129 replies to this topic

[italteen3]

Last Night i made a fountain with iron powder and aluminium powder.
I had 3 parts Bp to 1 part iron powder in the frist fountain and that went fine.
But then on the larger fountain i did pretty much the same 3 to 1 mix with aluminium powder. I layered the mixes up so that it went (from the bottom) Iron, aluminium, iron, aluminium. and then just befor the clay choke i had some plain BP.

It was certainly a good fountain with an amazing start! but afer it had cooled on close inspection it had LOADS of slag around the top of the choke?

I wasnt sure why this was because there wasn't any on the first fountain.
Any thoughts?

When pressing, I hope, your fountains. In between each layer or every so often press a small layer of BP in to help clear the choke up. It kind of blows any blockage out of the way. I cant remember where on here but I think Ive read it is a good solution to helping prevent catos if your fountain starts fine then boom.

[broadsword]

When pressing, I hope, your fountains.  In between each layer or every so often press a small layer of BP in to help clear the choke up.  It kind of blows any blockage out of the way.  I cant remember where on here but I think Ive read it is a good solution to helping prevent catos if your fountain starts fine then boom.

I have never had the problem with CATo because the force of the BP burinin jst forces all the slag out of the way! but i will try that solution, thanks

[al69]

hi i was wondering whether you can ball mill iron fillings?. i know that when you ball mill aluminium, you need to make sure it has a layer of oxide, because if it doesnt then it might spontaneously combust when you open the ball mill. (by the way i have ceramic media)


i was also wondering if the iron can cause a spark inside the ball mill while its being knocked against each other?. And if it did would it combust/explode?.

thanks

[ProfHawking]

I maybe mistaken, but i think there is a very low possibility, but still some that ceramic media can spark.
You might want to check that. Milling any metals to a fine powder is dangerous, especially with media that may spark.

[Mumbles]

Yes, iron can spark by the way. I don't know if a ball mill will impart enough force for it to happen though. The Fe will be embeded in your media, and I would NEVER use them again for the chance of it sparking.

[adamw]

Iron + grinding = bad idea. Who wants to chance the possibility of getting a spark, and as Mumbles correctly says, there is a good chance of getting the iron embedded in the milling media (especially if it is lead).

Find another way of reducing the size of the iron. Just don't use a ball mill (or coffee grinder etc!)

[Richard H]

If you have a seperate jar for metals, and some stainless steel media then that would be a safe way to go about it.

[Pieman]

I've had quite alot of luck with fountians, and am quite pleased with my BP, what is the next logical step (learning to walk before i can run) I really want to be able to make at least one more thing before my birthday (november 5th!!!) so i thought i should get practicing now. I was thinking roman candles? what do you suggest?

[Richard H]

If you have fountains working well and consistently then I would suggest trying wheels or saxons. If your fountains have a good enough choke (say 1/3 case i.d.) and the composition is fierce enough then they should be ideal as turning cases / drivers for wheels.

Roman candles are more tricky than you might think! Once you've tried wheels maybe start experimenting with putting your bp to use in lifting comets, and then move on to roman candles.

[seymour]

If your BP is up to lifting things, then small mines are a very realistic and pretty option. You'd be amazed how high a 1" mine shoots. 4" mines are nice too, but not a very good starting project.