40 replies to this topic

[GMetcalf]

Here's a very simple but concise page on pyrotechnic safety, including incompatible chemical mixes:

 

http://www.cannonfus...duction-d29.htm

 

Where have you been researching so far?

[FITH]

Here's a very simple but concise page on pyrotechnic safety, including incompatible chemical mixes:
 
http://www.cannonfus...duction-d29.htm
 
Where have you been researching so far?

Thank you for the link, i read the Introduction: Good Pyro Info. I took notes and read the safety notes through a couple times and feel alot safer now so thank you, is there anything you'd suggest me reading anywhere?

I have mostly been searching around on alot of websites from forum topics, pyro guides ect. Havent really had any information source list going on my research journy

[spectrum]

I don't think it's the recipient who 'carries the can' for transport regs breaches.

 

If you make a purchase or cause any substance/article to be transported unclassified you stand to be implicated in any actions taken by the authorities....along with the sender/supplier

[Arthur Brown]

While a pyrotechnic article or substance may be lawful in one country that is NO chance that it's also lawful in all other countries. 

[Niall]

Wow, not sure how we got back to the barrack room barrister court!

Good news Fith. Look for Skylighter, look across the range of articles. There is some excellent info on metals and copper in particular of I remember right.

Nitrates and Aluminium are risky in their own right in the presence of moisture. Aluminium on its own can catch fire with water, so imagine the risk with added nitrate. It might seem counter-intuitive that water presents a fire risk, but these are the things I'm trying to point to, so this is why I'm suggesting you look for yourself, it builds a much bigger picture.

Satisfy yourself that you have a basic chemistry awareness that makes sense to be researched in advance of experiment!

Edited by Niall, 22 April 2015 - 10:49 PM.

[megabusa]

A good place to start, before you start with metals & colour comps is black powder.

 

Until you master your BP you will not be able to propel any of your effects into the air, unless you are happy just making ground effects.

 

I would recommend starting with perfecting BP & then from here you can make blackmatch, which is used in quickmatch (essential for shells & mortar based devices).

 

Once you have working BP, you could then make simple charcoal stars (Tiger Tail is easy enough) & when you have them working you can then move on to making a firework.

 

A good first one to do is a star mine, using the Tiger Tail stars. If you make a successful 50mm Tiger Tail mine, I guarantee you will be impressed & have a feeling of satisfaction.

 

Mines are very easy to make & are also very effective. They are a lot easier than shells & require less time.

 

My 50mm mines contain 60g of stars (approx 10mm in size) with 15g of BP in the bottom for lift. They go with a fair old bang & propel a column of stars a good height. This size is not something to do in a small garden however, you will want to be at least 40m away from other people & property.

 

You can always scale this down to the size of your site. I also make 30mm mines, which are more suitable for a (larger) garden. They contain 10g of stars (5mm) with 3g of lift.

 

The key is to get the basics first & then work your way up.

[Niall]

Absolutely, as I said in another thread, BP is your bread and butter, if you get it right you can do without flash. Moreover, it teaches so much more than you think you are learning.

Also, rocket powders and rockets are an excellent intro, and in no way boring!

[GMetcalf]

I second that on rockets, I still prefer to lift my shells using rockets rather than a mortar!

[Niall]

Exactly, and before you even get to bursts, the rocket is a firework in its own right. I learnt most by starting with rockets and fountains.

I wrote something somewhere on rockets, will try and root it out.

[GMetcalf]

Fountains are still one of my favourite effects! I always start a show with some glitter fountains followed by some bushy, white Titanium fountains. Then there's always crackle fountains, but that's another story!

[Vic]

You can learn so much from fountains, you are close up and see it in so much more detail than a shell.

It is one of the best groundings in firework chemistry and so easy to tweak to you harts content.