633 replies to this topic

[Richard H]

If you omit the dextrin binder then you would have to go down the messy road of using red gum as your binder in addition to its role as the primary fuel. Believe me when I say that using red gum as a binder is not much fun. It is generally a pain to clean your tools after working with it. The only thing in my opinion that is worser than having to clean red gum, is red gum and lamplack.

Since the magnesium in this case is so course it does not really participate in the reaction as a fuel, so instead I would add say 5-10% magnesium to the ORIGINAL formula, hence not omitting the dextrin binder in the first place.

Magnesium shreds do add a pleasant sizzle, magnalium is even better though.

[sizzle]

Ok, the answers:

1. Don't drop the dextrin at all, use the 4% dextrin as reccomended by Blesser in the original formula.
2. You use the 35% Alcohol 65% water solution (again as reccomended by Blesser).
4. (I assume you meant 3) I myself am unsure of how to test for coating but I don't believe mine were.

Hope this helps.

The stars are indeed cut or pumped as it would prove difficult to roll with Magnesium shreds in. They usually take a day or two to dry fully.

I will explain now about how to measure the formula, I didn't work it into percentages at all basically, it was 70g Potassium Perchlorate, 10g Red Gum, 15g Strontium Carbonate, 1g Charcoal, 15g Magnesium Shreds and 4g Dextrin. I know this doesn't add up to 100 but the formula was created by simply adding 15g of Mg shreds to an already made 100g batch of Blesser Red #1.

[Willem]

[quote name='sizzle' date='Jan 6 2006, 04:06 PM' post='22654']
Ok, the answers:

1. Don't drop the dextrin at all, use the 4% dextrin as reccomended by Blesser in the original formula.
2. You use the 35% Alcohol 65% water solution (again as reccomended by Blesser).
4. (I assume you meant 3) I myself am unsure of how to test for coating but I don't believe mine were.

Hope this helps.

Yes - Great
Thanks to both you and Richard - glad I can use the Dextrin and not go down the messy route
Yes - my third question was almost 4 - I joined the second question to the third and forgot to edit the last number!!

I shall report back my hopeful success with your modified Blesser / new Sizzle formula soon!

Will

[Willem]

Well - what can I say - the Firebreath Red worked like a dream!
- slight trouble with lift height though -

They seem to have dried very quickly - so I thought I'd try one and see if it would ignite or blow blind.
I have left them drying - as I am sure they are probably not entirley dry yet I only made them yesterday..

I tried one in a Roman Candle type test - although I think there was a bit too much of a gap around it - star was 15.2mm O/D (pumped) tube was 17.1mm ID leaving a gap all around it of nearly 1 mm

The star I tested weighed 2.2 gms and I used 1/2 tsp of lift powder under and 1/4 tsp on top shaken round then 3 scoops of delay pressed gently, long visco fuse, I used an 8" long tube to maximise lift - as star was quite big.

The delay ignited, burnt for 3.5 seconds then the lift ignited and a wonderful bright red sparking and sparkling star was lofted (although to a punny height of only 17-20 feet ) - the star burnt and burnt landed back on earth and continued to burn in my wet grass (it was raining most of the day here) for a further 3 seconds

I think the lift powder is good - as I have tested closer fitting stars with the same batch of lift and had a much more pronounced woomph and heights of around 40 to 50 feet reached - so I guess I just need some smaller ID tubes - shame as I have quite a few 17mm ID..

I will make a proper RC during the week (with the correct tubing) and test it next weekend - and try to post a vid.

Thanks again Sizzle - fantastic stars!

Any advice or help on the above greatfully received
(just another thought - maybe it was because the star wasn't dried enough?)

[koobee]

Wait, Richard. You said magnalium would work better? Magnalium shreds? And does anyone have any good go getter formulas. Thats all I know them as, they are pressed in small tubes and shot out of shells and the swim around all crazy like in the sky.

[completebeginner]

I just tested some grnulated star comp using a new forumla I just made
55 kno3
35 charcoal (pine)
10 +100 mesh magnesium
+ 10 dextrin
It burnt slowly with short lived pine sparks and very nice bright white sparks that made a faint crackle

[completebeginner]

Just tested the comp out of a stargun and it was basically a tiger tail with a brighter and shorter tail

[italteen3]

Just got a few tools in from Wolter today and was thinking what I should fill the cavity in with that my new 3/4" cavity pump makes. Any ideas?

The star is
KNO3 - 54
AF - 8
S - 18
Granular Al - 9
Magnalium - 3
Antimony Sulfide - 3
Dextrin - 5

Wetted 75/25.

Pick a formula you think would go well, no chlorates or ammonium compounds please, and if I have all the chems I will keep you guys updated with pics, drying times, and video of the shoot. Nothing that has to be ball milled, only screened and diapered, as my mill is off for the winter.

Few questions. As this is my first cavity pump/star I'm guessing you let the star dry first, then fill with compatible comp of choice?

For a pic>>>
http://homepage.mac....&cty=US&lang=en

[Frozentech]

Veline Color System... anyone like them ? I made up some color stars, primed them with a layer of Veline Super Prime and outer layer of meal powder. Here's a link to a quick video of a test. 3 stars in a 3/4" stargun tube over 3 grams of BP.



[edit - changed hosting link]

Edited by Frozentech, 13 February 2006 - 08:42 PM.

[karlfoxman]

I have used them before, i made the blue ones and found them pale but useable. I like the way they all burn out at the same time, were they wall the same size? I might try the full range of colours at some point soon.

[Frozentech]

I have used them before, i made the blue ones and found them pale but useable. I like the way they all burn out at the same time, were they wall the same size? I might try the full range of colours at some point soon.

I haven't made a blue star yet that I am completely happy with. Is there a blue star comp that you swear by ? The blue and green both did look better live than on camera though.

All three of those stars were the same size, 3/8" pumped. It was nice how they had the same burn time, I am hoping they work as well with 40 or so in a 3" shell. I am also planning to play with the Veline 'fun stuff' color spectrum at some point.

[karlfoxman]

Yes its nice how you can mix the comps like you can with powder paints, without fear of incompatibility issues. Would look good in half and half shells as the colours burn out at the same time. My standard KP blue I use is Conkling KP#1

Potassium perchlorate - 65
Copper Oxide - 14
Saran resin (Parlon in original) - 9
Red gum - 7
Dextrin - 5

I also have a 'Baby blue' i like to add as its good to have a few different shades of colours, this is a nice pale blue that pleases!

'Morning glory blue'

Potassium perchlorate - 60.8
Saran resin - 13
Copper carbonate - 12
Red gum - 9
Dextrin - 4.8

Another good use with the Veline system would be a copy of Kimboltons stunning 'Rainbow Z cake' I never seen it up close and personal but i believe its 100 shot 1" comets that have the most wonderful colours

If you have an account with UK FIREWORKS REVIEW then check it out in the Kimbolton demo, i think UKRA had one last year too.

[Frozentech]

Yes its nice how you can mix the comps like you can with powder paints, without fear of incompatibility issues. Would look good in half and half shells as the colours burn out at the same time. My standard KP blue I use is Conkling KP#1

Potassium perchlorate - 65
Copper Oxide - 14
Saran resin (Parlon in original) - 9
Red gum - 7
Dextrin - 5

I also have a 'Baby blue' i like to add as its good to have a few different shades of colours, this is a nice pale blue that pleases!

'Morning glory blue'

Potassium perchlorate - 60.8
Saran resin - 13
Copper carbonate - 12
Red gum - 9
Dextrin - 4.8

Another good use with the Veline system would be a copy of Kimboltons stunning 'Rainbow Z cake' I never seen it up close and personal but i believe its 100 shot 1" comets that have the most wonderful colours

If you have an account with UK FIREWORKS REVIEW then check it out in the Kimbolton demo, i think UKRA had one last year too.

I don't have an account on there Karl, but I can imagine how good a Z fan cake with 12 different Veline colors all with the same burn characteristics would look ! Thanks for the recommendation on the blues, both of those are going in the notebook, I will try the Conkling KP#1 soon.

[karlfoxman]

I would like to try some Ammonium Perchlorate blues as they will be the best you can make, shame i just cant get hold of it. Post your Veline stars that you make as ill love to have a look at the different colours avaliable

[karlfoxman]

I have a formula here im going to try out, has anyone tried it? This is it:

Deep blue AP star

Ammonium perchlorate 48
Hexamine 14
Copper oxychloride 12
Copper sulfate 6
Dextrin 6
Gum arabic 1

It is supposed to be a lovely deep blue colour and burn fast, i have to buy two of the chemicals first but i have found them so thats ok. I will give it a wirl and post the results with pics/vids here.

Just the thought of deep blue star shells is making me drool