4 replies to this topic

[njc]

Hi chaps (and ladies). I stumbled across the forum when I was reading up on triiodine nitride on Google. Before you all start worrying I don't want to make it, I've passed that stage in my life and my interests are purely in reading!

My name's Neil and I'm 28. I live in Gloucestershire. I've always had an interest in this kind of thing, but when I was 18 it got me into a lot of trouble. I made up a 10kg mix of sodium chlorate, sugar and sulphur and stuffed the lot into an old ammunition box. I drilled a hole in the top and shoved a sparkler in as a fuse. Then I proceeded to carry it to a local hotel which had a big garden (the most open space and remote area I could find) and lit it! Well, that resulted in 120 hours of community service and a criminal record, so needless to say I haven't bothered experimenting since!

I'm here to find out what I can do legally more importantly safely. After an EOD investigation I was told that the lid of my ammunition box managed to travel over 200m before it hit the ground and if it would have hit me or anyone else it wouldn't have stopped! After all that it's a surprise I want to go anywhere near this kind of thing but I know that if it's done properly and with the right materials it can be perfectly safe and enjoyable.

Not the best of introductions and I'm sure most of you must be wondering whether I'm crazy but I figured I may as well be open about it from the start. I'll be off to read the legal section now and am prepared for some fairly stern replies!

[phildunford]

Well most of us have done some fairly silly things in our time, but not on quite that scale!

If you have learned your lesson and want to know about fireworks, then welcome...

[portfire]

Welcome to the forum Neil.

Thats one BIG silly thing to do, and I hope you want to learn the art and craft of fireworks....MUCH more interesting!

The first thing you'll need to read is MSER, available from the HSE website. Then get some good books (search the forum) on Fireworks

As it's around 10 years i'm not sure whether obtainting licences and going on courses may effect you...

[njc]

Thanks for the welcoming replies so far chaps. I'll look into that document when I have a moment and certainly before I actually do anything! I'm on fairly good terms with my Firearms and Explosives licensing department as I now hold firearm and shotgun certificates and reload my own ammunition. My one big mishap (and you're not wrong, it was big!) was the only clash I ever had with the law and apart from that I've never even had a parking ticket! The law with firearms is that if you have served under 3 years at HM pleasure you may apply and be granted a shotgun or firearm certificate 5 years from your release date, assuming no other crimes have been committed and have good reason to do so. I'd assume explosives are similar. I know I could have a black powder license if I chose to shoot antiques.

I have a big interest in anything like this if I'm honest. You've already read what I was looking up when I found the forum! I think the big difference now though is that I know I can read about it but not do it. When I got charged I thought I would never get my FAC, and shooting was and is my life. That thought really hurt. It may sound funny to people who are against the private ownership of firearms, but they actually force you to stay on the straight and narrow! I know if I slip up again they're gone, maybe for five years or possibly for ever. That's just not going to happen!

Edited by njc, 14 December 2009 - 08:05 PM.

[Arthur Brown]

Welcome to the madhouse!

www.abebooks.co.uk

could well source you books by Lancaster (the Rev. Ron), Takeo Shimizu, Weingart and A St.H Brock

Which should see you a/poor! and b/ with lots of reading.

Should the Society chose to run the Illuminate Consult cat4 course again try to do it.

Keep your E/FLO on side at all times.