Sensitive compositions?

[BiSkittlis]

I'm working on a project where I would require a very shock sensitive explosive (something actually senitive, not something you just say is super sensitive to scare the newbies, like perchlorate flash). I don't need it to be very powerful at all, just sensitive. Is there such a composition, that doesn't include kclo3 (I don't have it and can't get it) or something fancy like dichromate?

 

I was also thinking of using armstrong mix from matches, however with the brand of matches I have it's next to impossible to get the red phosphorus, without also scratching off a metric shit ton of paper with it. Could I combine crushed match heads with sulphur instead of phosphorus to get something similar to armstrong?

[Arthur]

Sadly the safest way of dealing with sensitive compounds is to use known ingredients of known purity. Once you try to jury rig something then the purities go down and the sensitivities go up severely.

 

Study from the literature then make a choice then but the correct ingredients, then work at a tiny scale. Remember that particle size matters, I once tried a comp that failed repeatedly despite a good recommendation from another pyro friend, then I milled the ingredients again and the comp worked perfectly. One ingredient that was coarser than 200 mesh and it failed, all components finer than 200 mesh and it worked perfectly.

[Siegmund]

It is far outside the usual realm of pyrotechnics... but nitrogen triiodide isn't a difficult synthesis and uses drugstore type ingredients. (It is also feather-touch-sensitive, not just sensitive; it's as likely as not to go off on its own overnight randomly as to still be there when you want it the next day.)

 

What sort of project is this?

[Richtee]

[BiSkittlis]

It is far outside the usual realm of pyrotechnics... but nitrogen triiodide isn't a difficult synthesis and uses drugstore type ingredients. (It is also feather-touch-sensitive, not just sensitive; it's as likely as not to go off on its own overnight randomly as to still be there when you want it the next day.)

 

What sort of project is this?

Ok no, Not that sensitive lol. As I said I want something more in the realm of armstrong mix or chlorate flash - something you need to hit fairly lightly with a hammer, but not something that goes off by itself if you look at it the wrong way.

 

I made a 3d printed flare gun that is a clone of that one typcal orange plastic flare gun you see everywhere and I need to make primers or whatever they're called. I tried using those plastic caps that we used to play around with as kids, but there just isn't enough explosive in there (also armstrong mix I think) - like 50% of the time the firing pin will just punch straight trough the cap and when it does set it off the cap doesn't even ignite the blackpowder.

Edited August 2, 2021 by BiSkittlis

[SharkWhisperer]

Ok no, Not that sensitive lol. As I said I want something more in the realm of armstrong mix or chlorate flash - something you need to hit fairly lightly with a hammer, but not something that goes off by itself if you look at it the wrong way.

 

I made a 3d printed flare gun that is a clone of that one typcal orange plastic flare gun you see everywhere and I need to make primers or whatever they're called. I tried using those plastic caps that we used to play around with as kids, but there just isn't enough explosive in there (also armstrong mix I think) - like 50% of the time the firing pin will just punch straight trough the cap and when it does set it off the cap doesn't even ignite the blackpowder.

Repurposed flare guns--weak... I have Orions for my boat and shore; they're not very durable, but possibly more durable than anything from your unproven 3D printed gadget. You don't want to be classified as a newbie that is easily scared off, but everything you've said so far screams newwwwwwbbiiiiieeee. And now you indicate that you'd like to work with something along the lines of Armstrong's mix or chlorate flash comps, which every serious fireworker has either abandoned or takes great care with, but you're going to master that immediately with what seems minimal experience. I envision loud explosions and instantly scorched and then lost skin for you. I hope I am wrong.

 

You need to make "primers or whatever they're called..."? Are you 14 years old? I'm thinking maybe 13. "primers or whatever they're called..."??? Wtf?

 

What exactly are you trying to accomplish? And yes, you are amongst the newest of Newbies, no matter how you gauge yourself.

 

It doesn't seem like you're a serious enthusiast. One who actually wants to learn the hobby and art. Maybe the blind-leading-the-blind on Reddit is more your group? They'll point you to the burn ward.

[Arthur]

If you don't have access in your town to primers then don't make them.

 

There are a couple of demonstrations of the frailty of real flare guns when misused on youtube.

[myfriendtheenemy]

Just... don't.

 

But, if you really want to, think about what might happen first. Go through everything that could go wrong and take measures to prevent it.

 

I've seen some videos online of people using roll caps, not the plastic caps. I've found that they give off more "sparks" than the ones that come as caps. You can use more than one if needed. The problem is making the body of the percussion cap. You can find formers for 50 bucks online, if you are willing to spend that much. I've tried making them by different methods, but I haven't had any success.

 

If you want to try anything, do the method above first, it's probably the safest.

Edited August 2, 2021 by myfriendtheenemy

[Arthur]

The testing to become a competent cap maker is long and tedious and dangerous. Go and buy from a lawful supplier in your area or try not to blow bits of you off..

 

Basically Don't make primers they are too hazardous.

[BiSkittlis]

You need to make "primers or whatever they're called..."? Are you 14 years old? I'm thinking maybe 13. "primers or whatever they're called..."??? Wtf?

No, I'm just not from an english speaking country and I don't know what this very specific parts of guns and ammunition are called in a language I don't even speak other than the internet, Will you chill the fuck out?

 

If you reply answer the original question or offer an alternative or just some helpful input whatsoever, but don't just go around insulting people for no reason, what excactly are you trying to achieve? See a shrink if you have anger issues and don't take it out on random people on the internet ffs

[BiSkittlis]

The testing to become a competent cap maker is long and tedious and dangerous. Go and buy from a lawful supplier in your area or try not to blow bits of you off..

 

Basically Don't make primers they are too hazardous.

Well I dont live in America, so I can't really get them as easily as you guys, but I guess I'll look into it, but I'd still like to try to make them myself

 

And don't worry I would test the gun out extensively at a distance, before I would ever hold it in my hand and even then I would wear some heavy gloves and safety glasses, I'm not an idiot and this is just more of a proof of concept kinda thing to keep me busy, not something I would actually use as a flare gun or rely on it to work compleatly reliably, but thanks

[myfriendtheenemy]

Instead of tediously crushing up matches, you could just buy some potassium chlorate and mix that with sulfur. It's a really bad idea and you shouldn't do it, but it's just a thought. I still think caps like the ones in the link below would work.

https://www.amazon.com/Back-Basics-Cowboy-Package-Manufacturing/dp/B08BMM9X5B/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=cap+gun+rolls&qid=1627949734&sr=8-1

[BiSkittlis]

Just... don't.

 

But, if you really want to, think about what might happen first. Go through everything that could go wrong and take measures to prevent it.

 

I've seen some videos online of people using roll caps, not the plastic caps. I've found that they give off more "sparks" than the ones that come as caps. You can use more than one if needed. The problem is making the body of the percussion cap. You can find formers for 50 bucks online, if you are willing to spend that much. I've tried making them by different methods, but I haven't had any success.

 

If you want to try anything, do the method above first, it's probably the safest.

Yes, of course I would take all safety percautions, this is just mkre of a proof that I can do it not something I would actually use seriously.

 

I'll look into those rolls, that was very helpful, unlike that other dickhead, thanks

[BiSkittlis]

Instead of tediously crushing up matches, you could just buy some potassium chlorate and mix that with sulfur. It's a really bad idea and you shouldn't do it, but it's just a thought. I still think caps like the ones in the link below would work.

https://www.amazon.com/Back-Basics-Cowboy-Package-Manufacturing/dp/B08BMM9X5B/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=cap+gun+rolls&qid=1627949734&sr=8-1

As I said, I really can't get the chlorate, I live in Europe and it's just impossible, but yea I'll try the rolls, tho I have no idea how I would make a primer out of that xD Edited August 3, 2021 by BiSkittlis

[myfriendtheenemy]

I've found that if you hit the roll caps bluntly they just go bang. But if you put a nail in the middle of one of them and hit the nail they burn slower and throw sparks.

 

Good luck!

Edited August 3, 2021 by myfriendtheenemy

[myfriendtheenemy]

As I said, I really can't get the chlorate, I live in Europe and it's just impossible, but yea I'll try the rolls, tho I have no idea how I would make a primer out of that xD

What you do is make a cap out of a sheet of metal with a former, punch out the circles of composition on the roll caps, and stick them in the metal "cup". You're trying to make a percussion cap, right?

 

Here's a helpful video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMs3HeAo9EI&ab_channel=mannyCA

 

If you buy a cap former online it'll make a lot nicer looking metal cups.

Edited August 3, 2021 by myfriendtheenemy

[BiSkittlis]

What you do is make a cap out of a sheet of metal with a former, punch out the circles of composition on the roll caps, and stick them in the metal "cup". You're trying to make a percussion cap, right?

 

If you buy a cap former online it'll make a lot nicer looking metal cups.

Yeah, yeah, percussion caps, that's the word! Thank you for the idea, that's really cool! I will probably try to think of another way tho, I don't really wanna buy a tool, i'll probably make like 20 of these and then never agin in my life lol.

 

Maybe If I made plastic cups instead of metal cups?

Edited August 3, 2021 by BiSkittlis

[myfriendtheenemy]

I don't think plastic is tough enough, it doesn't flex well... If you're thinking about 3d printing caps, good luck.

[BiSkittlis]

Well the caps I tried to use originaly are made of plastic and they work (except they have to little explosive) so why not? Do they even need to flex? Isn't the whole point that they just get rammed into the the thing inside the casing which compresses the explosive and sets it off? Edited August 3, 2021 by BiSkittlis

[BiSkittlis]

I'm still wondering if I could mix crushed match heads with sulfur instead of phosphorus to create something similar-ish to armstrong though. Anybody know? Daddy Mumbles you here?

[Bourbon]

Your English improved significantly in a couple of hours.

[SharkWhisperer]

I'm still wondering if I could mix crushed match heads with sulfur instead of phosphorus to create something similar-ish to armstrong though. Anybody know? Daddy Mumbles you here?

Nobody here is going to help you blow your own ass up with your silly crushed match heads guesswork. "Daddy Mumbles"? Man, you have issues besides zero working knowledge in chemistry and a propensity for repeating stupid questions.

 

Try fireworking.com. They specialize in projects like yours and would be an excellent resource for you.

[BiSkittlis]

Dude Im not going to blow my ass up by carefully making 1-2 grams of armstrong mix, can you stop being so dramatic? As I said before, say something helpful or go be cranky somwhere else Edited August 3, 2021 by BiSkittlis

[SharkWhisperer]

Dude Im not going to blow my ass up by carefully making 1-2 grams of armstrong mix, can you stop being so dramatic? As I said before, say something helpful or go be cranky somwhere else

Hopeless. Genius doesn't even know the composition of match heads. Know the difference between sesquisulfide and elemental? Are there already sulfur compounds in safety matches? Strike anywheres? Hapless.

 

This site has a low tolerance for extremely naive stupid ideas, and yours is just a repetition of stupid shit many other children have tried before. Maybe stick with sparkler bombs.

[myfriendtheenemy]

Instead of bringing down those who don't know some stuff, maybe we can teach them.

 

Matches already have sulfur in them, the main ingredient being potassium chlorate with some wax, glass powder, and other stuff. I've tried mixing regular matches with sulfur and it wasn't very sensitive.

 

I don't know if it's available in your country, but some gun stores sell prime-all for repriming percussion caps. Prime-all is a lot easier than matches or caps.