6 replies to this topic

[Mortartube]

I popped into Wilko today (Burgess Hill, West Sussex) and bought some boiled linseed oil which scanned at £1.25 for 500ml instead of the displayed price of £3.50.  don't know if this is nationwide, but if it is, you might want to try Oiled Stars from Kentish. I have never made them, but I know someone who has, who said they are a beautiful and unique effect. So if you fancy giving it a go whilst it's cheap, here's the formula.

 

 

OILED TAILED STARS FOR ROCKETS AND SHELLS.

 

Number                           1   2   3

 

Charcoal                          9   6   2

Sulphur                            9   5   2

Nitre                               32  18  9

Meal powder                  24  12  5

Sulphuret of Antimony   16     9  4

 

To 1 ounce add twenty-four drops of boiled linseed oil: rub them thoroughly together in a mortar; then spread out the mixture, for a few days, to dry. When dry, mix with starch, dextrine solution, or gum water, and chop into 3⁄8 or 1⁄2 inch cubical blocks.

Edited by Mortartube, 21 December 2016 - 08:38 PM.

[cooperman435]

Sounds interesting, do you have any footage or description of the effect?

 

Im assuming the oil is used here as a part binder and fuel?

[Mortartube]

I don't have any footage and haven't actually seen them, but when I worked at Wells, I was told by the owner of the time, that he had made them and they were a beautiful effect. He often would be vague in his descriptions, I think as an encouragement to go and do it yourself and see what it looks like. When there is better drying weather, I might have  a bash and try a few from a star gun. Sadly my cheapy phone is the only video camera I have any real access to and I assume that they will probably be willow like and of a fairly low luminosity.

 

I think that the oil will play more than one role, probably part fuel, part binder and also may retard the burning speed to give a long tail effect. We shall see when the weather improves.

Edited by Mortartube, 22 December 2016 - 10:06 AM.

[cooperman435]

I look forwards to seeing it then, hopefully were trying to arrange some meet up days where we can legally experiment as its been missing for too long!

[Mortartube]

That would be great, but in my guise of earning a living as a DJ/Karaoke man I rarely get a weekend free. Here's hoping.

[cooperman435]

Amen to the entertainment industry destroying our personal times :-)

[Tinderbox]

Did anybody get anywhere with this effect? Video footage?