23 replies to this topic

[spawned]

Hi i have seen quite a few different types of mine, by this I do not mean the stars or their arrangement I mean the basic mechanics.

I have seen the common mine which is also the display mine and is the basic star and lift pouch type with top fusing. I have also seen where the fuse is threaded through a hole in the side which is easier for beginners but not in any way useful for a display.

Finally and this is the most beginner friendly mine is just a hole in a cardboard morter (i.e. in the side) for the fuse and the lift poured ontop follow by stars and the top is covered in a layer of thick paper, all of these work for me so how about you?

Edited by Richard H, 09 July 2004 - 05:56 PM.

[Richard H]

Please use S, P, G when you post!

I always use the piston disc method, where a piston/wad is used to force the stars out of the mortar. See the Passfire article or the Best of AFN IV.

[alany]

I always use the disk method, except for really small mines < 40 mm where I just scrunch up a ball of paper wadding and shove that in over the lift. It is leaky enough that the gasses get down to the lift charge, but it works just as well as a disks and wadding sabot.

To make a mine I basically wrap 3-4 turns of kraft around a suitable former, close one end with a clove hitch. Sometimes I put in a disk in the bottom if I can't pull it tight enough to stop powder leaks. Then I dump in the lift and the disk/wadding sandwitch, then the stars and/or inserts. Finally I slip in the pre-fused quickmatch into the stars and draw the top closed with another clove hitch. Mine completed, a quick scribble with a felt tip pen to label and it goes into the storage box ready for shooting.

[spawned]

Thanks I am going to try this method and shoot it on Sunday along with my comet that i made yesterday and a few rockets so it will be like a mini display.

[Stuart]

How are the stars lit with the disk method? Wont the disk prevent any flames from the lift getting to the stars or is there a gap around the edge? When I have made mines, I have just put in the lift, then the stars and a sprinkle of BP to get them all lit. After that, a piece of A4 paper is put down to confine them.

What other methods are there?

[Rhodri]

Hi Stuart

I guess you've read the mine construction article on passfire?

If you haven't then here is a direct quote from passfire describing the method of load ignition (eg. stars) for mines using the piston technique.

I hope Kyle won't mind me quoting from passfire!

"Mines are typically ignited by sending the passfire to the stars first in order to insure that they are lit before the lift charge ignites. Some builders run raw black match all the way down into the lift charge and up through the star chamber. Many people punch holes in their disks or notch the edges, believing that this is required in order for the fire reach the lift charge once the stars ignite. These holes then further require the lift charge to be contained in some sort of bag to prevent it from migrating out the holes and into the star chamber during shipping and handling. "

I've heard it mentioned from some more experienced members of this forum that the piston method will only provide around an extra 10% efficiency in lift.

Does the construction of a piston really warrant an extra 10%? I guess it's up to the builder.

[Stuart]

Oh yes, of course. I have read about that method, just forgot about it . I dont currently have a passfire account but hope to get one in the next month or two.

Thanks Rhodri

Stuart

[BigG]

Interestingly enough, the method described on passfire does not work well if your mine is made from proper tube.

Generally, mines are made from a very flimsy material as you expect them to be shot from a mortar. However, most (not all) of Cat 2 and 3 mines are made with a strong tube sealed at one end with wood or very thick clay plug, where the lifting powder and the stars are just “dumped” in or are confined in such a way that the quickmatch goes all the way through to the blowing charge.

If you try the passfire article method using a strong mailing tube and a tight fitting disk - you will discover that many times the disk manages to block the fire from getting to the BP chamber. This is because the walls of the tube are very strong, and do not give easily to the fire, preventing the fire from travelling downwards.

[maxman]

Just a couple of 3" mines here for your viewing pleasure. The first is 100g of Buell Reds. I had problems with these due to poor priming in my shells but in a 3" mine they are beautiful.

This one is Firefly And Tiger Tail mixed. I love this effect! The firefly behaves differently in a mine it seems. The flashes were much brighter and more pronounced.

[GZ22]

Those Buell Red stars are beautiful - well done.

[portfire]

Excellent work maxman!.Those Buell Reds are stunning.I just hope the mine (or should i say mines) i'v been working on come close to yours.

Here's a quick preview



The rack still needs a little work,but apart from that,everythings ready to be put together tommorow.....oh do have a busy day ahead.

dean

[maxman]

Thanks portfire, I hope there will be some videos to see. Here is a D1 Glitter mine

[portfire]

Two weeks work in 3 seconds!

http://video.google....948592400127957

I apologise for the language but,i think my brothers GF somes it up

There was a slight lag in the QM.I did a test earlier this week to make sure passfire " linkages" were ok and it all fired at once so,i'm unsure why there was the lag.

They were also silver flying fish inserts (1 in each mine) but didn't catch them in the vid.Shame because they looked great.

Special thanx to pyromaniac303 for rolling the veline red,blue.

dean

Edited by portfire, 06 November 2007 - 10:50 AM.

[portfire]

I've uploaded the original video to pyrobin as the quality on google is crap.

Enjoy!
http://pyrobin.com/f...mm fan rack.wmv

dean

[pudi.dk]

Nice!
What stars did you use for the left and right?