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Notes
on Fireworks I am the pyro dummy, fusing, running, shooting... maneuvers calculated brilliantly |
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Notes
on Fireworks I am the pyro dummy, fusing, running, shooting... maneuvers calculated brilliantly |
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WARNING AND DISCLAIMER: If you are underage, then consult with your parents or guardians before attempting any of this. You are on your own - I'm not responsible for your actions or harm you may bring to others because of your actions. Making the items described below can result in injury or death to you or people in your vicinity. Some things mentioned here may be illegal to make in your city, county, state, or country so check the laws that apply to you before you attempt anything described here. These notes are not complete on purpose. If you are reading them and new to pyrotechnics, then you are making a mistake. Stop now - this page is not for you. Get a beginning book on fireworks (see Skylighter or American Fireworks News (very quick shipping) for a start) and read up. You can't make any of this work without more information so read up or join a club or ask someone to help you.
Get all supplies through Skylighter, CannonFuse, Firefox, or similar.
NOTE: This site is not a commercial site and nothing is for sale. This site is a living notebook only and is advertisement free.
Index
SAFETY TIPS Click on the red letters and visit this link first
Safety Accident Analysis - How one of the most benign mixes we work with caused a fatality. There are additional comments from an email by Kurt Medlin. This was reposted by permission from the PGI bulletin and credit is given at the front of the article.
Stainless Steel Bowl Ignition. Never use stainless steel bowls when working in the sunlight. If you have a live composition in the bowl, it can ignite. This link is to a short video by Blake Stoltz. It shows an ignition of some BP after only 30 seconds in the sunlight. In the test previous to this video, the ignition occurred approximately 5 seconds after setting the bowl in the sun.
Tool List An incomplete start to the tools you will need
Sources for Information Here is a good place to browse next
Be sure to read about charcoal as a variable - Your choice of charcoal is critical to the outcome of many of the experiments listed on this site.
Aluminums A posting from rec.pyrotechnics in 2001 that describes the various old aluminums and gives details on aluminum in general. This was authored by Mike Swisher.
Basic Pyrotechnic Devices A short list from the rec.pyrotechnics FAQ
Benzolift A way to make super-hot BP
Black Match The most common fuse for pyrotechnics - how to make it
Black Powder A discussion of the precursors and some techniques
Precipitation (CIA) Method The CIA method is not my preferred method but is listed here in case no ball mill is available
Black Powder Tests (U.S. Army Ballistic Research Laboratory Tests)
A Comprehensive Review of Black Powder (1985)
The influence of Physical Properties on Black Powder Combustion (1981)
Charcoal - how to make it; there is also a discussion of charcoal in the Black Powder link
Charcoal Tests Ever wonder what different charcoals would do to the efficiency of BP?
Comets
Splitting Comets
Small crossettes using Wolter tools Tough to get right!
Mandarin Shots (easier)
Split Comets (easier still)
Chemicals Common chemicals used in pyrotechnics
Clay - Comparing Hawthorne Fire Clay to Kitty Litter
Compositions This is a minimal list. There are all kinds of formulas out there so this isn't meant to be all-inclusive - just things that work for me or about which I'm currently obsessed
Daylight Shells on a Budget - 4 inch fun shells that can be launched in the daytime
Dextrin What it is and how to make it.
Dragon's Eggs - this is really just a short collection of posts by Mike Swisher (a real expert). Used by permission
Flying Buckets (Cremora Fireballs, Milk Substitute Fireballs, etc)
Girandolas
Girandolas that are bucket bottoms 10" dolas made with 5 gallon bucket bottoms and that mystery ingredient 'X' ;-}
Girandolas that aren't bucket bottoms 8"-10"-12" versions that are easy to make and look like their big brothers -- sort of
24" Girandola lightweight frames are easy An abbreviated guide
Picture essay on how to make a miniature girandola A very simple dola that has a lot going for it - simple, cheap, easy, nice effect, etc.
Things can go wrong Troubleshooting the flight of a girandola
Glusatz (one way to make a time delay fuse)
Jumping Crackers by Steven. This link is to a word document conversion. Used by permission. I've read how to do this several times but this tutor seems the easiest to understand.. Thanks, Steven!
Blue Lift - diminishing the muzzle flash on mines
Hummers, equipment, etc. These are for ideas only - no step-by-step instructions - all one big page of stuff
4" Quiet Mill - ideal for milling single chemicals in the shop
6 Cue Firing Panel - Just right for backyard displays - but it requires a little work to make.
End Plugs - making end plugs
Mortars - small aerial shells
Making a small round paper shell
Pasting a medium sized ball shell with a tape shooter (movie)
Film Cans (just like Easter Eggs!)
Quick Festival Ball Shells (aka Mouse Turd Stars - see bottom of the linked page)
Two inch plastic canister shells
2 Break and Report 2" 'Italian' Shell Classic canister shell construction in miniature
Lampare - kerosene shells
Pasteless Shells - make and fire a 4" (or smaller or larger) shell on the same day
Rice Hulls - the universal burst mix. You will need this if you make many shells.
Rockets (click this link to get general information on how to build them)
Canister Headings for 3/4" motors:
Five Times Report Header for 3/4" rocket motor
Color canister shell for 3/4" rocket motor
Aerolight shell for 3/4" rocket motor (in work)
Shave and a Haircut (brief notes only)
Different examples of rockets with videos and pictures
Extra information like reinforcing sleeves, toughening paper tubes, and making rocket sticks
Frequently asked questions about rockets (in work) (several common questions)
Why is a 3/4" ID motor called a "one pound" motor? (explanation by Mike Swisher - by permission)
Passfire Quote about Making Whistle Rockets by permission from Steve La Duke
Preliminary Perchlorate Tests (aka: I need to get a life)
Strobes (a file contributed by Steve La Duke and posted with his permission)
Spindle Modification to Ease Motor Release
Hydraulic Power Pack Rocket Press
Calculating Pressures Exerted by a Hydraulic/Arbor Press
Putting a pressure gauge on a hydraulic jack (tap-a-jack)
Making a Pressure to Force Gauge for $36 - by cheating
See also: Rocket Motor Test Stand (also linked above)Whistle Tools and Techniques - a couple of alternatives are explained. For how to make whistle mixes, see "Whistle Tests" (below)
Whistle Rocket Core Design A shortened version of a document contributed by Eric Hunkins. This document is about experimental core design. Don't go here unless you have a bit of experience. There is a basic core design diagram in the whistles.html page that is used by most. The full text of his document is here.
Whistle Tests A study of how catalysts affect whistle mixes - an explanation of how to make whistle is here
Tables Information we often need
Black powder grain sizes
Safe display radius
Lift charge calculation
Mortar lengths
Rocket engine sizes
Shell burst heights
Spolettes
Shell altitude calculation
Sieve designations
Bursting cardboard rocket tubes