39 replies to this topic

[pyroman89]

It completely depends on the quality of the Sodium nitrate and the climatic conditions. In come climates low quality stuff can be used with no fireproofing. In some places you will need to prevent it from absorbing moisture (Vaseline might work). Sodium nitrate of high purity should not be very hygroscopic at all.

Yeah I never had a problem with using Sodium nitrate.

[phildunford]

Nice work Chris - that seems strangely familiar... lol

On the subject of wheels of wheels, I'm a bit dubious of how good it could ever look - just goes too fast and the effects get mixed up.

The Maltese Irdieden wheels etc look great, but this is because they go much slower...

This sort of thing: Youtube

[dr thrust]

the irdieden wheels are very special indeed, and i see your point about a wheel going to fast and mixing up the effect, so whats the answer????
lots a possibilities i guess, instead of three choked drivers per stage just have one choked driver and the others spewing out "effect" these could also be angled in such a fashion not to provide any thrust.
power the wheel mechanically, ether by electric motor or me behind it with a long shaft and crank phew!
maybe attach two timber arms to the wheel for a bigger spread of effect.
i would like to try a fountain come wheel were you'd have say eight fountains attached radiating out (the wheel would be static whilst these fired) let these burn for ten seconds then a small whistle driver kicks in for a short period just enough to start the wheel rotating.
one plus point about fast wheels the speed can add to the excitement?

[pyroman89]

the irdieden wheels are very special indeed, and i see your point about a wheel going to fast and mixing up the effect, so whats the answer????

Answer is it will be a very mixed effect. I never fully got around to making one but my friend loved the idea. So he made one, I didn't like it that much but he did. But I do find they are to busy. I think there is a video somewhere roaming around on the internet, can't remember if its youtube or not.

[dr thrust]

hmm, looking at others "wheels" three sets of drivers my be over-kill, ill try two sets of three effects this should give the effect of a two arm wheel, the only reasons I'm using a bike wheel are rapid construction, reusable,cost 0, and a sweet central bearing

[Creepin_pyro]

Really nice wheel Chris : )



Those Glasswick drivers are fantastic, video doesn't do the purple justice atall...

[phildunford]

Chris's wheel is the one with the bike wheel hub (excellent plan) and mine is the one nearer the camera.

Incidentally I also used the Glasswick driver formula for the first stage, but I think my magnalium was a bit coarse so I got more sparks than intended as well as the red/purple colour. All planned - lol

[BrightStar]

Yes, nice work Chris! Here's another (rather shaky) vid if you're interested:

bicycle-wheel-wheel (divx avi)

Getting the Glasswick Purple to work so well was an achievement in itself. I'm eyeing up my brother's rusty bike in the garden as I type...

[phildunford]

BTW Chris - What was your whistle formula?

[dr thrust]

Hi phil the whistle is the same as i use in my rockets, 64/32/1/2 Vaseline, the fuel being potassium benzoate, if your using sodium benzoate the formula is slightly different, its posted in the whistle rocket topic.
The drivers had a 5mm wide 8mm deep core for a bit of thrust, by the way your camera is superb! it caught the spiraling effect of the bp drivers.
i just wished i spent more time on it( which i didn't have! it was a replacement for a Clark's fountain that never dried out).
i wanted it a bit more aesthetically pleasing it was a real "slap together job" were your wheel was beautiful in action and superbly constructed and technically spot on, and looked liked it had been plucked out of 1940's fireworks catalog .

Edited by chris m, 29 April 2009 - 11:21 PM.