15 replies to this topic

[Arthur Brown]

What powder do you suggest for the best fireball effect. Specifically please mention any commercial product that works really well.

[Deano 1]

I've thought about this myself Arthur, I've tried milk powders and fine dusts of all descriptions. My next port of call is to make really charcoal rich (airfloat) bp mix with some cabosil to make it fluffy, I supose it depends which charcoal I use, the lighter the better. This post could be really interesting.

Edited by Deano 1, 25 January 2012 - 10:59 PM.

[dave]

What powder do you suggest for the best fireball effect. Specifically please mention any commercial product that works really well.

arthur,

try a hexamine / red gum mixture, i forget the ratios.
shake to make a loose structure before firing, it tends to go hard on prolonged storage

dave

[dave]

deanno,

cabosil is a flow agent, it helps powder flow better.........if they flow better they pack down quicker, so may not actually creat a fluffy constituency,
especially after handling etc.

on the other hand it does help prevent agglomeration, particularly at higher levels
(1% seems effective to nullify any agglomeration of colophony resin on storage)

dave

[Arthur Brown]

Actually I want to use a reail powder, possibly a dried milk or the like, so please I'm looking for opinion relating to things like CoffeeMate etc

[Creepin_pyro]

Never used it myself but I've heard lots of people talk about calves milk replacer, seems to be a readily available and cheap source when bought in bulk from agricultural suppliers. Other commercial products that come to mind would be powdered walnuts and Gilsonite.

Some comparison of the various powders here:

http://www.skylighte...a-fireballs.asp

[Deano 1]

deanno,

cabosil is a flow agent, it helps powder flow better.........if they flow better they pack down quicker, so may not actually creat a fluffy constituency,
especially after handling etc.

on the other hand it does help prevent agglomeration, particularly at higher levels
(1% seems effective to nullify any agglomeration of colophony resin on storage)

dave

Dave, if I stir the cabosil in my milled powder and then sieve it into my tube it should be fluffy. I use cabosil at work and a 10 kilo bag is nearly as tall as me. If I milled it in it would probably compact. The proof will be in the pudding.

[Deano 1]

Actually I want to use a reail powder, possibly a dried milk or the like, so please I'm looking for opinion relating to things like CoffeeMate etc

I've tried tesco full fat creamer powder and I just ended up with a white lawn, the best I've had so far is with airfloat willow charcoal, it created a sort of fire ball but had lots of lasting golden sparks on the breeze.

[dave]

Dave, if I stir the cabosil in my milled powder and then sieve it into my tube it should be fluffy. I use cabosil at work and a 10 kilo bag is nearly as tall as me. If I milled it in it would probably compact. The proof will be in the pudding.

yeah i know, its real fluffy stuff on its own.
i used to use it at work too (pharmaceutical industry)

it might initially be fluffy and loose but it will pack down if subjected to handling / taps/ vibration

dave

[fruitfulsteve]

Not quite the same thing, but i've often wondered if methanol/boric acid or metallic chloride in a bag in a mine case with bag of lift would give a nice coloured flame.

Anyone tried this or similar ?

[dave]

Not quite the same thing, but i've often wondered if methanol/boric acid or metallic chloride in a bag in a mine case with bag of lift would give a nice coloured flame.

Anyone tried this or similar ?

sounds like a coloured "lampare shell" or "ghost mine"

dave

Edited by dave, 26 January 2012 - 10:40 PM.

[fruitfulsteve]

lol utube came up with a load of deserted mines !!

Sounds like a good effect thou.

[Creepin_pyro]

Not quite the same thing, but i've often wondered if methanol/boric acid or metallic chloride in a bag in a mine case with bag of lift would give a nice coloured flame.

Anyone tried this or similar ?

Like these?

[scjb]

Now that's purdy!

[fruitfulsteve]

That looks to be it

I'm guessing methanol, being fairly cheap and cleanish burning.