easily!

2 - Charcoal
Did you have it in a can in the fire? dont say you just picked bits of wood out of the remains of a bonfire? If so, im amazed how you get those effects.

3 - Googles are good, but you had your whole face over the pile of BP. you cant be too careful doing that.

otherwise, good going, the effects looked good. Esp the fountain before it fell over (or ruptured?)

/added
oh and pictures, yes i agree, worth a thousand words in some cases.

Edited by ProfHawking, 27 August 2005 - 09:35 PM.

[Salut151]

1 - your press
that will never work, mine is similar in design, but i use 2" thick wood blocks. I have now cracked one of them, and intend to get thick steel plate.
Those bits of ply will snap way too easily!

2 - Charcoal
Did you have it in a can in the fire? dont say you just picked bits of wood out of the remains of a bonfire? If so, im amazed how you get those effects.

3 - Googles are good, but you had your whole face over the pile of BP. you cant be too careful doing that.

otherwise, good going, the effects looked good. Esp the fountain before it fell over (or ruptured?)

/added
oh and pictures, yes i agree, worth a thousand words in some cases.

Hello,
Thanks for reply.

1-Ok I will arrange it.

2-Yes, I just picked bits of wood out of the remains of a bonfire. Maybie it's a mix of all the type of wood I use (?)

3- I will take more precautions.
The fountain who rupture was in the metal can. After, the aluminium have all melted
Thanks

And do you like the quality of the images/videos ?

Edited by Salut151, 27 August 2005 - 09:39 PM.

[curious aardvark]

Ah that's nostalgia for you - takes me right back to the days when I'd see how high I could shoot an upturned drinks can with homemade bangers and the amazing chinese ones I used to get.

It was all good fun and I can still count to ten unaided by toes :-) Oh yes, that's right very long fuses :-)
(apart from the little bangers half the size of a matchstick that had about half a second and used to make your fingers numb if you didn't let go in time)
Happy days :-)

Keep at it kid, you'll get there - hopefully with all limbs, organs in tact.
Can I recommend making lots of fuse paper (paper towels soaked in kno3 solution, squeezed out and dried as fast as you can dry them. 2 teaspoons of kno3 to a small dessert bowl half filled with hot water should be good for approx 10-20 sheets of kitchen paper - Fold in half, then half again a couple of times. Dip square till thoroughly wet then squeeze as much of the water out of the wetted folded paper as you can, use rubber gloves obviously) and use twists of that to test your powder. ie: cut into small squares, put small amount of powder in centre of square pull up all four corners and twist together.
You get anywhere from 30 seconds - 2 minutes fuse time and can use much smaller samples of powder. Which is good both for safety reasons and wasting powder reasons. You can use it flat with a small amount of powder in the middle and just light one corner. Or twisted and test the powder in confines.
There are many more uses for good fuse paper as well so make lots :-)
I've succesfully used j-cloths when no paper towls were handy - smells a bit and doesn't hold shape once twisted, but it works if you're in a hurry. :-)

Edited by curious aardvark, 15 September 2005 - 04:41 PM.

[adamw]

You get anywhere from 30 seconds - 2 minutes fuse time

Exactly why you shouldn't use home-made fuse for anthing but the mildest of things (such as testing a very small amount of comp)

30 second to 2 minutes is a very imprecise and potentially dangerous delay.

[1145climber]

yeah, make a how-to section!