TheEskimo Posted August 10, 2009 Posted August 10, 2009 Hmmm...sounds like either your KNO3 or your barrel is damp. Put the KNO3 in the oven for like 15 minutes to dry it out. People add Cab-O-Sil to KCLO4, dunno why this shouldn't work for KNO3.
flying fish Posted August 10, 2009 Posted August 10, 2009 (edited) As for the noisyness, It is a squeaking problem, or a vibration problem? Or something else? Edited August 10, 2009 by flying fish
50AE Posted August 10, 2009 Posted August 10, 2009 No, it's just the balls falling in the drum. I should get a solid PVC one.I will bake my KNO3
NightHawkInLight Posted August 11, 2009 Posted August 11, 2009 No, it's just the balls falling in the drum. I should get a solid PVC one.I will bake my KNO3 Rubber would be quite a bit better for noise if you can find something suitable. Or just buy a replacement barrel for commercially produced mills. My dual 3lbers are very quiet.
50AE Posted August 11, 2009 Posted August 11, 2009 A temporary solution was a big cardboard noise and the motor doesn't heat up, I ran it for 4 hours.However, my belt got cut off. It was not really a belt, but a rubber segment for PVC pipes. I have to get a real one soon.
Swede Posted August 13, 2009 Posted August 13, 2009 Is it just me, or does anyone else find the Passfire forums to be a little... elitist, perhaps? Some guy was asking about the (per)chlorate process, which is something I really enjoy. I spent probably 20 minutes with two large posts, explaining things that took me weeks to learn, and not only did the original questioner NOT bother to say thanks, two other guys pipe up and in an offhanded way said I was making it too complicated... and that was after I said With all that said, few guys are into it that much, and if your goal is mountains of oxidizers, the best vessel would be a 5 gallon HDPE bucket, lid, and fittings capable of carrying off the waste gasses. Cheap, easy to use, and a life long enough to make it viable. Screw that. I've also got the feeling it's a bit of a good ol' boys network. Oh well, there's plenty of good info there, but I like it better here.
TheEskimo Posted August 13, 2009 Posted August 13, 2009 I was going to sign up for Passfire but......I could use that 50 bucks to buy some fun chems, and learn all I need off of here.
NightHawkInLight Posted August 13, 2009 Posted August 13, 2009 Is it just me, or does anyone else find the Passfire forums to be a little... elitist, perhaps? Some guy was asking about the (per)chlorate process, which is something I really enjoy. I spent probably 20 minutes with two large posts, explaining things that took me weeks to learn, and not only did the original questioner NOT bother to say thanks, two other guys pipe up and in an offhanded way said I was making it too complicated... and that was after I said Screw that. I've also got the feeling it's a bit of a good ol' boys network. Oh well, there's plenty of good info there, but I like it better here.Yeah, I agree based on my experience with a trial membership. Some great information, but the forum members seemed to be grumpy at times. It does seem like everyone knows everyone else there in a way that they know who knows what, and who's just another new guy. When someone who nobody recognizes shows up with tons of information people might see it as 'who are you to act like like an expert, we've never even seen you before!' You'll just have to put them in their place with a few shells of beautiful stars made from your very own product! 1
Mumbles Posted August 14, 2009 Posted August 14, 2009 They're not too bad if you can get over the constant pissing contests. It is kind of a good-ole boys club. They all know each other from years and years in the PGI and rec.pyro and all that. There are a lot of real big names on there. I found your posts very informative, and helpful if it is any consolation. They treated me the same way when I first got there. It helps being established in a local pyro club. They'll accept that you're smarter than most of them are soon enough. 1
Swede Posted August 14, 2009 Posted August 14, 2009 The thing is, I try (sometimes unsuccessfully) to keep my trap shut when I know my knowledge is lacking, but there are a couple areas where I think I might know something, and so I try to help. In terms of amateur pyrotechnics, I am nowhere near those guys... and I know it. So I take what information I can glean (lots) and try to give back in those few areas where I feel comfortable. Oh well, it's no big deal. There are some talented folk there, no doubt. I think the irritating thing was the lack of two letters... TY. It also irked me that my suggestion of dropping $25 on eBay for a 100 amp 5 volt supply makes it more complicated than using a $40 car battery charger, which you'd be lucky to get 10 amps out of.
Richtee Posted August 15, 2009 Posted August 15, 2009 . It also irked me that my suggestion of dropping $25 on eBay for a 100 amp 5 volt supply makes it more complicated than using a $40 car battery charger, which you'd be lucky to get 10 amps out of. OK I know nothing about this stuff...but I DO know that statement is dead nuts on. I'll go toe to toe with anyone that thinks otherwise. Not EVEN considering the crappy filtering on those $40 units. Seems to me filtering MUST affect the process. Maybe not, but...
flying fish Posted August 16, 2009 Posted August 16, 2009 Ok..Ok... F*ck MS Office 2007. This is rediculous. Microsoft had their head up their ass when they designed this. They claimed that the new layout is supposed to be "more visual." I know very well that I'm a visual thinker and I can't come close to figuring out the logic behind this new layout. Good luck figuring out which "tab" the option you want is in, it's annoying as hell. For one, the old drop-down menus were nice because they were linear...you could look down the list and figure out which option you wanted quite easily. Now you have to look all over the god damned page to find your option. Secondly, I've spent my whole life working with the old MS office versions. Why should I even waist my time learning a completely different layout? Argg.... 1
TheEskimo Posted August 16, 2009 Posted August 16, 2009 I hate my school. The school hasn't renewed the teachers' contract since 2004. We have gone on strike every year since then. Last year, we went on strike for a whole month...moved end of year from June 8 to the 30th. The school board, and the teacher's union send different contracts to eachother...but they won't approve any of them. And the sad part is....the teachers learn we're going on strike the same time the students do. The union never tells the teachers anything. One of the big sticklers is that the union doesn't want teachers to pay for health insurance. What BS. Now they're offering to pay like 2% of health insurance. Greedy Pigs.
dagabu Posted August 17, 2009 Posted August 17, 2009 Is it just me, or does anyone else find the Passfire forums to be a little... elitist, perhaps? Some guy was asking about the (per)chlorate process, which is something I really enjoy. I spent probably 20 minutes with two large posts, explaining things that took me weeks to learn, and not only did the original questioner NOT bother to say thanks, two other guys pipe up and in an offhanded way said I was making it too complicated... and that was after I said Screw that. I've also got the feeling it's a bit of a good ol' boys network. Oh well, there's plenty of good info there, but I like it better here. Swede, met some Passfire guys at PGI, one was a builder and and Allstar, he came off as arrogant until I found him the next day alone and hit him with the question very bluntly, "Why are some of the Passfire guys such asses to the new guys?" His response was that 75% off all the newbies (me, not you Swede) ask how to make boomers and recycle internet stuff that is wrong or dangerous. Afetr a 15 minute rant on his part he calmed down and said that agreed that it is an elitest group and they like it that way. I must say that the rocket guys at PGI were FANTASTIC and Dan (safety) was an incredible help and hes and Allstar! Sorry Swede, I follow you and so do most of us here at PU. By the way, were you at the BBQ?
Swede Posted August 18, 2009 Posted August 18, 2009 Swede, met some Passfire guys at PGI, one was a builder and and Allstar, he came off as arrogant until I found him the next day alone and hit him with the question very bluntly, "Why are some of the Passfire guys such asses to the new guys?" His response was that 75% off all the newbies (me, not you Swede) ask how to make boomers and recycle internet stuff that is wrong or dangerous. Afetr a 15 minute rant on his part he calmed down and said that agreed that it is an elitest group and they like it that way. I must say that the rocket guys at PGI were FANTASTIC and Dan (safety) was an incredible help and hes and Allstar! Sorry Swede, I follow you and so do most of us here at PU. By the way, were you at the BBQ? No, unfortunately I have never made it to a PGI convention or meet. My job sucks, is inflexible, and there is always something going on that prevents my attendance. I KNOW there is some serious talent on Passfire, but the bold portion quoted above is, I think, incredibly toxic and very bad for the hobby. I understand the problem with kewls. They come here too and it is never-ending, but the solution isn't to be elitist and drive noobs off, the answer is to guide them in the correct direction. The more people involved in a safe, constructive manner, the merrier. Unless the noob is 14 years old and into match heads, I can almost guarantee that he has some other skill set that can be very useful. For example, some of the pros were wondering about three phase power, something I do know about. I read the answers, 85% incorrect and misleading, and yet a total pyrotechnic noob with an electrician's background would be an expert on the topic, ready to help... if he felt welcomed. My posts were just a simple vent. I know most of the guys are friendly and helpful. I just think we need to really pull together, or this hobby will die, and it is important to be friendly and helpful to new guys.
Ralph Posted August 18, 2009 Posted August 18, 2009 on the subject of passfire is it worth getting membership ?
Swede Posted August 18, 2009 Posted August 18, 2009 on the subject of passfire is it worth getting membership ? I think so. The articles are excellent, the formula database is superb, and it is worth the money in the end.
TheSidewinder Posted August 18, 2009 Posted August 18, 2009 I'll add my two cents worth: Yes, the Passfire subscription is worth it, even with the elitist attitudes and pissing contests that occasionally(?) happen. As Swede said, the articles and database of formulas alone are worth the price of admission.
Dr Boom Posted August 21, 2009 Posted August 21, 2009 Swede, SW- I've not been on Passfire for a year yet and I must say the APCforum folks show more professionalism and courtesy when they post. Yes, the database is good and the articles are awesome, but where is the candor that we pride ourselves on here?? I've seen so many posts in PF go way off topic and no one says boo about it. "Well we were discussing the effects of H2O on bismuth dah- dee- dah but I'm getting bored with that so I'll start making personal attacks on whatever member X posts... Oops he misspelled carbonate, let's derail the thread." Yes, there is A LOT of talent on that website and I'm sitting here shaking my head at the childish BS that I see there! And I HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS?!? This post for me is completely out of character as I try to be patient and understanding with any one wishing to better themselves in the pyrotechnic field. But I would rather have intelligent conversations right here in APC than listen to the school kid-name calling that goes on over there. I will be emailing the Admin at PF and the individuals that continually disrupt PF and seek some resolve, I'll give it a couple months- by then my subscription should be due for renewal and I'll see if I'll be sticking around there or not. Man that vent felt good...
optimus Posted August 21, 2009 Posted August 21, 2009 My PF subscription just ran out and I'm still pondering whether to renew... Leaning more and more towards not, at least until there are a load of new articles to browse... Alot of bad attitudes on there - here is a much nicer place to hang : ) Getting off topic, but would it be feasable to recreate a passfire-esque formula calculator with relative ease to use here?
TrueBluePyro Posted August 21, 2009 Posted August 21, 2009 ralph, it is worth getting one. There contests over there like all the time, they even have stuff to tick people in there sig's, it goes a little over the top, but anyway. Such is life.
Mumbles Posted August 25, 2009 Posted August 25, 2009 Kyle is intentionally staying out of it. I just ignore it, skip to the good stuff, and feel better about myself that I am more mature (at times) than grown men at least twice my age. I understand kyle's approach to running his forum, but I prefer another. I try to take a more active role, being more of a participant than an administrator. Although I probably act like just as big of an asshole as some over on passsfire at times, I try to be nice most of the time. Some people just don't get the point otherwise unfortunately. I'm glad to hear you guys like it here. We try our best. I think it shows given the quality of members we've been getting lately. I definitely try to make a more inviting environment for people getting started, which I think we mostly succeed at. The price tag, and rather intimidating forum make passfire a bit more suited toward slightly more advanced builders. Please, if anyone has any suggestions don't be afraid to contact myself of TheSidewinder. I'm sure it'd be possible to make a calculator, but I honestly don't know php at all, which is probably what would be required to make it. I just use Excel to calculate all the weird masses.
Swede Posted August 26, 2009 Posted August 26, 2009 On the Passfire database... legally, the data within the database does not necessarily belong to Passfire. It originates with people like Shimizu, Veline, Lancaster, etc, formulas that have been published in a number of books and in periodicals over the years. Simply because they have it in a searchable database does not somehow make it their intellectual property. Hopefully one day APC will have a similar formula database. In the meantime, there's no reason we cannot contribute formulas to a list of our own. I've seen thread or two here and there where certain persons were going ape-s**t because a "passfire formula" like a shimizu chrysanthemum was copied verbatim from passfire and posted here or on another site. Pot, kettle, etc.
Ralph Posted October 6, 2009 Posted October 6, 2009 wouldn't the only ones that couldn't be coppied are ones like emarald green even that if it hasn't been copyrighted is up for grabs isnt it ?
Mumbles Posted October 6, 2009 Posted October 6, 2009 Formulas, just like recipes, cannot be copyrighted. They can however be limited in their access and given out in confidence as a way to keep them a secret. I am willing to share just about every formula I use. As I just mentioned, there are a few that have been given to me in confidence which I cannot share, but I am easily able to point in the direction of perfectly suitable alternatives. The only thing that kind of irks me is when credit is not given with the formula. I think this is disrespectful to the originator, and takes away some of the traceability in case of transcription error. 1
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