46 replies to this topic

[littlejohny]

I think i know exactly what your talking about, its tissue paper rolled up with meal powder inside very tricky to make i tried it and couldn't get it to roll.

[Darkstar]

I think i know exactly what your talking about, its tissue paper rolled up with meal powder inside very tricky to make i tried it and couldn't get it to roll.

This is the type of fuse used on firecrackers and tube-to-tube fusing on some cakes. Making it is something of an art - usually performed by nimble-fingered Chinese girls (or so I've read - kind of generates an image of cigars, hand rolled on the thighs.... etc!)

I doubt that this type of fuse would be used on portfires, however - too delicate and moisture sensitive. I think the mystery fuse could be an ultra fine visco (Skylighter sell it - "visco, cross match - 1mm dia". They also sell the Chinese tissue fuse).

In my dim and distant past, good, safe fuse was my personal Holy Grail! The best I came up with was an almost visco like fuse made by threading flat, cotton shoelace (which is a hollow tube) onto a thin brass tube. One end of the lace was tied up with cotton thread. The tube was then filled with meal powder and withdrawn (with tapping) from the lace and the other end tied off. A soak in shellac solution in alcohol and subsequent drying gave a stiff, steady burning fuse. It was also somewhat waterproof and didn't leak powder when cut.

Paul

[PYRODUDE!!!]

I hate those paper fuses. They burn way to fast, I know b/c I've got a few ladyfingers from france. You really dont get a lot of warning.

[BigG]

I think i know exactly what your talking about, its tissue paper rolled up with meal powder inside very tricky to make i tried it and couldn't get it to roll.

This is not very difficult to make - but does require practice. The secret is that the paper need to be WET when rolled. Just have a little sponge and apply a single swap of water on the paper. Then to roll, apply PRESURE and roll in 45 degrees. The paper is a bit special too - it's not just regular tissue, but a tissue that shrinks with moister - it's avilable from most hobby shops. I can't remember what it's used for.

Note that the BP train in the middle need to be considerable - not just a fit flat line but a good thick/fat train. When the paper shrinks it compact it nicely into a very thin looking fuse.

Last not to make ? those are NOT safe fuse. They jump and they leak. They are good for inaccurate delay between items, and for fire transfer ? but not for first ignition or accurate pieces.

[lord_dranack]

The paper is a bit special too - it's not just regular tissue, but a tissue that shrinks with moister - it's avilable from most hobby shops. I can't remember what it's used for.

Its for covering wings of model aeroplanes- the stuff I use is a nice blue colour

[Plays with Fire]

While we're on the topic of improvised, rolled fuse, would this make a good fuse?:

I'd take a couple of sheets of rolling paper (I think I have some extra) and using a wet sponge, attach them end to end to form one really long sheet (about one foot, or 30.48cm). Then I'd roll them tightly around a 1/8th inch (3.175mm) dowel, and sponge them so they stay as a tube; then, I'd place the rolled tube into a thin brass tube with an inner diameter the same size as the paper-tube's outer diameter. Then, I'd remove the dowel and use if to ram meal powder into the paper tube. After removing the brass tube, I'd twist the ends of the paper tube to keep the rammed powder in.

Could I use this as a sort of improvised fuse? Maybe I'd have to paint in with NC lacquer first, just so it stays together?

Much thanks,
Plays with Fire

[Mumbles]

It would probably work, but it seems like a lot of work. Rolling papers are expensive compared to just tissue paper or something similar.

[fishy1]

While we're on the topic of improvised, rolled fuse, would this make a good fuse?:

I'd take a couple of sheets of rolling paper (I think I have some extra) and using a wet sponge, attach them end to end to form one really long sheet (about one foot, or 30.48cm). Then I'd roll them tightly around a 1/8th inch (3.175mm) dowel, and sponge them so they stay as a tube; then, I'd place the rolled tube into a thin brass tube with an inner diameter the same size as the paper-tube's outer diameter. Then, I'd remove the dowel and use if to ram meal powder into the paper tube. After removing the brass tube, I'd twist the ends of the paper tube to keep the rammed powder in.

Could I use this as a sort of improvised fuse? Maybe I'd have to paint in with NC lacquer first, just so it stays together?

Much thanks,
Plays with Fire

i think you could, it'd be just like a big long spoollette.

[Kevin J]

The tissue paper that is used to cover model airplanes wings, it may shrink a little if you wet it, but it shrinks a lot is you paint this special dope on it. I have never tried this personally as I have never seriously tried making firecracker fuse but it seems like it should work better to use the dope instead of water to wet the paper.

P.S. the dope is flammable.

[alany]

The dope is typically NC based lacquer, although non-flamable and fuel resistant versions are more common now days.

[pymp]

While on the subject of fuse, I was wondering whether you could help me out with a little problem I had. I have been making some blackmatch using the method shown here: http://www.pyrounive.../blackmatch.htm
and the two strings used had the tendency to not stick together, ideally they should leave the BP/Dextrin mixture as one string, not two. Should I be changing the concentration of the solution, dissolve the powder in less water? Or perhaps changing the ratio of the BP/Dextrin?
Thanks for the advice

[Pretty green flames]

While on the subject of fuse, I was wondering whether you could help me out with a little problem I had. I have been making some blackmatch using the method shown here: http://www.pyrounive.../blackmatch.htm
and the two strings used had the tendency to not stick together, ideally they should leave the BP/Dextrin mixture as one string, not two. Should I be changing the concentration of the solution, dissolve the powder in less water? Or perhaps changing the ratio of the BP/Dextrin?
Thanks for the advice

What is your string thickness, thicker string will not hold together well unless you have some really sticky slurry on your hand (Use SGRS if you want REAL stickyness).

I have had great succes with 4 thin yarns (0.5mm each) so you might wanz to try several thinner yarns, they will hold togeter better than 2 thicker strings.

[fishy1]

While on the subject of fuse, I was wondering whether you could help me out with a little problem I had. I have been making some blackmatch using the method shown here: http://www.pyrounive.../blackmatch.htm
and the two strings used had the tendency to not stick together, ideally they should leave the BP/Dextrin mixture as one string, not two. Should I be changing the concentration of the solution, dissolve the powder in less water? Or perhaps changing the ratio of the BP/Dextrin?
Thanks for the advice

"The water must be hot in order for the power grains to completely dissolve. Do not drink the mixture."


lol.

use more thin strings, i'd thicken the liquid a bit too.

also, more thin strings make fuse that burns through tighter holes.

[RegimentalPyro]

You could try putting a twist in the two strings as they leave the pot (1 twist per foor should be sufficient). This should keep the strings together as long as the wet blackmatch remains under tension as it dries.

[maximusg]

I have some model aircraft Dope, it says its a mixture or 27% Acetone with Xylene, it works okay as a laquer, but dries thin and requires a few coats, and it is defianetly flamable.