3 replies to this topic

[cunning_plan]

Hi all, im new and have managed to scare and despair people with my lack of knowledge of the dangers of chlorates(now thoroughly enforced). I can do all the basics but was wondering what people wold suggest as good progects to start off with. ive made rockets(just basic propellant tho)and a few fountains but am realy intrested in trying to get more intresting colours and just general easy progects. what advice has anyone go and what chemicals would people suggest to add to the basics?

[BigG]

I feel that the ?beginners projects? thread is starting to be a bit confusing, so many posts are now deleted and are replaced but this rather long one.

There is a natural progression path one should expect to go through when going into the world of amateur fireworks constructions. We all know that shells are very exciting, but they are also quite dangerous, and require knowledge of formulation that one can expect to achieve only after a while.

And here is one of the most important points I can ever make regarding construction. Building a shell is not difficult ? you can learn it in a day. But doing so without proper knowledge is a dangerous thing. Since explosives are not a game, an educated approach to them is the only way to minimize risks.

The first thing ANY amateur is expected to do is read, and read, and read. Safety procedures, chemistry, formulation? Internet is NOT enough. A beginners book such as Tom?s Prigrin introduction to pyrotechnic ensure that you get a TRUE account of how you SHOULD work. Going to Internet discussion forum ? particularly immoderate ones is one of the most definite ways of losing a limp. True ? there is a lot to be learned in those forums, but it requires a certain amount of knowledge to be able to tell fact from fiction.

Once you read, and read, and read ? established work procedures, and found a suitable work place, you can think about making something. If you have someone to instruct you then that is even better. Remember that the law defines what is allowed and what is not. The law is different from country to country, district to district, state to state. Many amateurs are not aware of what they are allowed to do and therefore break the law. Making a five-inch shell in an apartment block is most certainly not allowed. If you can?t find a proper work location ? then tough luck. Just don?t do it. It?s better to be disappointed then go to jail because of unfortunate accidents. Remember, these are explosives, and they are a danger not only to you, but also to your immediate environment. Also, ask yourself if you understand the risk and what have you done to minimize them to the bare minimum. There is no such thing as no risk in pyrotechnics.

Assuming that you are ready ? the natural progression path for beginners will be something similar to this:

BP making
Fountains
Drivers
Wheels
Rockets (with no header)
Stars
Single shoot candles (star guns)
Mines
Rockets (With header)
Multi shoot candles
Shells.

There are other devices ? like lances, sparklers and cakes, but I suspect that the element of knowledge they contribute/teach is already covered by other areas.

How long should one stay with each device? I would say for a while. I stayed for almost half a year with wheels when I started. Sure ? you can do one and move on ? but that?s teaches nothing about QUALITY pyrotechnic, and you will probably ?burn? your interest in fireworks making very fast if you just rash to get to shells (As happened to many on this forum).

I hope this will create some clarity for new users of this forum.

Stay green ? our hobby depends on this.

Edited by BigG, 25 April 2006 - 03:02 PM.

[r.burgy]

very well put big g. its very easy to get burned out rushing.quality is the prize.

[Pepsi]

I think Perfecting "Blackmatch" after Mastering Milling and corning BP would be very high on my priority list for begining Projects..

Regards
Pepsi