junglism

Post deleted, this was not flash! The video was of a binary HE, I never want to see this again. I understand its educational but it has nothing to do with flashpowders! Treat this as a warning, you know who you are.

Hello

Showing an interesting video to compare with the power of flash powder is surely not a cardinal sin punishable by death? I had no idea what that substance was and wondered if any of you pyros with more experience would know. There was no mention of what the substance consisted of or whether it was a H.E. Is it so terrible to be inquisitive and seek knowledge from supposedly more experienced people?

Why the consistent attitude problem on these forums? One wrong mention of something that a minority of one objects to and its game over. Going on these forums is more temperemental than flash! Even a full stop in the wrong place warrants a mouthful of threats or a ban.

Many people who ride up the ranks of these forums hide behind their computer screens threatening people but they wouldn't speak so rudely to a persons face in the outside world. This is a prevalent thing on the internet and it is highly irritating.

Now I daren't give a contribution until I have years of professional pyro experience under my belt. Is that what I'd need to be able to ask questions on here? We all have to start somewhere and let me tell you I'm not a child and dont need to be told off like one. (I'm older than you ironically.) I understand that you probably get a lot of idiots annoying you on here but I'm not one of them! I do hope you dont treat people in the real world with this lack of compassion?

Thank you

Quote - "This is safer than the chlorate based flash you mention, which should never be made under any circumstances. You shouldnt mix chlorate and metal powders, as its very unstable, and chlorate with sulphur is even more unstable."

Yes, I realise that, I was using an example of the commonly misused combination of chems. The thought of actually using that combo never even crossed my mind! I like my eyebrows thanks..
I'm gonna stick to learning BP first..

Thanks for your advice, I "salute" you...

Thanks for the feedback guys. Yes, it was the head of the rocket that I was looking at, sorry to be vague! Inside the head was a plastic bag filled with grey balls and the grey powder. The motor tube was definitely filled with compressed black powder. The grey stuff in the head I'm assuming is flash. There wasnt much of it, like you said its probably required to fling the snapping balls out into the air. The grey powder was extremely fast burning when I tested a tiny amount by burning it on a bit of paper.. quite a snap! Any idea what would be the chemical makeup of this type of flash? If there is a good stabiliser involved then maybe it would reduce the danger slightly if any novices are planning to foolishly make flash? Personally I'm not planning to make pounds of unstable flash from Chlorate, German Alu and Sulphur, I'm just purely interested in the theory behind this remarkable stuff. If it could be made less likely to self detonate then it may be helpful to mention how on this thread, so as to reduce the danger for any crazy kids who go ahead and make the stuff regardless of your advice?

If any novices are planning to make flash then maybe they should watch the video of the container exploding. (see flash video thread) Its like a mini Atom b*mb and if that doesnt put you off, then God help you...
And here is what happens when you hit a small amount with a hammer :

Another question I have is would it be possible to make black powder that disintegrates its cardboard tube like flash does? Would it have a similar report? Any advice on recommended chemicals to use for BP salutes like this? Purely theoretically speaking of course, I'm not planning on jumping in the deep end and try to create a salute that leaves a 6 foot crater! lol (I'm going to start with smoke b*mbs I think.. lol)

I have a feeling that pyro may become a lifelong hobby and I'm planning on learning the right way so thank you for your valued guidance chaps...

Hello all,
I'm new to safely controlled pyrotechnics, having foolishly spent my childhood and teenage years blowing things up with homemade bangers made from disassembling commercially bought rockets etc. One thing I noticed is that these rockets often contained a grey powder that left a silvery residue on the fingers. It was definitely more powerful than the black powder found in other devices. Out of interest I opened a Midas rocket from Lidl the other day to examine the workings and found the same stuff inside. Would this substance be flash powder? If so then how come it is sold commercially?
Is it true to say you can shake a rocket bought from the shops, even throw it against a wall and it wont go off? What makes this type of powder stable?
I'm not about to go and start my civilised adult pyrotechnics career by making lethal homemade flash powder, but the stuff found in those rockets does seem more appealing than black powder. I wonder if one of you could enlighten me on how this commercially sold substance seems so much more stable than the flash powder from hell that is discussed on these pages?
Thank you for your wisdom!