823 replies to this topic

[BigG]

For heaven bloody sake. I knew there will be a day that I will need to say ?I told you so?. Will people on this thread grow up?

I can sum this up with a simple word of advice. Flash is the LAST thing you do. There are SO many things you can do with fireworks without ever needing flash. Why oh why the need to explore it so early in the cycle? Without mentioning names, I can say without any doubt that at least 75% of the peoples posting to this thread are not ready to deal with flash. Step back, THINK, and stay green as much as possible.

I?ll be raising a motion to disallow the discussion of flash outside the advance forum. Honestly, I lose sleep at night over this ? knowing that there will be some idiot that does not understand what a gram of flash does.

[Pyromaster2003]

OK i do not at all see the problem with placing a couple of mg of chlorate/al flash in a ink cartrige, it is more dangerous to make a paper cracker than to pour some flash into a tube and stick a fuse in! What is dangerous about that? I have been using the tubes for a long time and they are very useful tubes for testing flash as they are the same in every way which means they produce fairly accurate results from test to test with different comps. Most of the time i do just put a gram on some craft paper with a fuse leading to it just to see how it burns.

Making more sensitive, powerful and dangerous compositions for experimental purposes is my decision and i have also deciced that i don't want to lose fingers or a hand which is why its all done SAFELY. The comps i experiment with will NOT just blow up in my face while diapering or go off without reason, so aslong as i don't cause friction, static, shock, heat... its not going to blow anything off just a couple of blades of grass from my lawn!

Fair enough milling Mg powder is very dangerous and i will hurt my self seriously if i have an accident but milling Mg in any way is going to be very dangerous either way its done! Lead balls are now being used and if they don't work il leave it and buy some.

I have experimented with flash powder for a looong time and have seen the power of it in some tests iv done, i know what power it has and respect that, which is why i never make more than 10 grams of standard flash (the one that is made in pounds (i think) and put through fine mesh in industry accodring to BigG, not saying he is lying just making a point) and 1 gram is the most i make of more powerful flash powders.

In a test a while ago 1.5 grams of flash was placed into a 50mm long and 12mm ID tube which was fused in the middle and had ends blocked off. This maroon was then placed on a wooden board with a thickness of about 6 or 7 mm as a demonstration. The device made a huge bang and left a whole straight through the board, i had a video of this experiment but it was deleted.

Thanks for the advice but i aint no idiot and know what im doing when it comes to flash (not saying im an expert but iv had experience and know the power and sensitivity).

Edited by Pyromaster2003, 06 July 2006 - 10:32 AM.

[paul]

Good points. I followed the whole discussion and I think the other guys just wanted to beware you from any harm to you or other persons or things.

You made clear, that you handled flash for a long time now, tried many different comps. and know whyt you handle. I respect the guys around here giving all the safety instructions again and again but it?s now up to Pyromaster2003 what to do I guess.

[EnigmaticBiker]

Good points. I followed the whole discussion and I think the other guys just wanted to beware you from any harm to you or other persons or things.

You made clear, that you handled flash for a long time now, tried many different comps. and know whyt you handle. I respect the guys around here giving all the safety instructions again and again but it?s now up to Pyromaster2003 what to do I guess.

Very much agree, safety advice is necessary to prevent accidents due to ignorance.

As adults we make our own choices and take our own risks*.

One aspect I haven't seen mentioned is that of the effect of injuries on the rest of the pyro community.
A lot of the regulations that make it difficult to practice any pyro privately, were put in place following (preventable) accidents. The press loves traumatic amputations.

Large bangs in residential areas could attract very unwanted attention, hurt someone else and the law will get nasty.

I totally agree with BigBang and BigGs' decision not to post formulations, if people are so experienced and interested in this to do this aspect of pyro safely they also have the ability to learn the chemistry and do the research.
Kids, newbies and idiots may be are watching.




*as a smoker, drinker who rides bikes I'm clearly doomed.
Not at the same time of course, the helmet gets in the way.

[Richard H]

I would question whether a number of people in this thread actually own any books or such on the subject. It would seem not.

[minalth]

I made some (small ammount, 3 grams or so (and didnt let it all off at once)) flash with ball-milled potassium nitrate and >200 mesh magnalium. I only contained it in a little paper triangle thing.
I can't think of many applications that would need anything more powerful than this that aren't way out of the league of most amateur pyros.

really, how big a bang do you need???

[BigG]

I have experimented with flash powder for a looong time and have seen the power of it in some tests iv done, i know what power it has and respect that, which is why i never make more than 10 grams of standard flash (the one that is made in pounds (i think) and put through fine mesh in industry accodring to BigG, not saying he is lying just making a point) and 1 gram is the most i make of more powerful flash powders.

I am not sure what do you talk about. Your post had so many mistakes in it - but I'm not going to continue this argument. It seems pointless. I will make note for those who might misread the section above from your post: standard flash is not made in pounds. A factory will usually will not mix and work with more then a SINGLE pound of flash at a time (and I am talking about fully working factory with industry type safety procedures in place). Also, flash should NEVER be screened through a fine mash - gods forbiden - it should be only mixed using a dipper method.

[Ritual33]

Amen to that!

By the way, how sensitive are arial and ground flash salutes once there sealed into a tube? I mean, would the danger be friction or static, if so how much persuasion would it need to explode? Commercial fireworks are pretty safe to handle from experience but is this because of the way they are sealed or the amount they use?

Regards,
Drew

[James P]

Just thank god that fine metal flakes are not easily or cheaply available. People are always complaining about how hard it is to get hold of them, to be honest i think its a blessing...

[portfire]

well iv been reading this forum for over a year now and only been a member for a couple of months. there's alot of intelligent here .my advice is to listen too the people who really know what there on about. i am not 1 to get on anybodys case but iv got a book on flash and reading the treads about it here scares the hell out of me i dont think al ever try it

[BigBang]

Just thank god that fine metal flakes are not easily or cheaply available. People are always complaining about how hard it is to get hold of them, to be honest i think its a blessing...

JamesP, unfortunately you are wrong. Its all to easy to get hold of pyro grade flake Ally. Im not going to say where, but its not to difficult to guess. People sell this stuff to total strangers, without any checks as to who they are supplying. Thats how it gets into the hands of complete beginers, and this is where the problems start.

It seems to me (as bigG also said), people start this hobby by wanting to make flash first instead of leaving it until they have enough experience to know what they are doing.

I myself have been asked by a few members of this forum, who were obviously newbies, to supply them with flake ally. I of course refused, but theyve obviously managed to get it from somewhere, coz they have admitted to it on this thread. Which proves my point that its not really that hard to get hold of.

[portfire]

it seems to me that alot of people want to make flash . whats wrong with good quality bp. i admit im a "pup" as it were to pyro chemistry and just started making bp . but the stuff i'v read about flash it's best left alone

[Ritual33]

Could any experienced pyro answer my last post, I have never been able to find an answer to this.

Cheers,
Drew

[portfire]

http://www.ukrocketr...?showtopic=2065


post 11 richard h...hope this helps

Edited by portfire, 06 July 2006 - 09:00 PM.

[Pyromaster2003]

I am not sure what do you talk about. Your post had so many mistakes in it - but I'm not going to continue this argument. It seems pointless. I will make note for those who might misread the section above from your post: standard flash is not made in pounds. A factory will usually will not mix and work with more then a SINGLE pound of flash at a time (and I am talking about fully working factory with industry type safety procedures in place). Also, flash should NEVER be screened through a fine mash - gods forbiden - it should be only mixed using a dipper method.

There was an arguement the other day or week about the best way to mix flash powder or something and i said that diapering is the safest and that running it through a screen could cause it to have a static charge. You then said there is no problem with running it though a screen as its done by the pound in industry (in any case 1lb is about 450grams of flash powder - just shows it can be done safely even with huge amounts like that, these are obviously trained professionals but still it shows that it can be done if you know what your doing).

minalth - its not about how loud a bang i get as i live in a built up area which isn't suitable. Its just about me experimenting with flash powders and seeing how they react because it interests me - thats all.

Flash powder, like i said before, isn't going to suddenly ignite and blow your hand off for no reason - just like black powder. But some idiot will be smoking a cig near the black powder and next thing....BOOM, just like there will be some idiot who starts grinding flash powder in a mortar and pestle and the same thing happens....no hand left. Its all about the person who is working with the flash and how sensible you are. Treat it with respect, KNOW what your doing and remember that its very sensitive to handle and you will be ok.

Edited by Pyromaster2003, 07 July 2006 - 11:43 AM.