13 replies to this topic

[burrowman]

Hi there,

Could anyone please advise me as to where you can buy BP over the counter in the Sussex area, I am new(ish) to pyro and want to experiment with rockets, it's just I dont have the space, time or wife......that enable me to make my own BP.

Also, I do not have a license to buy BP so would anything else like shot gun primer be appropriate as you do not need a license for purchasing this?

Could anyone in the Sussex area assist me at all?

Kind regards,

T.

[phildunford]

Before anyone jumps on you.

1) Please use the search facility, this subject has been covered ad nauseam!

2) Short answer - no - in Sussex or anywhere else.

3) If your wife & family are not on your side, you will have an uphill struggle.

4) Commercial BP is not the route to making a rocket. A BP type mixture is the place to start. Don't even think of primers or double base powders, both very dangerous & have no place in fireworks.

Sorry to be negative, but have a good read first...

Edited by phildunford, 22 January 2011 - 10:48 PM.

[rick87]

it doesnt take much time nor does it take much space. the wife i cant really comment on as mine is definetly lenient.
As to buying BP it can't be done with out the appropiate licenses.
Not sure on your question about shotgun primer as i don't really know what it is. Depends on what your wanting to do with it i guess.
but anyway thats not in the name of the art of pyrotechnics. get the chemicals together and make it much more satisfying

[phildunford]

Not sure on your question about shotgun primer as i don't really know what it is.

There is still (I think) an odd loop hole that means you can buy primers without a licence, although this may have been closed. No dealer who did not know you would sell them without seeing some kind of firearms licence (to show your bona fides for home reloading).

Primers are the replaceable metal bits in the end of cartridges & consist of a cap, a little anvil arrangement & some primary explosive - probably an azide. VERY touchy stuff & playing with them a sure route to reduced finger length at the very least!

Edited by phildunford, 22 January 2011 - 10:59 PM.

[burrowman]

it doesnt take much time nor does it take much space. the wife i cant really comment on as mine is definetly lenient.
As to buying BP it can't be done with out the appropiate licenses.
Not sure on your question about shotgun primer as i don't really know what it is. Depends on what your wanting to do with it i guess.
but anyway thats not in the name of the art of pyrotechnics. get the chemicals together and make it much more satisfying

Thank you for your replies, I don't find your post negative at all, I am learning and reading so much at the moment, we all have to start somewhere.

Kind regards.

Edited by burrowman, 22 January 2011 - 11:00 PM.

[phildunford]

Thank you for your replies, I don't find your post negative at all, I am learning and reading so much at the moment, we all have to start somewhere.

Kind regards.

You will find this forum an excellent place to start. There are extensive threads on making BP & rocket propellants, rocket construction & the legal position.

Welcome to the fascinating world of fireworks!

[rick87]

There is still (I think) an odd loop hole that means you can buy primers without a licence, although this may have been closed. No dealer who did not know you would sell them without seeing some kind of firearms licence (to show your bona fides for home reloading).

Primers are the replaceable metal bits in the end of cartridges & consist of a cap, a little anvil arrangement & some primary explosive - probably an azide. VERY touchy stuff & playing with them a sure route to reduced finger length at the very least!

ah right, wasnt aware they could be bought seperately. What reason would anyone want for buying primers aside from making their own cartridges which is surely illegal?!

but anway back to the original thread, welcome to the forum. read it for a few days.
I'll probably get the wrath of god brought down on me for saying this but i made my first blackpowder batch by putting all the chemicals in a tub with some lead media and rolled the tub around in my hands for a few hours. Just tell the wife your making her a pretty firework fountain to mark how much you love her. That'll make her putty in your hands

[starseeker]

As for not having the space,if you have a small yard and a patio table etc,that is all the space you really need.

Some rocket fuel should only take about a hour to make,once you have the basics to hand,so hopefully you can find the time somewhere.

This certainly is a very rewarding hobby and worth perserverance,good luck and we will be looking forward to reading about how you are getting on.

[phildunford]

ah right, wasnt aware they could be bought seperately. What reason would anyone want for buying primers aside from making their own cartridges which is surely illegal?!

If you have a firearms licence, you can buy the components and make small arms ammunition & shotgun cartridges on your kitchen table - all completely legal.

The fact that you can have several kilograms of explosive powders & use them in this way is one of the justifications we are putting forward to the HSE to allow some exemptions for pyro experimenters. We feel that if this kind of activity is considered safe enough to allow, that some kind of framework could be established for pyro...

Edited by phildunford, 23 January 2011 - 05:08 PM.

[Mortartube]

I have a feeling that when he mentioned shotgun primer, he was referring to nitrocellulose powder.

[burrowman]

I am looking for a lift powder for launching 2" plastic canister shells, would nitrocellulose powder do this?

Thanks,

Tim.

[Karl Mitchell-Shead]

Tim, Nitrocellulose powder (more like grains / small flat squares) will i doubt be capable of lifting a shell to a reasonable height, im pretty sure the stuff only really works its best under very heavy confinement

[burrowman]

Tim, Nitrocellulose powder (more like grains / small flat squares) will i doubt be capable of lifting a shell to a reasonable height, im pretty sure the stuff only really works its best under very heavy confinement

Thank you for that, so much to learn, soooooooooo much!

[barra69]

There is still (I think) an odd loop hole that means you can buy primers without a licence, although this may have been closed. No dealer who did not know you would sell them without seeing some kind of firearms licence (to show your bona fides for home reloading).

Primers are the replaceable metal bits in the end of cartridges & consist of a cap, a little anvil arrangement & some primary explosive - probably an azide. VERY touchy stuff & playing with them a sure route to reduced finger length at the very least!

You can buy reloading powder without showing your ticket. Same goes for shotgun primers. Small arms primers (SR,LR,SP,LP and the magnum variation of ) require your ticket to be shown. BP requires the appropriate paperwork.
As for trying to make something with single or double base propellant powder: forget it. Also, you may find that you get asked a few searching questions in the gunshop which results in a visit from the boys in Blue.