19 replies to this topic

[FITH]

So the most powerful flash powder I've noticed on the internet is the Potassium Perchlorate and Dark Aluminium Powder, I'm making an order from a polish website to make some firecrackers but Potassium Perchlorate is hard to buy without license and that, so I've figured out that u can replace the Potassium Perchlorate with Potassium Nitrate, is that right?

give me an answear and an explaining to it

 

This is the 2 Powders that I'm planning to mix

 

Potassium Nitrate http://gyazo.com/b5d...5bcb33c4f9c3e21

 

Aluminium Powder http://gyazo.com/6bf...be4064e4fdf5446

[David G]

Flash powder is not something a beginner should be thinking about.

[exat808]

 I'm making an order from a polish website to make some firecrackers  - So that I can manufacture an explosive article without holding an explosives certificate and the  possession of the manufactured article is prohibited in GB. - Please send me a cat so I can tie one to its tail!!! 

 

 

but Potassium Perchlorate is hard to buy without license and that, so I've figured out that u can replace the Potassium Perchlorate with Potassium Nitrate, is that right?

give me an answear and an explaining to it  - Sorry for the mickey taking above - your answer - please read Explosives Regulations 2014 - please also take the time to read the many excellent posts on these forums from experienced and competent long term members of the recreational pyro community in UK 

 

 

[Vic]

Are there no pyro forums in Denmark were you can ask these questions?

Edited by Vic, 08 April 2015 - 09:10 PM.

[FITH]

I would really apreciate that someone could actually help me with what i need, either u post a relevant reply or else u dont even reply
Thank you

[FITH]

I'm making an order from a polish website to make some firecrackers - So that I can manufacture an explosive article without holding an explosives certificate and the possession of the manufactured article is prohibited in GB. - Please send me a cat so I can tie one to its tail!!!


but Potassium Perchlorate is hard to buy without license and that, so I've figured out that u can replace the Potassium Perchlorate with Potassium Nitrate, is that right?
give me an answear and an explaining to it - Sorry for the mickey taking above - your answer - please read Explosives Regulations 2014 - please also take the time to read the many excellent posts on these forums from experienced and competent long term members of the recreational pyro community in UK

I dont really bother going into old posts and such but thank you for taking your time to answear

Edited by FITH, 09 April 2015 - 09:17 AM.

[dannytsg]

I dont really bother going into old posts and such but thank you for taking your time to answear

 

To be perfectly fair the old posts you refer to will provide 90% of the answers you require. If you aren't willing to do your own research using this good forum as a wealth of resources and knowledge then say goodbye to your fingers or worse when you get something wrong having haphazardly tried something without full knowledge.

 

There are also plenty of pyrotechnic chemistry resources that could help you in finding an answer but no-one on here is going to provide you a work around to circumnavigate the legislation that applies.

[Arthur Brown]

Pyro is a hobby that bites back if you don't take appropriate care. Either the law of the land or the laws of natural selection apply -probably both! 

 

There are numbers of well researched pyro places on the web containing work from many well regarded pyro workers, and advice on compliance. It would seem that FITH intends to test himself to destruction by the determined refusal of advice and refusal to research any project he wishes to complete.

 

Darwin award imminent.

[GMetcalf]

So for my offer of helpful advice:

Firstly, stay away from flash powder. It's not particularly friendly and even someone like me who's been doing this for years still fills his pants whenever I have to make it.

Secondly, stay away from flash powder, it really is that dangerous.

Thirdly... I think you get the idea.

 

To answer your question, no you can't just swap Perchlorate with Nitrate. Nitrate can be used to make flash powder (and I prefer making nitrate flash myself) but it involves a totally different formula.

 

If you really want to go ahead and make firecrackers AND you're staying above board in regards to the law AND you're going to be making things intelligently and not at all, as Arthur has indicated, with a want for a Darwin award, give Black Powder firecrackers a go instead. Making some decent black powder is probably the best project for someone who's new to pyrotechnics and is the least likely to cause a massive accident, but that said, Black Powder can be rather powerful stuff and it should always be regarded with respect. That said it really doesn't sound like you're trying to stick to legislation, hence you're going to receive a lot of hostility from people here, and for good reason!

[Arthur Brown]

Great Britain is the only part of the EC to permit amateur pyrotechnics, and that is because of representations by the UKPS and for and on behalf of the UKPS. It's still fragile and could easily go if miss used so we strongly prefer to do things within the UK law here in the UK, and dislike others bringing the arrangements here into question.

[FITH]

So for my offer of helpful advice:

Firstly, stay away from flash powder. It's not particularly friendly and even someone like me who's been doing this for years still fills his pants whenever I have to make it.

Secondly, stay away from flash powder, it really is that dangerous.

Thirdly... I think you get the idea.

 

To answer your question, no you can't just swap Perchlorate with Nitrate. Nitrate can be used to make flash powder (and I prefer making nitrate flash myself) but it involves a totally different formula.

 

If you really want to go ahead and make firecrackers AND you're staying above board in regards to the law AND you're going to be making things intelligently and not at all, as Arthur has indicated, with a want for a Darwin award, give Black Powder firecrackers a go instead. Making some decent black powder is probably the best project for someone who's new to pyrotechnics and is the least likely to cause a massive accident, but that said, Black Powder can be rather powerful stuff and it should always be regarded with respect. That said it really doesn't sound like you're trying to stick to legislation, hence you're going to receive a lot of hostility from people here, and for good reason! Alright, Which one of the chemicals on PyroGarage is the black powder? is it this one?: http://gyazo.com/c1a...9f20f80360b8d23

and ty for the advice <3

[GMetcalf]

So before I go handing out advice, let me ask; how new to pyrotechnics are you? It sounds like you have no experience whatsoever. In which case I am worried about your safety trying to give these things a go, not to mention you getting arrested for breaking the law by making explosives!

 

More importantly, black powder is NOT a chemical!!! It certainly is not dark aluminium powder which you are asking if it is... It is a mixture of chemicals which is a low explosive. I really don't like the sound of having ready made black powder shipped around Europe so I would advise against you buying any online...

[Niall]

While forums are an excellent resource for information and we would be willing to help, I can't help but notice a hint of ignorance.

I don't mean that in the rude sense, I mean it by way of 'unknown knowledge'. We aren't here to get you a bang.

The problem I'm tackling is that this is really basic knowledge that is available through meticulous background reading.

I don't mind being wrong, I hope you are well read, and I encourage people into the hobby and to learn more.

But it isn't easy. As much as it may appear otherwise. It's fair enough having access to formulae and simply mixing it.

Understanding what you are doing is far more important. Substitutions are a dangerous area for the uninitiated. The mechanisms of reaction are not simple, one oxidiser or chlorine donor is not the same as another. Some are 'top heavy' and will go off before you get near a match.

Can I encourage a little research of your own across the literature? I say it because it is vital. If you are not prepared to trawl forums for info, how much else can't you be bothered with?

It is all very well advising on substitutions, but how do we know you won't try the same with an aluminium mixture, or barium? How do we know you have sufficient knowledge of volatile incompatibilities? What if your perchlorate is not high purity and you mix it with sulphur? What can you expect? What should you watch out for?

We would be extremely happy to help, but the level of question you are asking seemingly exposes your background experience to us as very little.

My best advice is to start with oxidation and fuels. Research incompatibilities and then come back to us. And you will be made very welcome to discuss this further.

There is a reason that 'flash' is not for beginners, you are admittedly a beginner. What makes it better for you to overlook this fact?

Can you see where we are coming from?

If anything, get your black powder right first. This will teach you far more than you think you are learning at the time.

If you can't make a shell with just black powder, this is not the hobby for you, nor will you ever become competent.

Edited by Niall, 11 April 2015 - 02:58 PM.

[Niall]

Fith,

I had a little look for a starting point for you, I felt this was a good one.

http://www.wnypa.50g.com/wepsk2.htm

Make some time to read it. If there are terms you don't understand, don't guess, Google!

Allow yourself to follow your own inquiry, don't settle for the first page on the search results, see what the consensus is, even though the consensus notion can easily be wrong.

Any questions, post them up, we'll see if we can get you on your feet quickly!

I hope this helps.

[Niall]

Next week I'm holding a 'throw a dart at the moon' competition. It's free to members. The prize is a golden turd.

Please post other suggestions below.

Glitter counting championship.
Insect hospital charity event.
Underwater shouting competition.
Guess which way is 'up' on the sun.
Grass polishing academy awards.

if you press your belly button too hard, does your tummy pop out?

I wonder which hospital Fith is in? It might be two different wards at once. Seemed nice, albeit extreme rude and stupid.

Nitrate and aluminium..... Guess he figured out that nitrates and aluminium don't mx! Wonder what else he 'figured out'.

Luckily, a lot of mistakes we can avoid by using 'knowledge'.

I figured out that eating borax makes you fireproof. Ciao.

Edited by Niall, 12 April 2015 - 09:04 AM.