11 replies to this topic

[GBthriller]

Please help, only experience answers these questions:

Binding parlon with acetone or in my case MEK, is quite a mess, but for the sake of ever precious time, I'll take it any day over water based binders. Question: To avoid driven-in problems, what outer layers should be avoided with various core/ outer/ prime combinations??

Example:

Ruby Red star, omited the dextrin and bound with MEK. Dried 100% in two days (just to be sure). Now what to prime with? A hot modified BP dextrin with water/ alc. O.K.? (Not for ignition purposes just answer to the binding quiestion). Or how about a red gum, pot perc. bound with a high percentage of alc. going to work?

Again, not looking for formula, ignition temp, decomposition, or reactionary chlorate/ sulf. issues, just the binding questions with specific NO GO combinations. Its my understanding that Starpol is a no-no as an outer layer.

Can anyone add here? A binding/ solvent thread would be useful. My search turned up bits of info, not a complete picture.

Thanks for the love.

Edited by GBthriller, 26 November 2005 - 07:01 PM.

[adamw]

There is no reason not to bind the prime with dextrin, especially if the main comp was not bound with a water-soluble binder.

[GBthriller]

There is no reason not to bind the prime with dextrin, especially if the main comp was not bound with a water-soluble binder.

"Especially"..meaning the original core comp if bound with water-soluble binder could be adversely affected by a second layer of a WS binder? If so why? Longer drying time? Driven-in problem? Core turning to mush problem?

*Panting*; Tell me more!!!

[adamw]

Potentially all of those (some only in extreme circumstances), so if using a non WS binder and then laying the prime over that with a WS binder there is no chance of it.

Ive used a dextrin based core with a dextrin based prime, shellac / red gum core with a dextrin prime and vice-a-versa without problems, but I think you will have more chance of driving in a WS bound core with a non WS prime / second layer because of the increased drying time when using something like dextrin.

[GBthriller]

Deleted

Edited by GBthriller, 21 September 2006 - 02:42 AM.

[starseeker]

Hi all,
could somebody tell me if i am correct in thinking that when making a star comp and it says to bind with say 33%alc,it means 33%alc and 67%water or what other liquid is recomended,?And if this is the case do you weigh the liquid etc too.
cheers.

[fishy1]

Hi all,
could somebody tell me if i am correct in thinking that when making a star comp and it says to bind with say 33%alc,it means 33%alc and 67%water or what other liquid is recomended,?And if this is the case do you weigh the liquid etc too.
cheers.

Yes, you'd use 33 parts alcohol and 77 parts water.

You don't weigh it out, say if a comp needs

40 parts charcoal
30 parts kclo4
25 parts bano3
5 parts dextrin
33% alcohol

It means you mix the dry ingredients together, then moisten it with an alcohol water mix of 33% alcohol and 67% water, you would not use 100parts water+alcohol or you'd have a soup. You'd add enough liquid to make it a paste or spray the liquid on star cores to make rolled stars.

You would however measure out (i suppose you could weigh it) the 33 parts alc/67 parts water to make a liquid mix.

Sorry if it's not very clear what I mean, it's hard for me to explain.

[starseeker]

Thanks for the reply,
i can now make some glitter comp this weekend and make some stars up,

[fishy1]

Thanks for the reply,
i can now make some glitter comp this weekend and make some stars up,

BTW, it's critical you don't overwet glitter or you destroy the effect. You may know that already. 5% liquid should be enough.

[starseeker]

BTW, it's critical you don't overwet glitter or you destroy the effect. You may know that already. 5% liquid should be enough.

Cheers for that info,
i should end up with a fairly dry, crumbly comp then,i am going to pump them if my pump turns up,any probs with this,?
cheers.

[fishy1]

Cheers for that info,
i should end up with a fairly dry, crumbly comp then,i am going to pump them if my pump turns up,any probs with this,?
cheers.

No problems with it really, glitter stars are usually pumped.

[GBthriller]

Ever done this?:

Berg's Gold Willow;
Charcoal, Lampblack, Sulfer, Titanium, Etc.

Pressed them into a 1/2 inch cube using a light grid. Tick,tick,tick... waited days for them to dry and HARDEN. Finally, my lampblack mess is dry but has absolutely no integrity. ???

I weigh the SGRS bag, has exactly the amount it should if you add the amount that is supposed to be in my willow comp. How in the #e11 did I manage that? Moron!

But now I find myself asking the Starpol question again. Does anyone know how much Starpol I should add to this comp vs. the recommended 5% SGRS or Dextrin? It's been said that starpol is a superior binder, and since I find myself with a fresh Kilo of soft powdery (messy lampblack) comp, it's time to try it.

Thanks for the help.

GB