633 replies to this topic

[Creepin_pyro]

http://www.ukrocketr...ded&show=&st=

This thread should clarify things for you.

[matthew]

and what are their units?

All measurements in pyrotechnics are in weight not volume unless otherwise stated.

And what are their units

[Creepin_pyro]

They are ratios, so you can make the units whatever you want. Try reading the thread I pointed you towards!

[Rhodri]

and what are their units?
And what are their units

Hi Matthew

Are you asking how mass is quantified?

If so, it's g's and Kg's. For pyro use a good ratio for BP is 75:15:10.

This works out in practical terms as 75 g: 15 g: 10 g OR 75 Kgs : 15: Kgs : 10 Kgs, etc.

As long as the unit of weight is consistent with the ratio all is well. It's a matter of scale.

Does this help?

[matthew]

Hi Matthew

Are you asking how mass is quantified?

If so, it's g's and Kg's. For pyro use a good ratio for BP is 75:15:10.

This works out in practical terms as 75 g: 15 g: 10 g OR 75 Kgs : 15: Kgs : 10 Kgs, etc.

As long as the unit of weight is consistent with the ratio all is well. It's a matter of scale.

Does this help?

Thankyou for your help.

I found a formula of a blue star in this topic that is

ammonium perchlorate-70
copper oxide-30
Red gum-15

they are grams?

[RegimentalPyro]

They could be grams. They could be kilograms. They could even be oz's or lbs.

So long as the *ratio* of the ingredients adhere's to the formula [ie: you use the same units consistantly within the formula] then it will work.

However for most cases I should use grams.

NB: If you are trialling a new comp then I usually use tenths of a gram as it is less wasteful if things go wrong.

[matthew]

They could be grams. They could be kilograms. They could even be oz's or lbs.

So long as the *ratio* of the ingredients adhere's to the formula [ie: you use the same units consistantly within the formula] then it will work.

However for most cases I should use grams.

NB: If you are trialling a new comp then I usually use tenths of a gram as it is less wasteful if things go wrong.

Thankyou for helping me.

[italteen3]

Just got a few tools in from Wolter today and was thinking what I should fill the cavity in with that my new 3/4" cavity pump makes. Any ideas?

The star is
KNO3 - 54
AF - 8
S - 18
Granular Al - 9
Magnalium - 3
Antimony Sulfide - 3
Dextrin - 5

Wetted 75/25.

Pick a formula you think would go well, no chlorates or ammonium compounds please, and if I have all the chems I will keep you guys updated with pics, drying times, and video of the shoot. Nothing that has to be ball milled, only screened and diapered, as my mill is off for the winter.

Few questions. As this is my first cavity pump/star I'm guessing you let the star dry first, then fill with compatible comp of choice?

For a pic>>>
http://homepage.mac....a...&cty=US?=en

Sorry it took me so long to get the video up been busy with preparations for the 4th! This video is of a 1' comet using the same formula as above. The cavity stars were over wet and sagged so they are a bit fatter and I dont have any tubes with an ID of whatever the saggy stars are . Was pleased with the result but not the desired effect. Bright silver tail but not of a long duration as I had wanted. Would probably make a great tail for a shell but not great for my use in a repeater. Going to go to golds next I will keep you updated.

http://homepage.mac....&cty=US&lang=en right click save as silver comet.mov

[matthew]

hello

i have a question.what is a strobe star?

thanks for any help

[pyromaniac303]

A star that changes continously between smoulder and burn, so it appears to flash until it burns out. They often use sulfates as far as I can tell, and all contain something difficult to get like ammonium perchlorate, magnalium etc, which is why I havent made any yet.

You also have to be careful not to use anything hygroscopic in them, as the moisture will cause the ammonium perchlorate and the metal powder to react exothermically (produce heat) which could make them spontaneously ignite! So avoid copper sulfate. Calcium and sodium seems to be quite hygroscopic too in other salts so I am wondering if that is safe.

I know that calcium chloride is used in moisture traps to dry out rooms, and sodium chlorate weedkiller becomes damp when left in the shed over night, but wondered if it was the -nitrate -chlorate -sulfate type of extension that determined whether it was hygroscopic, or the metal such as sodium and potassium. Does anyone know the answer to this?

Edited by pyromaniac303, 13 June 2006 - 06:30 PM.

[matthew]

hello

i am a beginner in pyro.i want to do my first stars to put them in a canister shell.does any one have any info for making them?

[adamw]

They are called pumped stars, and that's all the help I am giving you. Use the search function, or you will get a warning next.

[BurlHorse]

hello

i am a beginner in pyro.i want to do my first stars to put them in a canister shell.does any one have any info for making them?

Do A Search Here on the Board Matthew, Try these Keywords.....Cannister, Cannister Shell, Italian Shell (S), Maltese Shell(S) Etc, Etc, Etc,

Might I Humbly suggest that you do ALOT of reading or find a Mentor who is close to you and shares the same interests.

There are Alot more resources than you may think, however, Once you find something that strikes your fancy, Verify the source of the info, as there is as Much CR*P Information out there as there is credible info. As for starting Out, Cannister shells may not be your best Thing to start with, Tom Perigrins book is a good starting point as it kind of walks you through things in a logical approach and as you master one thing, he moves you on to more difficult projects.

Your Absolute first concerns and purchases should revolve around safety and proper safety equipment. All chemicals to make green fire are POISONOUS, some more than others, but still poisonous. The simplest white star with just four ingrediants is poisonous (Antimony Trisulphide), All your chemicals will (or should) come with an MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet), Read them, Collect them, staple a copy togeter and put them in the loo for some great tub side reading....

Obviously my point is before your hands see the first bit of black from charcoal, you need to read, learn ask questions, AFTER, you have searched for answers to those questions using the search feature of the forum. But I digress, I really do believe and practice, SAFETY FIRST. If that nagging little voice in your head is screaming.....ya shouldn't oughta be doin this.....LISTEN to it, stop what your doing and find out why your Darwinian Fire Alarm is going off, then if you find out that your safety will not be comprimised by doing whatever, then have fun, the all clear has sounded. If after your research into the nagging voice, you find out that it's really not a good Idea, then PASS on it until you either learn more and it becomes relatively SAFER to do. Do some searchs on safety gear, I have written some long posts before on what the bare minimums are and I am not going to re-write them when they are already here.

IMHO, you should start out by Getting your safety gear in order, meaning bought and adjusted, a place to properly stow them etc. Then you can set out to building or buying a Ball mill and start making 75:15:10 Black Powder First, As BP is used in nearly every phase of fireworks. It really does not take that long to start making passable BP and in a short time thereafter, you will master it. There are many variables in BP and Mastering it is a huge accomplishment!!

Stay GREEN

Best of Luck,

Bear

[matthew]

thanks for that info.

from where i ll go to make a search because i am not an expert in computer?

[Creepin_pyro]

You can use the search function here:

http://www.ukrocketr...act=Search&f=26

rec.pyrotechnics is also a good resource, but be careful not to take everything you read there as gospel - this should apply for all types of research. Just because someone says something is safe, doesn't necessarily mean it is! If you don't know how to access googlegroups, you can get there here:

http://groups.google...cs?lnk=lr&hl=en

I would also suggest that you subscribe to Passfire, and buy some literature.

Good luck, and whatever you do, stay green!

EDIT: whoops - thanks for the correction Stuart.

Edited by Creepin_pyro, 14 June 2006 - 03:30 PM.