12 replies to this topic

[Kimochi]

I am relatively new to pyro and I have already tried making black powder (successfully ).

I was wondering if any of you could give me any tipss for making small bangers or firecrackers out of a KN03 / S / Al formula. I need to know safety precautions, the best known ratios etc.

I have all the materials, my aluminium powder is even 450 mesh! Although my sulphur powder is very powdered down (more than flour), it does test to stick together into small bits. My potassium nitrate is fine.

I live in the UK, so do any of you know where I could buy small tubing and cap ends for firecrackers? Or do I have to go through the same tedious ordeal of making my own as I did when I was using BP?

Thanls for any help/comments.

[sizzle]

Hi Kimochi,

With regards to firecrackers, KNO3, Sulphur and Aluminium will not make flash powder, it makes and impressive fountain but does not burn fast enough at all to make flash powder. You should not be attempting to deal with flash untill you are more experienced with pyrotechnics, judging by the fact you believe KNO3, S and AL will make flash you are not ready to try that yet.

With regards to tubing and end-caps, http://www.pyrotube.com has 4 different sizes of tubes I believe as well as endcaps. Also members of the forum will be willing to sell you tubes I am sure.

With regards to precautions, WHEN you are ready to deal with flash, you should be working outside, using less than 5g (some people would consider even 5g too much) of ingredients, wearing cotton or fireproof clothing and wearing goggles and welding gloves.

PLEASE do not attempt to make flash powder at this point. It is one of the most dangerous compositions in pyrotechnics and is extrememly impact and friction sensitive.

Edited by sizzle, 06 August 2006 - 03:50 AM.

[Rip Rap]

Hi Sizzle & Kimochi,

I am relatively new to pyro

First & foremost - flash DEMANDS respect. It has no conscience & forgives no errors.

you most certainly CAN make flash from KN03, S & Al. As long as your KN03 & S are finely powdered & your Al is fine flake. However, just because you can, doesn't mean that you should. Kimochi - search this forum for all the info you can about flash. You will find the precautionary info you must be aware of!

Unfortunately http://www.pyrotube.com is closed. Nelsons service was excellent. I hope he gets back on his feet soon. Anyway, apart from the very smallest tube they sold, these tubes are far too big to make flash bangers (in my opinion anyway). Just roll your own, small tubes - it's easy (search here again for the info needed). A perfectly loud & relatively safe banger can be made with very small amounts of flash - we're talking tenths of a gram! You don't even need end plugs when using flash. Use the "Hitts" "Flash Cracka" design - search & you shall find.

Personally, I would advise you to make far more interesting devices - fountains or wheels. If you still want to make reports, use your BP

[adamw]

Maybe his service was closed because, contrary to his requirements and wishes, people were using the tubes to make salutes as you suggest.

So now I can't get those tubes to use as spolettes!

[Frozentech]

Maybe his service was closed because, contrary to his requirements and wishes, people were using the tubes to make salutes as you suggest.

So now I can't get those tubes to use as spolettes!

No, he is temporarily out of business due to non-pyro related personal events in his life.

Edited by Frozentech, 07 August 2006 - 02:02 AM.

[Rip Rap]

So now I can't get those tubes to use as spolettes!

Hi AdamW,

http://www.pyrocreat...com/paper_tubes sell the 1/4" tubes (I presume those are the ones you want for spolettes). They aren't as good quality as the ones Nelson sold (they have thinner walls) but would still be adequate for spolettes. Just so that you know - the service isn't as quick as Nelsons either. Typically you will wait about 2 weeks for your order to the UK.

[Andrew]

A perfectly loud & relatively safe banger can be made with very small amounts of

You've guessed it, BP.

Anyone can make a banger using flash. Kimochi you obviously pride your self on good practices, you have after all made high quality BP. Why not use it to make good reports. It's safer than flash as well.

One project I would suggest is try to make grain powder. This is very very rewarding, compared to mixing some flash up. And you can archive just as good a ?bang? with good grain powder as with flash.

[The Swedish Scientist]

I am relatively new to pyro and I have already tried making black powder (successfully ).

I was wondering if any of you could give me any tipss for making small bangers or firecrackers out of a KN03 / S / Al formula. I need to know safety precautions, the best known ratios etc.

There is a reason accelerated flash powders (flash with sulphur) are called "death mixes". They are extremly sensitive and unreliable, and may ignite for virtually no reason at all. They are feared by even the most experienced pyros.

Stay away from sulphur. To get a louder bang make a bigger report (firecracker).

[pyromaniac303]

Stay away from sulphur. To get a louder bang make a bigger report (firecracker).

I agree with not using sulphur, but not so sure about using larger tubes. That would mean needing more flash which can only increase the danger.

One thing you can do quite easily and at very little extra cost is roll the cases slightly thicker to provide more enclosure, it also means you can use less comp. Very useful for aerial salutes, my aerial salute casings are usually 1/4" wide, 1" long (at least half of that is end plugs) and 1/16" to 1/8"" thick walls. There is no point in piling loads of flash into a giant tube with only 0.1mm walls when you can probably get the same effect from a tiny tube with much thicker walls.

[Pyromaster2003]

www.pyrotubes4europe.com - the 1/4 inch ID tubes with solid 2 mm walls makes VERY loud bangers with only 0.5 grams of standard flash. See video link bellow for demo.



Think of the noise that made if it did that to the board!

Edited by Pyromaster2003, 16 March 2007 - 12:30 AM.

[cplmac]

You might want to add some boric acid to that mix. Nitrate and Aluminum react.

[defective]

Hi Sizzle & Kimochi,
First & foremost - flash DEMANDS respect. It has no conscience & forgives no errors.

you most certainly CAN make flash from KN03, S & Al. As long as your KN03 & S are finely powdered & your Al is fine flake. However, just because you can, doesn't mean that you should. Kimochi - search this forum for all the info you can about flash. You will find the precautionary info you must be aware of!

Unfortunately http://www.pyrotube.com is closed. Nelsons service was excellent. I hope he gets back on his feet soon. Anyway, apart from the very smallest tube they sold, these tubes are far too big to make flash bangers (in my opinion anyway). Just roll your own, small tubes - it's easy (search here again for the info needed). A perfectly loud & relatively safe banger can be made with very small amounts of flash - we're talking tenths of a gram! You don't even need end plugs when using flash. Use the "Hitts" "Flash Cracka" design - search & you shall find.

Personally, I would advise you to make far more interesting devices - fountains or wheels. If you still want to make reports, use your BP

hi i was searching the net today and found you can roll your own tubes using that brown wrapping paper, i cant remember the name of the site but im sure youll find some instructions if google what your looking for.

[Wyvern]

The best stuff i have found is wallpaper backing, it needs far less turns than wrapping paper and with PVA glue i found they set absolutely rock hard so hard in fact that your endplugs need to be about an inch thick and pressed as ramming doesnt generate enough preassure