60 replies to this topic

[Keithl]

Hi
I'm new to the Forum, but one thing missing that I noticed is that there is no forum for tools and equipment.
I am new to the hobby and would find such a forum very informative, as no doubt would other "Newbies"

[The_Djinn]

Welcome KeithL,

You will find tooling mentioned within a lot of the other links but as you say it probably deserves its own thread as it will make things easier to find.

Mark

[adamw]

OK, to start thing rolling - A tool for making small discs:

Wad punch

Here is an essential bit of kit:

Ball mill

Do a search on the forum for more about ball mills.

[Mortartube]

God, that's the cheapest set of wad cutters I've ever seen. I know someone who paid more than that for one cutter.

[alany]

Typical, I just placed a bid on an identical set on eBay!

Edited by alany, 26 February 2004 - 09:51 PM.

[pyrodude]

What are the Wad punches for???

[Mortartube]

Wad cutters are for cutting out discs of cardboard, millboard, leather etc. It is a ring shaped punch that you place on the material to be cut and then you hit it hard with a hammer. Voila! one perfect disc.

[italteen3]

Also do not forget a scale. One of the most important, if not the most important, tools needed for pyrotechnics.

[Stuart]

Check out the lab supplies section I think it for scales, I got mine (150g 0.1g) for ?15

Stuart

[willd]

why would you want to cut cardboard or leather circles

[Mortartube]

why would you want to cut cardboard or leather circles

Perhaps not so much leather in the fireworks world (just a personal fetish of mine, that's why I mentioned it).

Card or millboard discs for cylinder shell ends, lifting plates in mines, to seal the end of tubes, rocket headings etc. paper discs to go over the top of confetti cartridges etc. The list goes on.

[adamw]

Just think of all the things you -wouldnt- be able to do without discs! You'd have a hard time making rocket headings, cylinder shells and a whole load of other things. You need discs!!!!

Yes Scales also. Invest in some decent electronic ones with a 0.1g accuracy that will go up to 1kg. Buying any postal ones is a waste of money. Balance scales can be accurate too, but are a pain in the ass to use as you have to wait for them to 'settle'. The pair of Salter spring scales in your cupboard for baking... well, don't even go there!!

If you can get a good press you are also on to a winner. An 'arbor' or screw press is good for making discs, pressing comets and rockets and a lot of other things.

Making stars - For one, I don't like star plates. They stick and are horrible. Or perhaps I havent found a good one yet. I'd buy (http://www.wolterpyrotools.com) or try and make some star pumps from BRASS / Aluminum. You'll need a metalworking lathe by the way. A plastic bucket and a motor will make a star roller. Please remember the danger of using electric motors, which can spark, with pyro.

[phildunford]

You can make a tolerable star pump using copper/aluminium/brass tubing and hardwood dowel for a plunger. Know it's not ideal, but you can do it without a lathe.

Apart from the 'plumbing size' tubes, DIY stores often stock 1 M lengths of tubing in various (useful) bores.



Will put some pics/ method on my website soon...

Agree that 'star plates' are a pain - they are hard to fill to a good density and the stars tend to be too soft & break up.

[alany]

How does one use a star plate? I've never seen the procedure described.

[Mortartube]

This link will show you how to make a star plate. The holes are filled with star mix which is pulled over the top of the star plate and skimmed with a scraper. The pin plate is then used to eject the stars. It will probably be clearer when you see the picture.

http://www.wecreate4.../starplate.html