3 replies to this topic

[sevenhills]

Hey, good to be here. Dont be put off by how little I know, I'm filling my free time with mental and physical fun, and science is next on my list.
I should first get across how little I know of Science beyond GCSE. I know as much about science as a moth does about hot bright lights. Very little, I just tend to go towards it at my own peril.

I was dead keen on getting to grips with some basic reactions. So I went for Potassium nitrate, and sugar. Smoke. There were two issues. One, I read nitrates are bad for your blood, and two, stump remover and tomato fertiliser does not contain Potassium Nitrate, it's labeled as Potassium Oxide (64% at most), which I gather reacts with water like bleach. I am by no means sure, but surely if its Oxide, then there is no more reaction to be had when filtered to its pure form, and mixed with sugar.

How can I sate my lust for a hands-on-basic-shed-manufactured-so-as-to-produce-a-safe-round-people-smoke reaction?

[seymour]

Just do lots of reading and you should be fine. Buying books is always a good start, and reading the "new members thread" or searching "books" in the top right hand corner should give you an idea of what books are the best for you to buy. If you are not forking out on pyrotechnic literature (we strongly recommend you do!) read this forum extensively, and after a few hundred pages you will get an idea what is true and what is a myth. Remember, not everything said on this forum can be trusted, even though I believe it is one of the best sources of Pyrotechnic information on the net.

I am sure Potassium nitrate is bad for your blood. Sodium chloride is bad for your kidneys. Unless you try to maximize exposure by using it to salt your dinner, I am sure your blood will forgive you. Still, it is a good idea to wear gloves, and if you are at risk of raising dust a dust mask. At the very least wash your hands before you start eating. This becomes critical later on when you will be using more toxic chemicals.

Often in agriculture chemicals have odd numbers and letters like N/P/K and Potassium oxide 64%. Essentially, you should ignore these. That is for farmers who would like to know how much Potassium oxide is there if you took all the other atoms from the molecules. It is unlikely to contain any Potassium oxide. If it burns with Sugar, then it is most likely Potassium or Sodium nitrate. If not, yes, you are "STUMPED"

[sevenhills]

Man, Im a Uker. And not much of an engineer.
This Smoke one was the simplest one I've found, Ive dont a little reading up. but I guess I'm looking for brands, and DIY companies. We just dont have wal mart like the states where all my maniacle needs are met under one roof. Every product that has been suggested in posts now contains Potassium oxide.
it's madness, madness I tell you.

[Asteroid]

This has been discussed quite a bit, towards something containing "sulphur trioxide" I think. as seymour said, it is to use of those growing plants with it as it tells them how much to put on their strawberries. Potassium and oxygen don't make 64% of the weight of KNO3, so it may be impure, but try it. If it doesn't work it may well have a flame retardant in it. Potassium nitrate isn't sold very commonly (in my experience) in smaller garden stores. Yo may have to go to a much larger establishment, or better yet, get it from the internet.

Edited by Asteroid, 28 November 2007 - 09:37 PM.