13 replies to this topic

[miniskinny]

I was surfing ebay for a good price for a pound of dark aluminum, as occasionally I can get a good deal on some. I would like you guys to check out this link, and tell me if you're not as freaked out as I am! Finer particle size, and uncoated!! Selling in four pound quantities, this stuff shouldn't be legal!
Crazy Aluminum
I do not want you guys to buy it, I want your opinion on this stuff...I don't intend on buying it.

[Yugen-biki]

I thought that dark Al had a thin layer of oxide and made it dark in color. This also helps to reduce the reactivity. Or am I wrong?

I don't really know much about dark Al, but I know that one I have is uncoated (German black <45 ?m). I use it mostly in comets, high temp stars and hot primes. And I have never had any problems with it.

You don't really need that fine Al to make flash. It is peolpe like they who makes it harder for true pyrotechnical interested peolpe to continue their hoby.

If it falls in the hands of the wrong people it might get ugly...

[Andrew]

I'm of mixed opinion. Not too sure if this guy actually knows what he is talking about or not.

1-2 microns??? hope they did not try to grade that with mesh!

I have a feeling that selling that much Al powder, that fine, is against regulations in the US.

From his ebay history, seems that he uses steel ball bearings to mill with, he must have a bloody big mill if he can produce -5000mesh flake.

Concern is warrented, this chap obviously didn't hear about the last decade of terrorist attacks!

[Pretty green flames]

If i were you (which i'm not) i wouldn't buy that stuff, for obvious safety reasons.

As mentioned before this is some bloody smal particle size and probobly illegal in the US to sell in such big quantities, especially now with the CPSC thing going on. I have seen on UN that the finest Al (german dark 2-3micron) has been withdrawn from sales .

This may also be a trap (sorry for my paranoia but it could well be possible), let's say some government institution is selling this to attract flash and boom makers, with this fine Al many will be drawn to it and the catch would be plenty.

A note on the aluminium: This fine grade is i belive used by the military in exploding targets and is far to reactive to be used by the amateur pyro. Stick with the coated stuff for a more safe hobby.

[italteen3]

That is more than legally allowed to buy in the US miniskinny. Only 1lb per order and no more than 2lbs per year unless you have your proper licenses.

Could be a trap you never know. I believe some have already received letters from some government agency warning them about the illegalities of flash manufactures without a license. I would just buy some from skylighter or other reputable source where you know the seller is 110% honest and is selling what they did advertise.

[alany]

The 1 lb limit thing is not a law at all in the US.

It is just something some sellers have put in themselves to appease the powers that be.

Some items in the sellers history are more concerning, suggesting materials used to mill the powder from something more coarse. That's fine I guess, as long as it works, I've successfully made flash-capable metals at home. Would I risk buying from this seller? Nope.

[BigBang]

Firstly, i doubt very much that the Al this guy is selling is actually 1-2 micron. It is extremely difficult to get down to that particle size.


Secondly, in our hobby, there is no need for Al this fine. I regularly make flash using COATED, ATOMISED Al with an average particle size of 5 micron, and it is so unbelievably reactive, its shocking (the bang produced by just 1gram ignited totally unconfined would make your ears ring at 12ft!). If this guys claims are true, i cant imagine how reactive this stuff would be. I'd keep well away, its totally unneccessary.

[alany]

I regularly make flash using COATED, ATOMISED Al with an average particle size of 5 micron, and it is so unbelievably reactive

That's rather remarkable, care to share some?

[Yugen-biki]

... (the bang produced by just 1gram ignited totally unconfined would make your ears ring at 12ft!)...

What kind of flash is that? Potassium perchlorate based?

[BigBang]

Yes it is remarkable, ive been making flash for over 20 years and ive only just discovered this Al, better late than never i 'spose!


Ive used various different oxidisers, including perc and (i hate to admit it!) the 'purple stuff', the purple stuff being much better. The Al is the more important ingredient. This Al i am using now, i find, is more reactive than anything i have used in the past, including various dark pyro Al's, altho you wouldnt think so looking at the spec. I cant explain it.

Alany, i can get you some of this Al if you want some. It costs ?7 for 100g, and that amount does go a long way, coz the optimum mix ratio is 7:2 not the usual 7:3. PM me or email me if you are interested.

Edited by BigBang, 01 August 2005 - 04:44 PM.

[DrDerekDoctors]

Alany, i can get you some of this Al if you want some. It costs ?7 for 100g, and that amount does go a long way, coz the optimum mix ratio is 7:2 not the usual 7:3. PM me or email me if you are interested.

I wasn't aware you could really get pyro aluminium in this country easily at all? It's not something I've looked into a huge amount because I'm really just starting off and have a feeling that experiments with flash at this stage will only result in a decreased complement of fingers on my part, but I am curious.

[BigBang]

You are right, you cant get hold of pyro Al in this country 'easily', but it does help, especially with this hobby, if you have contacts, enough said

The Al i am using is not 'pyro Al' as such, but it is so fine and hence reactive, it can be put to pyro use.

If you dont have much experience in pyro, i strongly advise you to stay away from flash, if you value your fingers and other extremities!!

[BurlHorse]

That is more than legally allowed to buy in the US miniskinny.  Only 1lb per order and no more than 2lbs per year unless you have your proper licenses.

Could be a trap you never know.  I believe some have already received letters from some government agency warning them about the illegalities of flash manufactures without a license.  I would just buy some from skylighter or other reputable source where you know the seller is 110% honest and is selling what they did advertise.

At that Particle Size, We would spend at least one pound of the lot to figure out a proper buffer. additionally, I see nowhere does he say weather it's flake or atomized, 1 to 2 microns is surely atomized leaving it up to you to beat it into flake and stand around waiting for it to explode, not to mention the finished product would be pyrophoric as hell in that particle size.........run away....RUN AWAY......

Best Regards,

Stay Green,

Bear

[BurlHorse]

That is more than legally allowed to buy in the US miniskinny.  Only 1lb per order and no more than 2lbs per year unless you have your proper licenses.

Could be a trap you never know.  I believe some have already received letters from some government agency warning them about the illegalities of flash manufactures without a license.  I would just buy some from skylighter or other reputable source where you know the seller is 110% honest and is selling what they did advertise.

The 1 lb per order, 2 pounds per year was put in place many many years ago, I believe when it was still Kosanke's operation, who Harry bought out, to discourage Salute makers and that clientel. The Metal is not federally regulated as to amount, though I'm sure you'd raise some eyebrows if you wanted to buy a drum or two.........

The Letter you speak of came from the department of justice and according to the attorney for our club and firefox, had absolutely no basis in fact and since no statuates were named, it basically amounted to a scare tactic, or an excuse for another intern in the DOJ having a job.

Harry said that the CPSE only copied 10 customers orders from 2004, and this letter was sent to to 8 of those folks......... He is very frank about why he let them in without a search warrent, as he has nothing to hide, not the stance I probably would have taken, but hey it's business as usual for him, so I guess he did the right thing. What all of us can do over here is dig deep and donate money to the chemical defense fund, it's tax deductible and will ensure we can continue to enjoy our hobby for years to come. I've made my donation(s), and will continue to do so, please contribute if you can, whatever amount helps............

Best Regards,

Stay Green,

Bear


Best Regards,

Stay green,

Bear