ddewees Posted August 20, 2015 Posted August 20, 2015 Does anyone know if these mixes can be pressed into casing using a hydraulic press, and function the same way? Or does it need to be loose, and free flowing... Also, I've heard almost any aluminum works... And I was given a large bag that's unmarked. It looks like dark aluminum, but I can't tell from just looking at it.
schroedinger Posted August 20, 2015 Posted August 20, 2015 What do you wan't to make with it? A flare if you press it works but is not really impressive or do you wan't to use a blast cap?
ddewees Posted August 21, 2015 Author Posted August 21, 2015 What do you wan't to make with it? A flare if you press it works but is not really impressive or do you wan't to use a blast cap?I'm hoping to make some of those "galaxy salutes" like seen near the end of this video. [Video] I've been talking with the guy who makes them, but he's been somewhat vague with information. He assured me my method would work, but I suspect he's doing something different. There's an unmistakable quality to those things, that you instantly recognize... I've been standing near people, while salutes are going off all night, then one of those show up, and I've seen people make yelping sounds... Total loss of body control. Then if you're lucky enough to quickly look in the right direction, you may see that mysterious ring.
schroedinger Posted August 21, 2015 Posted August 21, 2015 The salutes in the video are so called donut salutes. Dr. X is known for making these.. They are made with normal flash. They start working good at sizes 4" and bigger. To make them you need a mailing tube. Fit it with 2 end discs ( internal one external). After that you heavly spray the inside of the tube with spray adhesive. Now drop in sponge Ti (a lot) close with a plug and shake the tube. After 30 seconds re open the tube and dump out the lose Ti. Set the tube a side for the glue to dry. 1 or 2 hours later it should be dry, again dump all ti that came lose and fill with 7/3 or 8/3/1 flash maybe tpa works too.
pyrokid Posted August 21, 2015 Posted August 21, 2015 There was a video on youtube a few years ago where the guy was showing the inside coating of his salute casing. It was exactly as schroedinger says. It seems like pressing would disturb the Ti coating on the inner wall.
ddewees Posted August 21, 2015 Author Posted August 21, 2015 I know what you mean... I wasn't planning to press them into a solid mass... more like filling it up to the top, while tamping it down, then pressing it so there is one ID of space left over on top, to add a plug. I'm basically hoping to make these like Giant Excalibur Shells, with clay end plugs on both ends, and paper discs. I'll let you know next weekend how they turn out... I've got 5 ready to be loaded. They will be shot out of a 5 inch mortar, and are 20-24 inches in length. If they work fine, I'll make some that are 36 inches long. Here are some small tests I did with lining a core with Titanium... i remember it not working very well. Hopefully it looks better in the longer tubes. http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o588/SaltLakeAreaPyros/20130831_130850_zpsbnq5evzx.jpg
schroedinger Posted August 21, 2015 Posted August 21, 2015 From the picture it looks like your core is only 2 to 25" i.d. that is too small.You don't need that much wall around the core, the spiral tube is enought.The Ti coating looks good.Why do you wanna use pressed clay plugs instead of paper and hot glue? @pyrokid the video you are talking about showed Dr.X and was published together with an blog entry at skylighter. Both or deleted now @ddewees do you wan't to use an AN/AL flash in these?
mabuse00 Posted August 24, 2015 Posted August 24, 2015 (edited) My experience with said composition is that it does not compress very well anyway. Loose powder is the way to go. Something like 0,8-1g/cm³ is realistic. I don't see the point in using AN or something similar to produce "extra strong" salutes. I don't have the numbers in front of me, but the energy per weight of composition is actually inferiour to flash. The sound will be sharper, but imho the high frequent parts of the spectrum are damped down much more - compare this with your daily experience, from the distance everything sounds dull. The effect you describe comes from the sheer mass of the salute. The only argument for them - imho - is the relative safety during manufacture and transportation. Imagine you're creating a Kg sized salute, with flash it only needs a spark to kill you, not to mention other bystanders (who should'nt be around, but...).If you have good acces to AN and you're able to cope with the challenge of proper initiation (detachable!), I'd say go for it. Concerning the Ti, I remember seeing something like that on YT, and the rocket's header had the shape of a thick disk, rather than a long tube. At least it had more diameter than height. Edited August 24, 2015 by mabuse00
taiwanluthiers Posted August 24, 2015 Posted August 24, 2015 I'm not sure high explosives have any place in fireworks. Basically it will shatter anything in its path and will not give good shape. Meaning if you got stars or whatever using AN/AL will just shatter it to tiny pieces and will probably not look as good.
ddewees Posted August 24, 2015 Author Posted August 24, 2015 Thanks for all the feedback guys. I've gotten the information I was looking for. The originator of these devices was kind enough to spend two hours on the phone with me yesterday. Regarding the "galaxy effect", it's basically how the cylinder is oriented when it goes off. If you're lucky enough to be facing it with either end pointing at you, you'll see the titanium donut shape. Otherwise, it just looks like a cigar. The interest was due to the cost savings and the safety factor compared with flash. Thanks all. I'll post pics/video after next weekend if I can. I have 5 devices planned.
Recommended Posts