24 replies to this topic

[sizzle]

Was there any comp left in the tube after it was finished burning? if so then im not sure what could have gone wrong, but if not then try adding more effect charcoal (not airfloat) which will make it burn for longer with more sparks. It is possible that the composition you were using was too energetic and more of a driver than a fountain composition

When I say it stopped in 2 seconds I mean that literally, only half a centimetere of comp was burned up, I can see no reason why is stopped, I'm going to reattempt one tommorow, maybe using less compression might be better and I'll try more charcoal like you said.

[RegimentalPyro]

... then used some Pollyfilla as the top cap, put a hole in it about the size of a pencil right down into the comp ...
What could have gone wrong?

Bet you thats your problem right there. The polyfilla dampened the comp at the top. Don't use polyfilla. Use either bentonite clay, or cat litter. Either of these rammed HARD will form a nice tight plug.

[sizzle]

Bet you thats your problem right there. The polyfilla dampened the comp at the top. Don't use polyfilla. Use either bentonite clay, or cat litter. Either of these rammed HARD will form a nice tight plug.

No, I made my top cap first and left a 4mm hole in it, then I put a 2 inch nail in the hole, turn it upside down and fill from the bottom, then put a black match where the nail was, so it should work.

Edited by sizzle, 11 October 2005 - 12:20 PM.

[RegimentalPyro]

Hmmmm - Well that should of worked OK. Could mixing of your comp been inadequate? This might have produced the hangfire you have described.

[sizzle]

That's the only thing I can think of that could have gone wrong, I'm gonna mix a new batch today and try a fountain with that, I'll let you know how it goes.

[sizzle]

Well, I tried a second fountain today, It worked! and really well, I used the same method, Pollyfilla with a hole in at the top but I made the hole bigger, this time I used a pencil so it was about 5mm, I made the same batch of white fountain formula (24 KNO3/4 C/4 S/10 AL) filled the tube and stuck a blackmatch in, it made a nice fountain spray for about 35 seconds, very loud I have to admit, I may make the whole wider next time to reduce the noise. Thanks for the tips guys but it looks like the problem was either the size of the hole or a problem with my white fountain batch.

I would have filmed it only the darn camcorder was on the blink, but it was beautiful.

Edited by sizzle, 11 October 2005 - 08:23 PM.

[sizzle]

Yay I now have more Chemicals available to me, is there anything I can do with Barium Carbonate and my other chemicals?

Potassium Chlorate
Potassium Nitrate
Sodium Chlorate
Aluminium Powder (250 Mesh)
Magnesium Shreds
Sulphur
Charcoal Powder
Black Powder
Copper Sulphate
Sodium Bicarbonate
Red Iron Oxide
Strontium Carbonate
Red Gum
Iron Fillings
Dextrin
Potassium Perchlorate
Barium Carbonate

I figured I can do some gold and silver fountains and some red and white stars at least, any other colours I can achieve with these chemicals though?

Edited by sizzle, 21 October 2005 - 01:49 AM.

[karlfoxman]

You need to be careful with barium carbonate as its nasty stuff to handle, treat it with respect. If you had magnallium you could maKe some great greens. I would highly recomend you reading books and joining up to Passfire. It sounds like you need some formulas?? Look through the easy to light stars thread and also the 'sticky' star formula thread. I also advise you to get msds from the web for all your chemicals, this is a good way of reading the dangers of some chemicals.

Edited by karlfoxman, 21 October 2005 - 07:35 AM.

[fishy1]

you could make barium nitrate with some vinegar and your stuff, which gives better colours.

[sizzle]

Thanks fishy1, but i'm not to confident about trying to make my own, If I mess it up i'll have wasted some of my Barium Carbonate and waste is one thing I don't like.

Karlfoxman: I signed upto Passfire a while ago but forgot my password , I went on the "lost password" section four times and four times it has said it will e-mail me my password. I have recieved nothing yet but I will probably create a new account. I have quite a few formulas, I have been researching them for a while looking for ones I can do with my equipment, but, I'm having difficulty locating Magnalium in the UK.

Edited by sizzle, 21 October 2005 - 03:52 PM.