[sid101]

So finally a have a few pounds to my name which I can use for my first real project!
I quite fancy trying a shell, it'll be inert for the moment to get something in the air. Would 2inch be a good choice, as it seems to be the smallest commonly available?

My issue really is with the lift, how do I go about this?
I have read all the guides and posts available here and elsewhere for several months. They all seem rather dedicated to optimum results which for the moment I am not.

So any advice and guidance would be appreciated, mainly on the black powder for the lift.

SiD

[Vic]

First project.

Learn to strike a match without burning your fingers!

[Rip Rap]

sid101, on 13 January 2012 - 05:35 PM, said:

So finally a have a few pounds to my name which I can use for my first real project!
I quite fancy trying a shell, it'll be inert for the moment to get something in the air. Would 2inch be a good choice, as it seems to be the smallest commonly available?

My issue really is with the lift, how do I go about this?
I have read all the guides and posts available here and elsewhere for several months. They all seem rather dedicated to optimum results which for the moment I am not.

So any advice and guidance would be appreciated, mainly on the black powder for the lift.

SiD

I am sorry my friend - but you have obviously mistaken this forum for an amateur pyro forum - where you can ask for advice about constructing fireworks. That has effectively long gone I am afraid.

[Mortartube]

You should be aiming for optimum speed BP. Making good BP is one of the first things you should learn. Once you get it consistent, then you know that you need X amount to lift a given size of shell. Inconsistent BP can mean some shells end up on the ground and some may fly too high or damage the shell/mortar. The guides are your best starting point. Either milled or CIA method BP will be your first project.

[sid101]

Vic, on 13 January 2012 - 07:41 PM, said:

First project.

Learn to strike a match without burning your fingers!

Mastered that quite a while ago
But windproof matches are a different story..

Mortartube, on 13 January 2012 - 10:57 PM, said:

You should be aiming for optimum speed BP. Making good BP is one of the first things you should learn. Once you get it consistent, then you know that you need X amount to lift a given size of shell. Inconsistent BP can mean some shells end up on the ground and some may fly too high or damage the shell/mortar. The guides are your best starting point. Either milled or CIA method BP will be your first project.

This seems my best option, I have a guide to shell size/weight/lift, but It will depend on the actual quality of the BP.

So I'm okay asking for advice?

[PyroPDC]

most people work on the 10% rule for lift (some can get away with less if its really fast) eg if the finished shell is 100g then you would need 10g lift. a good start is to use a cricket ball as they fit a 3" tube perfect and you have no worry if your lift fails.

before you try and change lots of variables (eg making your own charcoal or buying from unknown sources) buy some good quality chemicals from a reliable source like www.cooperman435.co.uk (you will save so much time instead of wondering what chemical is causing your bp to act slow)


mixing the 3 chemicals wont give you good enough bp so a good ballmill is recommended, there is the CIA method but ballmilling is by far safer. have a look at building your own ballmill or buy one, lots of pics and ideas on this forum on building one, parts can be found on ebay or coppermans website.

This post has been edited by PyroPDC: 14 January 2012 - 12:54 AM

[martyn]

A couple of points, if this is your first project perhaps have a bit of fun with fountains first.
And it may seem obvious but remember if you make a shell you will need somewhere spacious to fire it.
The last thing you want is to get people upset and taking an unhealthy interest in your activities.
Just my tuppence.

[sid101]

PyroPDC, the 10% rule i what I have read before. The cricket ball seems a good idea, I was going to just use an inert fulled shell :L

Building a ball mill sounds like a fun project, electronic and physicals A level might come in handy after all.

martyn, on 14 January 2012 - 08:12 PM, said:

A couple of points, if this is your first project perhaps have a bit of fun with fountains first.
And it may seem obvious but remember if you make a shell you will need somewhere spacious to fire it.
The last thing you want is to get people upset and taking an unhealthy interest in your activities.
Just my tuppence.

I could try a fountain first, It does seem logical. When I say this is my first project it will be long term project rather than a rush job. I fully intend to try things like this first.
I have a few acres of land in the middle of what is broads, so uninhabited for miles.
Safety is my number one concern, learnt this in the labs luckily from peoples harmless mistakes.

[dumper truck]

I jumped in feet first with building shells, afterall that was why i took an interest in this hobby, thyre not too difficult and aslong as you dont cut corners theres no reason why you should be successfull from the get go. I must admit i now dont bother with shells they take tooooooooo long to make from start to finish so nice fountains do me and the odd flash powder salute rocket.

If i was to do it all again the most important thing for me is definanlty dont cut corners, that goes for taking enough to to dry stars, to priming them and pasting a shell, also make sure you use the right time fuse for the shells and use the correct methods.

Also as PDC said use a reputable supplier for all your chems, Ive only ever used cooperman as i see no need to look elsewhere so he should be you number 1 chems contact, also hes a sound and knowledgable guy who will happily share any advice he can give you.


As always just be safe and discreet, it seems there lots of negative people trolling these forums and i for one dont like it, research it and do it is all i say. Sure theres laws but stick to 100grams at any 1 time and you can argue the case IF it ever came to it. No one will ask questions if you dont get anyones back up so no letting off large salutes near peoples houses as ive heard of people doing !



Jay

[Arthur Brown]

Rule number one is- do NOT upset the neighbours!

[Creepin_pyro]

There are a number of similar threads on here with some good advice. Google this:

"first project site:pyrosociety.org.uk"

I would also recommend familiarising yourself with BP and fountains before moving onto shells.

[Deano 1]

Consistency is essential so keep records. There's nothing more frustrating than forgetting how you made that perfect rocket or even what glue you used to make certain tubes.

[sid101]

Thanks for all the responses, the end product will remain the same but with more easier side projects to get me used to it physically. Reading can only go so far.

I was surfing the great ol' ebay for parts for a ball mill and found one that uses 5" hemis as the actual 'mill jar'. They are quite cheap and probably more so to build.
They are quite small in their load size and probably take longer to do their job, but will do the job?

SiD

[digger]

mmmm I know the item that you mean. If you want to go down that route why not buy a set of 5" hemi's for a quid and do it yourself?

I would suggest that a ball mill is a very usefully bit of kit for all sorts of grinding, not just making BP. So get a good one.

If you are in any way practical make your own mill. It is pretty easy and can be done for pennies if you can be bothered. There are some great mills that people on this forum have made. From fully speed controllable units running on inverters to mills made using salvage parts from pillar drills for a few pounds (second hand pillar drills can be had for no money).

Do a search on this forum to get some ideas, as there are a few very good threads on it.

D

This post has been edited by digger: 18 January 2012 - 11:24 AM

[icarus]

when you make your first bp - if its too slow dont flare it off. use it for rocket construction , Its great to see your first rocket leave the ground!!. or use them as drivers with coarse iron filings or titanium if you are rich to make a spinning wheel .