17 replies to this topic

[PYRODUDE!!!]

Hi guys, i'm a complete beginer in this topic and want to make the most simpliest, easiest homemade firework there is. But I dont know how, I was wondering if anyone could help me. Possibly by telling me what chemical's I would need, where I can get hold of some, and how to make it. I was thinking about making a banger, fountain or a roman candle, but i'm not sure if they are easy to make. Thx guys!

[sizzle]

Bangers are simple devices but on this forum we do not support the making of such devices, Fountains are the best thing to begin with, they can be made quickly and easily and do not require much tooling. To make one you simply cap one end of a tube, fill it with your fountain composition and then lightly compress the composition with a peice of dowling the same ID as the tube, when you have roughly 0.5cm - 1cm of space left at the top of the tube you can either fill it with Pollyfilla, wait for it to dry and then make a hole about 5mm in it or cut off a peice of your dowling and make a 5mm hole in it and glue it into your tube. To ignite use either Visco or Blackmatch.

As for chemicals, for a basic Gold or Silver fountain you can use:

Charcoal
Sulphur Powder
Potassium Nitrate
Aluminium Powder
Iron Fillings
Black Powder

You can purchase all but black powder from either: thegreenman.me.uk or inoxia.co.uk

Good luck, if you need any more information please PM me and I can link you to a Fountain-making guide.

[Maineiac]

Here's a thought...as you admittedly know nothing of pyrotechnics (I commend you for putting this forth), spend some money on texts before you buy your first chemical. Knowledge is power and in this hobby it gives you the power to keep your fingers, eyes and ears. Trust me, you'll want to keep all of these. There are numerous threads this forum and on rec.pyrotechnics regarding texts which are suitable for beginners. This will be money well spent I guarantee. A quick search will reveal many of these. If you can't afford these texts then you can't afford pyro. Not meaning to sound harsh, just being honest. The internet can be a valuable source of information but be careful. There are many pages out there that are nothing but garbage that will get you hurt. A good web resource is Passfire.com. Not cheap but worth every penny I assure you. All the info is top notch and well written.
As far as projects to start out with, fountains are probably the best in my humble opinion. Then you can move along to making cut stars and mines. Shells will come in time but there's much to learn. You need to learn much about the interaction between chemicals as well as proper mixing, dampening and forming techniques. Too, you'll want to read to give you some idea of what you want to do. I've seen time and again people get into the hobby and spend a mess of money on things that really don't interest them. Ponder what you like and work towards that. If you like rockets I can promise you'll giggle like a schoolgirl the first time one of your motors takes flight. All the chems you get for fountains and stars will be useful as you move along. Myself I like rockets and Italian style canister shells. Mines are a nice diversion when they get into the larger sizes and a nice way to burn up excess stars and things that just didn't quite work out.
Above all stay safe. Think before you do as the hobby needs to furnish no fodder for our detractors.

Stay Green!

Edited by Maineiac, 19 November 2005 - 03:29 PM.

[Richard H]

Comrade Maineiac speaks wise words. Buy all the books you can afford, understand the materials you are working with, and then go and try your first project.

[PYRODUDE!!!]

Ok that's fine, I do have some basic skills, but i'm taking your advise and buying all the books I can afford. However I would prefer to buy these books in stores, as my dad does not trust the internet that much. If I can buy some in stores, please let me know.
When I made my first firecracker, it diden't work. I geussed it was the poor chemicals I used. (salt and powdered charcol mixed.) But mostely it was the fuse that was the problem, I used, my Yo-Yo string. It burned but went out after 3 secs. So I made some more Flash Powder dipped my Yo-Yo string in glue, then dipped it in the powder, and tried it out. The fuse worked a little better but the devise dident explode. So my first project did not work.

[Richard H]

Stay well away from anything like that. By the way, mixing common salt and charcoal will not result in a pyrotechnic effect!

[fishy1]

Stay well away from anything like that. By the way, mixing common salt and charcoal will not result in a pyrotechnic effect!

i know, why do people think stuff like that works, i had a friend who told me today that if he mixed icing sugar and caster sugar it would explode. ah, how he was wrong.

[karlfoxman]

We all start somewhere but that did make me chuckle, play safe and dont do anything until you know exactly what you are doing and what might happen. Just tested some lovely very bright white stars, using antimony, kno3, sulphur and dextrin binder...damn bright stars!!!

[Maineiac]

You'll be able to order the books you need through book stores but most won't stock them. From your last post you've made it clear that you need to read. A lot. Just a quick note on flash powder...my brother suffered 2nd and 3rd degree burns on his face and neck from just a small pile (maybe 2-3 grams) of flash powder some years ago when he was a teen. The doctors were all amazed that his eyes survived the heat blast. Having seen the large chunks of flesh sloughing off of his face instilled in me a deep seated respect for this composition. We were able to buy flash powder over the counter back then and it's a wonder no one else was seriously hurt. Sometimes things change for the better. Remember, you like your fingers.

[Frozentech]

Ok that's fine, I do have some basic skills, but i'm taking your advise and buying all the books I can afford. However I would prefer to buy these books in stores, as my dad does not trust the internet that much. If I can buy some in stores, please let me know.
When I made my first firecracker, it diden't work. I geussed it was the poor chemicals I used. (salt and powdered charcol mixed.) But mostely it was the fuse that was the problem, I used, my Yo-Yo string. It burned but went out after 3 secs. So I made some more Flash Powder dipped my Yo-Yo string in glue, then dipped it in the powder, and tried it out. The fuse worked a little better but the devise dident explode. So my first project did not work.

Most of the reference books you need to read are not found in stores, due to low demand and limited print runs. There are reputable internet sellers though. You can find some on amazon.com, and Skylighter carries a good selection of pyro books. Learn a little basic chemistry ( you don't need a deep understanding, just enough to recognize hazardous reactions and some about oxidation and fuels).

Stay Green !

[Ghost_Walker]

i would recommend Introduction to Practical Pyrotechnics by Tom Perigrin...you can buy it from Skylighter.com
for around 50 USD....this takes you step by step...and explains everything....

http://skylighter.co...ks/beginner.htm

[adamw]

Pyrodude, no disrespect intended, but it is essential that you have a basic knowledge of simple pyro-related chemistry (knowing the properties of fuels, oxidisers, catalyists, the effect of particle size, physical state ie solid / liquid / gas, energy etc etc). Most of this can be found in basic chemistry and physics books, and a lot of pyro books also explain these things.

[PYRODUDE!!!]

Thx, i'm studying alredy.

[Von Bass]

can i steal the forum and ask one of the pyro bosses, would salt, sodium chloride, work as a yellow colouring agent? thanx for any information. Where did you get the information for your 'flash powder' pyrodude?

[PYRODUDE!!!]

Well I registered to Rotten Eggs.com, and someone made an egg (thread) about how to make easy flash powder, and there it was.