27 replies to this topic

[pihop]

I use mustard seeds!
Nothing beats mustard seeds.
If I use 1,5 teaspoons full I need at least 1kg (2lb) of comp.

[pyroduck7]

I use mustard seeds!
Nothing beats mustard seeds.
If I use 1,5 teaspoons full I need at least 1kg (2lb) of comp.

do you hand roll?

[bigtonyicu]

I use mustard seeds!
Nothing beats mustard seeds.
If I use 1,5 teaspoons full I need at least 1kg (2lb) of comp.

I've used mustard also, works well, but be patient at first it often looks like you're doing nothing; initial reaction in to keep moistning DONT give it time, make sure your initial powder is VERY FINE or else it won't stick, for larger stars peper corn work beautifuly.

[pihop]

do you hand roll?

Nope!

[RegimentalPyro]

Use dragons eggs as cores. That way you get a nice crackle at the end of your shellburst.

[seymour]

pyroduck7 Posted Aug 15 2008, 05:37 AM
thanks il try that out! but anouther problem im haveing is that when im rolling thay are not round there like willy wonker everlasting gobstoppers! there all bumpy and stuff. it might be because on the side of my wok there are tiny dimples

When stars do that it is called "spiking" - a popular word in firework building. Causes can be that your chemicals are too fine, or that there is too little solvent. Black powder stars (which in my loose definition includes Charcoal streamers) are notorious for spiking easily, probably because they can need so much water to get them to roll properly.

Some people swear by dampening their star mix and granulating and then crushing again, if it is safe to do so then a few minutes in a ball mill will work. This creates many small grains that looks like a powder but should roll better. Personally I have not done this as I have found that adding more solvent prevents excessive spiking.

Use dragons eggs as cores. That way you get a nice crackle at the end of your shellburst.

Flash cores, strobes, or small cut coloured stars also work well.

[Bonny]

I use pepper corns or quinoa seeds/grains. The quinoa tends to make a bit of a mess falling out of my nascar(tire) style roller until they gain enough comp to stay in the bottom. the pepper corns work great, but are a bit large.
One of these days I will try using some dragon eggs.

[pyroduck7]

how will you roll the dragons eggs though haaha

[bigtonyicu]

how will you roll the dragons eggs though haaha

you don't roll them, you cut or press them

Edited by bigtonyicu, 20 August 2008 - 07:07 PM.

[seymour]

Or granulate into the star roller to make them.

[Pyrogeorge]

I used lead shot cores..and i made it hand roll
I bought 1kg for 4euro
100 shots = 2,9gr



and the round stars..

Edited by pipipi, 07 January 2009 - 04:56 PM.

[deathruddles]

Hello By the way, i'm new!

wouldn't using lead mean that you'd need more lift?

Also wouldn't the increased weight at the centre of the star create a deformed spread pattern?

[Mumbles]

If you go by pipipi's values, the lead would add a negligible amount of mass to the shell. 2.9g is nothing unless you're making 1" shells. Nope it doesn't ruin the pattern in the least.

There was some concern about fall out, but I've never heard anyone actually confirming this fear. It will be molten and probably break apart into harmless (physically) particles. There is also the environmental issue.