rocket boy

Alright, yes flash powder is and should be a sensitive topic, but I haven't really seen anybody hit the subject that directly on this forum, so I feel that I should start up the questions and answers.
Alright, first off, I know that flash powders are to be used only in small amounts, perhaps larger amounts in mortors, but what are good formulas for specific flashes?
I have found several, but I think I'll ask if I can share them online before I actually do?
until my next response,
-mini
by the way, I was reading a post about BP growing white stuff, and you guys referring to it as 'mould'. Do you guys really spell 'mold' that way? I was confused, and thought it was pronounced "mowld". Hmm. That's all I wanted to say...

I've been making fireworks for years and my favorite mix for flash powder is ..75% potassium perchlorate, 25 % sulfur, and 25% dark pyro aluminum. In grams....potassium perchlorate, 340 grams, sulfur, 113.3grams, and aluminum, 113.3 grams. Mix the potassium and sulfur first and screen it about three times to mix it well. Then add the aluminum folding it without creating too much dust first then screen it being carefull not to create any friction (no scraping on any surfaces on your mixing containers). Getting the blend nice and smooth and free flowing I then spoon it into a mustard type squeeze bottle that has a tapered tip on the cap and you have a way of putting the mix into the different paper tubes squeezing the bottle to push the mix out and stopping it for the amount needed in the tube allowing enough space for a glue ring all the way around the inside diameter of the tube then push a paper cap in flush to seal it. Most squeeze bottles come with some sort of plastic cap on them for sealing and you have a nice storage container and applicator for loading your tubes no matter how small or how large they are. Rocket Boy

THIS IS NOT THE WAY TO DO IT, FOLLOW IT AND YOU CHANCE OF DEATH OR INJURY ARE HIGH!! - Karlfoxman

A few details here:

Manufacture of Metal Powders - http://www.mpif.org/apmi/doc4.htm

Im under the impression that the aluminum is melted from a wire spool that is fed into a die and is melted using electricity or a flame and then it is pased thru a jet that has high pressure air or a gas and is sprayed into the air forming small balls of aluminum (atomized) which falls back into a collector which produces the aluminum. Thats the basic info that I have on the subject...Rocket boy.

O.K. Lets not fool ourselves. Bangs in pyrotechnics is a must. I just cant imagine going to a fireworks show and watching stars and comets all night long without some bags in them. I've put on many commercial fireworks displays and one of my signature shells was an 8 inch b**b shell flash salute to begin the show. It got everyones attention believe me!!! We made our own speciality shells in our shop to add to the jap ball shells in the displays. One of the best formulas that we used was.....Potassium Perchlorate 12 oz. dark German pyro aluminum or dark indian blackhead powdered aluminum 4 oz. and Sulfur 4 oz. or 75%,25%,25%. Mix the potassium and sulfur first and screen in three or four times. Then mix the aluminum very carfully folding it with a plastic spoon in a plastic container and screen this three or four times. Make sure you use a disposable face dust mask or do it out side in the shade to keep the dust from getting all over the place. This mix is very explosive but not shock sesitive and will not degrade. Excellent shelf life. rocket boy.

As far as the screening go's....in Florida we have what you would call high humidity......like tropical weather and yes some of the dark pyro aluminum dos cake a little.....like little balls but once you screen it a few times it wont do it. I would say living in a much drier area you wouldnt have a problem like that or even think of mixing the compo so much. Yes we have air conditioning, but the compo is mixed outside in the shade and then brought in to keep any dust build-up in the shop. As far as safety.........I've been mixing this compo for more than 40 years and never ever had a problem....I'm still here!!!! rocket boy

20 ounces of flash powder containing sulphur!? You meant grams not ounces?

You can use grams, or ounces as long as its a mix of 75% 25% 25%This orginal formula was and still is used by the Grucci family in long island New York. rocket boy

Alright, yes flash powder is and should be a sensitive topic, but I haven't really seen anybody hit the subject that directly on this forum, so I feel that I should start up the questions and answers.
Alright, first off, I know that flash powders are to be used only in small amounts, perhaps larger amounts in mortors, but what are good formulas for specific flashes?
I have found several, but I think I'll ask if I can share them online before I actually do?
until my next response,
-mini
by the way, I was reading a post about BP growing white stuff, and you guys referring to it as 'mould'. Do you guys really spell 'mold' that way? I was confused, and thought it was pronounced "mowld". Hmm. That's all I wanted to say...

O.K. Lets not fool ourselves. Bangs in pyrotechnics is a must. I just cant imagine going to a fireworks show and watching stars and comets all night long without some bags in them. I've put on many commercial fireworks displays and one of my signature shells was an 8 inch b**b shell flash salute to begin the show. It got everyones attention believe me!!! We made our own speciality shells in our shop to add to the jap ball shells in the displays. One of the best formulas that we used was.....Potassium Perchlorate 12 oz. dark German pyro aluminum or dark indian blackhead powdered aluminum 4 oz. and Sulfur 4 oz. or 75%,25%,25%. Mix the potassium and sulfur first and screen in three or four times. Then mix the aluminum very carfully folding it with a plastic spoon in a plastic container and screen this three or four times. Make sure you use a disposable face dust mask or do it out side in the shade to keep the dust from getting all over the place. This mix is very explosive but not shock sesitive and will not degrade. Excellent shelf life. rocket boy.

I have read about using razor blade as not to crimp or pinch the fuse to keep powder from falling out.
What do you guys say here and are there any new techniques ya'll have come across?

WELL........tHE BEST TOOL FOR CUTTING ANY PYROTECHNIC FUSE FROM 1/16" DIA TO 1/4" DIAMETER FUSE .......IS A "DOGGIE" TOE NAIL CUTTER!!! There are many types out there plastic ect, but the best one by far is the all metal one with an oval hole in it and a slide cutter. You put the fuse in the hole and squeez the pliers to cut and it will fold the outer edges of the fuse all the way around sealing in the powder and providing a clean cut better than any razor blade. Sort of crimps the outer edge of the fuse end towards the middle of the fuse......nice to say the least. You can also slide a piece of pre measured fuse along side of it for the proper length and use the cutter flat spot to size the supply roll and you can cut every piece of fuse the same exact length every time over and over. I been using the dog toe nail cutter for years and years. and yes you can take it apart and using 800 grit wet and dry sand paper for sharpining the blade. or buy another one. The plastic ones work, but usually end up breaking withen months of use. rocket boy