11 replies to this topic

[dogsbody]

If I am right in thinking, sticky match is basically sellotape with BP on it??

what is it actually used for? will it light visco

looking at lighting a number of rockets (ie 5-10) almost simultaneoulsy,

is this any good and if so, do i take it it is best to foldthe tape but ensure there is an air gap for the bp to burn (ie run along all 10 rockets and then fold up) so i can just light one end and retire and off they all go?

if not, what are its uses?

many thanks

[Mortartube]

So called sticky match started out life as Tapematch invented by John Wraige of Solar Pyrotechnics in 1986. It was and is a UK made and invented product. It is a strip of clear sellotape with a band of granular blackpowder running along the centre third of the tape. the outer edges are left with no powder on them so the tape can be folded for instance over the top of a lance with the gunpowder over the lance priming and the tape down each side. The tape between lances is folded down the centre and stuck together so the blackpowder is contained and some resistance from damp and sparks is obtained. Tapematch is pretty much self consuming and leaves no debris.

Variations were made, a more waterproof version with a heavy paper tape, like gummed paper tape was also made. The paper tape was left almost intact after firing and could often be picked up in one length for disposal.

A variation on the sellotape Tapematch included fine titanium mixed in with the BP to produce a silver flash upon ignition.

Some time later an American company adopted the Tapematch idea but stuck another piece of clear tape of a lesser width than the original tape, face down over the BP train.

Like putting two bits of sellotape together face to face with their sticky sides together. This offers some added protection from moisture.

Unfortunately John Wraige did not patent his idea but he did copyright it, so the Americans filed a patent and called it sticky match. Sticky match is essentially Tapematch with another piece of clear tape covering the gunpowder.

Tapematch was made by Wells fireworks when I worked there and I believe that it is still made there. I believe that only the sellotape version is now available.

Tapematch precedes the American product by a few years and it deserves to be recognised as a British invention.

It will light Chinese visco and blackmatch and BP primed items such as lances and gerbs etc.

It is light, fairly cheap and unlike quickmatch totally self consuming. On the minus side it is less waterproof than waterproof quickmatch

[phildunford]

There is a description of how to make it here:

Dan Williams

Using one of Dan's Heath-Robinson machines!

I've played about with short lengths of it. The only problem with the 'standard' product is that I imagine it would ignite easily from stray sparks.

Edited by phildunford, 14 October 2008 - 08:17 AM.

[pyrotechnist]

Tapematch was made by Wells fireworks when I worked there and I believe that it is still made there. I believe that only the sellotape version is now available.

So is Tapematch still made within the UK? and, sorry for being dumb just woke up, but with you saying 'I believe it is still made there' is there another Wells factory that is still open ? or do I need to just go back to sleep lol.

[scjb]

So is Tapematch still made within the UK? ... is there another Wells factory that is still open ?

Wells still manufacture pyrotechnics and various fireworks bits. If you have a look at the site below, there's a downloadable pricelist...

Wells Fireworks

[Mortartube]

When the original Wells closed down ( at Dartford), a former employee began his own firework factory and bought the name. He called it Wells Fireworks (Dartford) Ltd. Confusingly the factory was in West Sussex.

The factory later moved to a new location about a mile and a half from the original. It was sold to the same people who run the company Pyro Junkies and it is still in their ownership AFAIK. Wells mainly supply theatrical stage pyrotechnics and supply and fire pyros on many concerts etc.

I worked for Wells Fireworks (Dartford) Ltd from 1990 to 1998 in a manufacturing capacity, not full time but as and when I was needed.

I very much enjoyed my time there and I was mainly engaged in the manufacture of portfires, although I was also involved in the manufacture of shells, stars and comets. Waterfall sticks, lances, silver jets and mines and many other items.

[scjb]

I worked for Wells Fireworks (Dartford) Ltd from 1990 to 1998 in a manufacturing capacity, not full time but as and when I was needed.

Out of interest Mortartube, have I met you at the Brighton Centre on a gig?

[Mortartube]

Very likely. Girls aloud I think it was. Do you work for Wells now and do the concert pyro?

Edited by Mortartube, 15 October 2008 - 10:49 AM.

[Gigantic Crab!!!]

Gigantic Crab!!! says: sticky match spits melting plastic everywhere, which is an inconvenience to remove from one's exoskeleton, but could surely cause nasty burns to puny human flesh. Cover up or Gigantic Crab!!! will laugh at your self imposed misfortune.

[pyrotechnist]

Lol, sorry to go off topic but Gigantic Crab why on gods earth do you put this on each post 'Gigantic Crab!!! Says:' ? very weird posts I must say.

Back on topic: Do you have any Google map reference to the new factory site by anychance Motortube? and when you worked there did you make fireworks for pro use or general public?

Edited by pyrotechnist, 22 October 2008 - 01:59 PM.

[Gigantic Crab!!!]

Gigantic Crab!!! says that it was a genuine post about safety amongst inexperienced amateurs, and that the format is of no consequence.
OF NO CONSEQUENCE I TELL YOU!!!

[Mortartube]

I don't have the Google reference to the new factory. If I find it I will PM it to you. I am sure at this time of year, they wouldn't want just anyone to be able to find out where the factory is located in case of petty theft attempts.

We made cat 4 stuff mainly with the exception of portfires. Yellow portfires with touchpaper and a resin handle in the tube. They were often branded for many companies. They all looked pretty much the same but with a different company name on.

We did buy stuff in and fuse multiple candles etc together to make cat 3 batteries. But we didn't do a lot of that.

The mainstay of the factory was gerbs, portfires, tapematch and lances, until we started making more stage pyro such as silver jets and flutter fetti cartridges etc.