Re-Learning an Old Skill

[WSM]

This past Fourth, I ate a healthy dose of humble pie.

 

I live on the West coast of the US in a State where fireworks are strictly limited. To enjoy a good old fashioned Fourth, my Wife and I drove to Missouri to visit the Grandkids and share the holiday with them. I set up a small workshop and got to work making small caliber rockets, spinners and other fun things. We had fun but when I made some rockets to take to a BBQ and share with others, I made three rookie mistakes that made me feel small.

 

I dialed in a tool set using a basic BP type formula; it worked great. Then I altered the design and these rockets weren't near as high flying as the first tests. The first goof was adding 10% 80 mesh charcoal to improve the tail. It did but reduced the speed and altitude of the rocket. The second mistake was adding a red color comp delay which looked good, but burned slowly. The problem there was that I forgot to make the color increment much shorter than a typical BP increment, so the delay was too long (oops!).

 

So, the end results were rockets that went up, arced over and became a colored ground seeking missile (with a respectable crackle header, no less). The viewers said, "Those are nice looking rockets, but let's not shoot any more of those". Fortunately, the weather was moist and everything was green, so there was low fire danger.

 

I was embarrassed and humbled by the experience, but I did re-learn a valuable lesson or two.

1. If it works, leave it alone
2. If you change anything to a successful item, re-test and compare the results
3. If you are showing the results of your work before an audience, make darned sure it'll deliver the promised effect

They say that experience is the best teacher (the cheapest too, if it's second hand ). I hope that by sharing this experience, you all will avoid the mistakes I made this past Fourth.

 

Humbly, WSM

Edited July 7, 2017 by WSM

[lloyd]

Welcome to the "I wish I hadn't done that" Club, WSM!

 

Lloyd

[OldMarine]

I burned up a bud's back field because I didn't test my rockets on the ACME before flying them. I don't change squat without testing thoroughly now. As you said: very humbling.

[dagabu]

Welcome to the "I wish I hadn't done that" Club, WSM!

 

Lloyd

Can I get membership too?

[lloyd]

Dave,

Everyone who hasn't applied for membership, will!

 

Lloyd

[bobd]

Lloyd is right--it is a *large* club with an ever-expanding membership!

B

[Baldor]

I'm a long way to apply for membership. I have a lot to learn before I start forgetting. :-(

[lloyd]

Baldor, this isn't "I Forgot Club", this is the "I Wish I Hadn't Done That Club"!!

 

If you aren't a member already, you're both quite exceptional, and destined to be a member VERY soon -- most-especially if you're just learning the art!!!

 

LLoyd

[WSM]

Baldor, this isn't "I Forgot Club", this is the "I Wish I Hadn't Done That Club"!!

If you aren't a member already, you're both quite exceptional, and destined to be a member VERY soon -- most-especially if you're just learning the art!!!

LLoyd

 

Boy, Howdy !

 

WSM

[OldMarine]

Hehe! I'm sure I'm working on a merit badge every time I have a new idea. Those never go well.

[Baldor]

Baldor, this isn't "I Forgot Club", this is the "I Wish I Hadn't Done That Club"!!

 

If you aren't a member already, you're both quite exceptional, and destined to be a member VERY soon -- most-especially if you're just learning the art!!!

 

LLoyd

I'm already a member of this club, of course, nothing serious, and not only with pyro. I already changed all my starting recipients, ball mill jar, ball mill media, etc.. after reading a little. I selected materials before knowing enough, and most were wrong.. I'm still thinking about what to do with 1Kg of KClO3 I purchased before knowing the difference between clorate and perclorate. No injury for now despite my initial ignorance, but not because I have not tried. A lot of "I wish I had read a little (a lot) more before starting this hobby"

 

There is a saying among motards, at least in Spain. "There are two kinds of motards. Those who have fallen, and those who still have to fall"

Edited July 9, 2017 by Baldor

[WSM]

I'm already a member of this club, of course, nothing serious, and not only with pyro. I already changed all my starting recipients, ball mill jar, ball mill media, etc.. after reading a little. I selected materials before knowing enough, and most were wrong.. I'm still thinking about what to do with 1Kg of KClO3 I purchased before knowing the difference between clorate and perclorate. No injury for now despite my initial ignorance, but not because I have not tried. A lot of "I wish I had read a little (a lot) more before starting this hobby"

There is a saying among motards, at least in Spain. "There are two kinds of motards. Those who have fallen, and those who still have to fall"

 

Don't throw it out, just set it aside till you know enough to use it safely. Truly, it's wonderful stuff, if used properly.

 

WSM

 

Edit: If you acquire smoke dyes, you might want to work on daytime effects .

Edited July 21, 2017 by WSM

[dynomike1]

Do yall have exclusive members yet? Thats where i need to be.

[bobd]

Do yall have exclusive members yet? Thats where i need to be.

Nah, but some of us old fahts are executive members!

B

[WSM]

Do yall have exclusive members yet? Thats where i need to be.

 

No, we accept all who qualify.

 

I hope none of us get hurt, though (or worse, hurt someone else).

 

WSM

[6bang]

I wish some day to be half as knowledgeable and half as humble. Hope it did not ruin your day.

[lovage666]

Dave,

Everyone who hasn't applied for membership, will!

 

Lloyd

Long time member of that club right here.

[WSM]

I wish some day to be half as knowledgeable and half as humble. Hope it did not ruin your day.

 

No, but it was seriously disappointing. I hope I never forget the lessons learned.

 

WSM