633 replies to this topic

[Maineiac]

Sizzle is right on. Assuming you are using airfloat charcoal and both your KNO3 and Ba(NO3)2 are rather fine you won't need to mill at all. Screen 3-4 times and you'll be in good shape. Go through a 20 mesh screen once you start to dampen them down to break up any water globules. I assume you'll be pressing this comp. You've heard it before but I'll mention it again; keep the H2O to a bare minimum. For D1 and Winokur 39/39J as well as a few others that has always been in the 5%-6% range. Too much and your glitter fades into oblivion.

[GBthriller]

Thanks to (???) for the D1 Glitter formula. It stole the Christmas show. Comets, stars, glitter filled the sky. A wonderful formula!

BTW dont try flake aluminum or magnalium, it doesnt sparkle, it burns within the star/ comet and makes the whole thing smoke. Just my experience, one kilo's worth of experience.

[fishy1]

my tigertail is frozen solid, it should still work when defrosted right?

[sizzle]

Has anyone tried my Magnesium red yet? I've created a name for it : Firebreath Red .

Edited by sizzle, 29 December 2005 - 08:35 PM.

[seymour]

Fishy1, it should still work when defrosted/and dried, but I cannot help asking, why Freeze the tigertail in the first place?

[fishy1]

Fishy1, it should still work when defrosted/and dried, but I cannot help asking, why Freeze the tigertail in the first place?

it wasn't intentional, i left it in the shed with the door open and it was a very cold night.

[adamw]

So if it froze, then it still contained water - so it isn't dry!

Also - the expansion of the water --> ice crystals may have weakened the structure? Unlikely, but something to think about.

Edited by adamw, 30 December 2005 - 07:01 PM.

[fishy1]

So if it froze, then it still contained water - so it isn't dry!

Also - the expansion of the water --> ice crystals may have weakened the structure? Unlikely, but something to think about.

i knew it'll still need drying, but the expansion of water was the thing i was worried most about.

[sizzle]

Ok, I tried one of the Firebreath Red stars in a star-gun yesterday, the magnesium gives a nice bright tail to it whilst the red still glows strong in the air. It's superb, I'm quite proud of them.

[koobee]

Firebreath Red eh? Did you develope this mix yourself? It sounds nice, I am thinking about trying some but I must get my hands on some Magnesium shreds cuz I only have 200mesh magnesium. That would prolly not produce the same effect... but you said the stars have a red tail?

[sizzle]

The formula is developed from Blesser Red #1 with added Magnesium Shreds. It is essential that shreds are used to get the correct effect, powder will not work the same way. The stars give a white crackling tail whilst the star remains a bright red in the air.

Next time I get my hands on some Magnesium Shreds I will produce some more of the stars and put a video online of one burning static and one in a star-gun test.

[completebeginner]

what size are the srheds in your stars?

[sizzle]

They vary a bit but i'd say between 2-4mm shreds. I can post a picture of some if you wish.

[completebeginner]

thats ok sizzle i dont need a pic I cant get sheds only powder as I grind a rod of magnesium from homehardware for my powder so i guess no firebreath stars for me

[Willem]

Hi Sizzle
I am going to make some of your "Firebreath Red" Stars tonight - just looking through your posts and you say you modified Blesser Red #1, this original Blesser formula is in percentages and lists 4% Dextrin (as the binder I assume?), which you have replaced with 15% Magnesium Shreds (2-4mm).
I Hope you don't mind here is your formula again:-

Sizzle's Firebreath Red

70 Potassium Perchlorate
10 Red Gum
15 Strontium Carbonate
1 Charcoal
15 Magnesium Shreds 2 ? 3 mm

"Makes a fantastic red star with white crackles that fly off"

I have a few questions for you before I dissapear into my shed, hope you can answer them...
1) If you drop the dextrin does the red gum work as a binder?
2) Do you drop the water in the wetting mix (I normally use 33% alc 66% H2o), I am assuming that if the quantity is small it won?t create a problem as these are for pumping or cutting - not rolling?
4) Last question - related to the Mg shreds ? how can I be sure/test they have been coated as I purchased them ready shredded ? does this matter for this formula?

Thanks for all the great info

Will