12 replies to this topic

[Sparky]

Hi all,

I'm relatively new to this forum but have been a avid follower of pyro forums for a number of years. I've finally taken the plunge and am taking my early steps into some basic pyro experiments and I'm having a great time learning the ropes.

I've started on basic gerbs with very basic compositions and also got my self some titanium to add some excitement. I even tried my first coloured gerbs and stars using strontium nitrate / carbonate so I'm very proud of my self right now :-)

So with that all in mind I've started looking at making my gerbs more pro by ramming them and adding clay chokes and I have all I need to do this. I make my own paper tubes and have bentonite clay which works brilliantly. However, if you add low mesh metals I know that ramming becomes slightly dodgy as these can spark.

Can anyone offer advice on what you do if you feel you can't ram with say titanium sponge? How unsafe is ramming a gerb with titanium sponge in? I don't see spherical Titanium for sale anywhere? Is Ferrotitanium safer and what other metals could I use instead or safely ram with?

Cheers

Michael

[Deano 1]

Hi Sparky, I wouldn't personally hand ram anything other than comps that contain the basic BP chemicals, I had the same question many moons ago, so I set too making a hydraulic press, best thing I've ever made

All the best and stay safe

Dean

[dave]

ramming / pressing bp mixtures which include titanium is not without its potential issues, due to the brittleness of titanium,
and friction issues.

i know of an incident many years ago where gerbs were being made, using such a mixture, which resulted
in a fatal accident.

the incident was investigated and levels of titanium in the mix along with particle size evaluated.

so............... bear that in mind

dave

[Vic]

There is no need to ram or use a mechanical press, you can just use your own body weight to press down on your rammer after each increment.
Keep your increments small and if you use titanium try to get titanium flake as opposed to sponge, but I wouldn’t worry too much with only hand pressing.

Happy fountain making

[Sparky]

I did wonder about the need to ram as my first few were simply comp poured into an open tube and they weren't bad.

My only question now is how to I ram a plug or nozzle with clay if I don't ram the comp?

[Sparky]

I did wonder about the need to ram as my first few were simply comp poured into an open tube and they weren't bad.

My only question now is how to I ram a plug or nozzle with clay if I don't ram the comp?

Hmmm I need to be clearer.

When using bentonite to add a nozzle and a plug by definition I need to ram the clay onto comp to form at least one clay end.

Hope that makes sense.

p.s. I made my first Chinese Dragon Eggs tonight....damn this is addictive.

[Vic]

Just press the clay nozzle the same, using your own body weight.

[Mumbles]

What size of gerbs are you referring to Vic? Surely body weight would eventually become insufficient past a certain level.

[Vic]

What size of gerbs are you referring to Vic? Surely body weight would eventually become insufficient past a certain level.

I have gone up to ¾” but the renowned gerb maker John Glasswick regularly made them up to
1½” in this manner, at that time he weighed 15 stone.

[Mumbles]

It's honestly the nozzle I'd be somewhat skeptical of. I'd be rather surprised if he actually pressed the nozzle by hand. It'd make more sense to build them upside down. Ram the nozzle first with a hammer, and then press the other increments in. The bottom doesn't always need reinforcement, but a cardboard disk could be glued in or light clay plug pressed by body weight. The nozzle has to deal with a lot more stress than the bottom tube.

It may also be worth it to keep in mind that John was pressing rather dense and relatively slow burning perchlorate comps. They certainly don't have the spring or violent burn that BP type comps can have. I don't know if I'd trust them as much if pressing by body pressure.

[Sparky]

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll see how I get on by forming the nozzle first and then body pressing the comp and final end plug. I'm quite a large guy so I may be at an advantage :-)

[Arthur Brown]

If you ram the nozzle, then fill upside down compacting as neded, then at the end add a plug made of white glue mixed with fine sawdust. ISTR som reall vintage fireworks with plugs like that - someone will put in a picture of something 60's era!

[Sparky]

I'm actually old enough to remember those chip board style end plugs!!!

In the end I rammed the nozzle and hand pressed the rest and plugged with clay and it held fine, even with quite a vigorous composition.

Thanks for all the advice!