115 replies to this topic

[Stuart]

Hehe, I have no intention of doing that.....yet


Stuart

[Gor]

I haven't got time to check the maths but basic logic says that 137m3 of H2 must weigh more than 6g ????

[miniskinny]

Hm. Well. I was just wondering how to make a naphthalene charge work? I tried one, following the normal instructions, out of a card board mortor, and the thing just acted as a large firecracker . Could anybody explain what happened? I had about 10 grams of BP a the bottom of the tube, a mixture of bp and naphthalene, weighing about 30 grams, and then I used darn near 100 grams of naphthalene on top of that. the fuse went into the gunpowder charge area, and just blew it up, no fireball.

[Stuart]

Then either you have some exceedingly powerful BP or your tube wasn't strong enough. Whenever I do Nap fireballs, I don't even get a thump, more of a quite, low whoosh. I have an article on my site on how I make Nap fireballs if you want to see although I think you just need a stronger tube

[Phoenix]

What was the ID the mortar? If it was too narrow, then the layer of napthalene would be too thick and just stop up the tube. I have never had much of an interest in fireballs, but I tried a 20mm one once, ages ago, and put too much napthalene on top (about 40mm) and the plug just blew out and sent the thing 3m up in the air.

[Dan]

Just be carful with napthalene. if i remember correctly it can cause kidney damage. dont forget the resperator.

[Rhodri]

Keep it away from fish too!

[miniskinny]

I've usually had more luck with butane or propane fireballs, filling a plastic bag with butane, and spraying it into the bag so quickly and upside-down, that liquid butane is at the bottom of the bag. I would put around 15 grams of gunpowder, maybe more if you want your fireball to go farther, placed the butane bag on top, and lit accordingly. It's safer than gasoline or petrol, since I hear the fire doesn't go out in the air, and it hits the ground and has residual flames.

[Richard H]

It depends what the effect is that you are after. Liquid fuels produce a rather wonderful long duration 'rolling' effect, as well as black smoke and residual burning. Dry fuels and gases are often entirely consumed in the fireball, and as such are safer when fire hazards are increased and residual burning is undesired from this standpoint.

[adamw]

A BP/Nap fireball from a 3" mortar

[attachment=1:attachment]

And... my fave fireball effect - my secret blend. I call it the 'Baghdad effect':

[attachment=2:attachment]

[burrelly]

A fireball i have done recently

[Richard H]

Toasty

[paul]

Looks nice :D Was this a gas fireball or a naphtalene fireball?!

[The_Djinn]

My guess would be naphtalene or simular... gass flame doesnt tend to have very dark areas in it.
RichardH... stop drooling, I know what is going through your mind.... we dont want toasted sugar beat

Mark

Edited by The_Djinn, 01 September 2004 - 07:02 PM.

[spawned]

Well whats with all the big jerry cans to the left of it??Common sense