MisterSteve Posted June 25, 2007 Posted June 25, 2007 I just made my first batch of blackmatch and there's a little bit of a problem. I think I know what I did wrong but I thought I would just ask you guys first. I just used cotton string and coated it with Meal Powder and some dextrin. I think I used too much dextrin which is why it isn't burning well. It usually lights at first and then it like slows down and it sort of like stops burning and then starts and stops and so on. I think that I used too much dextrin which is just slowing down the burn rate and stuff. I just need it to burn at a constant rate because I was planning on using it for shells that I'm taking down to the shore for the 4th of july.
crazyboy25 Posted June 25, 2007 Posted June 25, 2007 how much dextrin did you use i use about 10% maybe a little high also how long has it been dring mosture or short drying time could be the reason if your black match is dry it should be very stiff and crackle when bent.
MisterSteve Posted June 25, 2007 Author Posted June 25, 2007 Well I don't really remember I either used 10% or 20% lol I think it was more like 10 but I let it dry for a day then I sprayed it with water cause I thought maybe it would strengthen it and then I let it dry for 3 days and tried it again.
al93535 Posted June 25, 2007 Posted June 25, 2007 Make another batch. Use 5% dextrin. Make the BP slurry and work the BP into the cotton fibers with your fingers, then coat it with dry bp dust. This will make a superior black match.
crazyboy25 Posted June 25, 2007 Posted June 25, 2007 interesting i wish i knew about that maybe i will do it next time for now mine works fine.
mormanman Posted June 25, 2007 Posted June 25, 2007 I tried to make quick match and United Nuclear says that is just black match wrapped that a paper tube (I used paper tape and maybe thats the problem).I also tried to make paper tape quick match (heres the link) so that didn't work either. I was disappointed . Can some one help me out by pointing me in the right direction or something. thanks
MisterSteve Posted June 25, 2007 Author Posted June 25, 2007 Well here's how you do it it's easy. Mix some BP with about 5% dextrin like al93535 said. Then just wet it with water until it is into a sort of paste and then dip your cotton string into it and you can just rub the excess off with your fingers and then like al93535 said put some black powder on it before it dries.
Frozentech Posted June 25, 2007 Posted June 25, 2007 I tried to make quick match and United Nuclear says that is just black match wrapped that a paper tube (I used paper tape and maybe thats the problem).I also tried to make paper tape quick match (heres the link) so that didn't work either. I was disappointed . Can some one help me out by pointing me in the right direction or something. thankshttp://farm1.static.flickr.com/56/13945794...613dbd1.jpg?v=0 put 2 sticks of decent blackmatch through a paper tube and it will work. More complete tutorial on quickmatch :http://www.pyrotechs.org/content/view/14/30/
mormanman Posted June 25, 2007 Posted June 25, 2007 Ok I'll try that but what about the papertape quick match.
Frozentech Posted June 25, 2007 Posted June 25, 2007 Ok I'll try that but what about the papertape quick match. Not sure, I don't use the stuff. Fast isn't as important as reliable.
mormanman Posted June 25, 2007 Posted June 25, 2007 Ok I'll try that but what about the papertape quick match.Not sure, I don't use the stuff. Fast isn't as important as reliable. Hey what do you mean by fast like making it fast or the burn rate.
hst45 Posted June 25, 2007 Posted June 25, 2007 What are you using for a string? My experience is that using the thinnest pure cotton string (not thread) that I can find yields the best blackmatch. I found a string called carpet warp that works best for me, and the thick, multi-stranded stuff like butchers twine is worst. Do Like Al93535 said and back your dextrin down to 5%, make a slurry of milled BP mixed with 75/25 water/ethanol, and work this paste into these thin strands, and you should have good results.
crazyboy25 Posted June 26, 2007 Posted June 26, 2007 Ok I'll try that but what about the papertape quick match. i tried it it is fast but not reliable plus the adhesive in the tape smolders and burns like gasoline.
crazyboy25 Posted June 26, 2007 Posted June 26, 2007 What are you using for a string? My experience is that using the thinnest pure cotton string (not thread) that I can find yields the best blackmatch. I found a string called carpet warp that works best for me, and the thick, multi-stranded stuff like butchers twine is worst. Do Like Al93535 said and back your dextrin down to 5%, make a slurry of milled BP mixed with 75/25 water/ethanol, and work this paste into these thin strands, and you should have good results. i used twine and mine came out ok not too pleased with it it remains very hot afterward. what problems are you refering to with twine or non cotton string? (slow burn, poor ignition smoldering?)
mormanman Posted June 26, 2007 Posted June 26, 2007 What are you using for a string? My experience is that using the thinnest pure cotton string (not thread) that I can find yields the best blackmatch. I found a string called carpet warp that works best for me, and the thick, multi-stranded stuff like butchers twine is worst. Do Like Al93535 said and back your dextrin down to 5%, make a slurry of milled BP mixed with 75/25 water/ethanol, and work this paste into these thin strands, and you should have good results. Cotton from big lots.
Frozentech Posted June 26, 2007 Posted June 26, 2007 Ok I'll try that but what about the papertape quick match.Not sure, I don't use the stuff. Fast isn't as important as reliable. Hey what do you mean by fast like making it fast or the burn rate. I meant fast to make. Quickmatch is by definition *fast* burning. It goes off with a bang.
mormanman Posted June 26, 2007 Posted June 26, 2007 Alright well I'll try to make it the right way now thanks. (Thank goodness I was starting to think that I was sucking at this whole pyrotechnics thing).
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