11 replies to this topic

[AdmiralDonSnider]

For blackmatch manufacture it is common to use multiple strands and diverse authors recommend buying 8-strand cotton string for this purpose, like the one seen here: http://www.instaware...ne.twi8.0.7.htm

Unfortunately I didn´t manage to find such string in Europe (I´m sitting on the main land). Maybe you know some sources (doesn´t matter if in the UK or mainland). What string do you use to make your match?

Thanks!

[spanner]

IMHO, you really don't want a cotton/poly blend for making black match. Crochet string that's 100% cotton, size 10 works very good and should be readily available to you locally.

Edited by spanner, 13 December 2008 - 01:35 PM.

[Mortartube]

I have heard that candle wick works well, but have never tried it. Candle making craft shops would be a good place to get a small amount to test.

[AdmiralDonSnider]

Yes, I now realized that the twine seen on the link is not pure cotton.

Regarding the crochet string - is that something showing multiple strands, cause I think you want multiple strands for match?!

[spanner]

The #10 crochet string I'm looking at consists of three separate, very small diameter pieces twisted to combine into one piece.

I should add that #10 is fairly small. Two to four pieces of this size black match can be twisted together then dried if a larger diameter is desired. One piece alone works for many applications as is.

There are those who recommend using single-strand string, others who use multi-strand. This size is a median point between the two, in that it takes the BM slurry well yet has three strands.

Edited by spanner, 13 December 2008 - 04:39 PM.

[Arthur Brown]

I've seen and used commercial shells with single string and multi string QM leaders. The string doesn't burn! So really it's everything ELSE that matters. (Powder and binder and method)

Single string leaders tend to show the BM core as the slow match time element, multi string leaders tend to use visco if they offer a time delay.

Remember that the burning powder is slow til you tube it and confine the flame front then it is very fast

[portfire]

IMO as long as the string is 100% cotton and around 2mm you should be fine, it's the process of making BM that counts. I have 3 types of match that I make, each depends on the application I intend to use it in....I won't go into them, though check out my cake thread for a QUALITY match

[crystal palace fireworks]

There is 100% cotten crotchet string (size 10) 411 metres long - available on ebay at £4.75, but I don`t know how many seperate strand of twine it is made up of!

[cooperman435]

Try contacting weaving suppliers as I went to a local one and got 2 full rolls of cotton fine string to try with. There probably a few KM each and I've still got them almost full actually!

Attached Thumbnails

• 

Edited by cooperman435, 14 December 2008 - 11:00 AM.

[knackers]

do you guys have a cheap shop ie:- cheap as chips, the reject shop, we do over here and they stock 100% cotton string under the name Zenith, "cotton shop twine", its 10 ply x 2mm OD and comes in 75 mtr rolls in a cardboard box and costs about 2 bucks, its perfect for bm / qm

[icarus]

boil the string to remove chem residues it fluffs up ,also to make it very soft put it wet into freezer as it freezes the expanding ice xtals soften the cord. I sometimes use a saltpetre solution on the string prior to black match production .CMC binder is a wonderful thickener if the string smoulders not melts before any treatment its not polymer based and is perfect! I use string from wilkinsons or wickes on uk mainland

[seymour]

Quote

IMO as long as the string is 100% cotton and around 2mm you should be fine

While I do use cotton, and prefer it for making BM, I do not agree that cotton is necessary. I have used Hemp and Jute with no problems, and some commercial QM I have had a little nosey around with used string that was definitely not cotton. I do recommend that it is 100% natural fibres though, for several reasons. Firstly, the BP is more likely to bond with the string, thus removing one reason that "flakey match" may have been created. Secondly, it avoids that nasty burning plastic smell. Thirdly, this hobby already contributes it's fair share of nitrogen and sulfur oxides (among other pollutants) to the environment, we should not make it any worse by using AVOIDABLE materials (plastic, lead shot ect) when the biodegradable alternatives are out there, and almost always have superior performance.

Off topic rant over

I use cotton cooking string from the supermarket, it is cheap (NZ$2 - £0.70ish for 75m) and is just nice to handle. However the key to getting blackmatch, as opposed to "smouldermatch" or "flakeymatch" is to use fairly good meal (just whatever you use for other applications, but not necessarily your prize balsa supermeal), add a MINIMUM of water to get it into a thick soup (someware between 45-55% of the weight of the meal), and using a good binder. If you find that your homemade dextrin creates flakey black match and soft stars, instead of using more and slowing things down, you can either spend long hours trying to get it working better, or go out and buy a superior binder.

No, I'm not in the Gum Arabic industry, but yes, it is a great binder (as is SGRS)

Quote

The string doesn't burn! So really it's everything ELSE that matters. (Powder and binder and method)

I agree. You could use fireproof string and it would still work fine.