Random Thread #1

[asilentbob]

rev.redneck, thats pretty interesting about the glowing wood, ill have to try to remember to look into that... I'd love to have a glowing Erlenmeyer of organic goop that I could just feed starchy material too every once and a while... and have it digest it (with help from enzymes) and (happily?) glow. I think it would make a nice chemists pet.

 

Hah steak and MgAl... I like the way you think.

 

Well. Got my laptop triple booting XP/Vista/BT3 successfully now. Did I already say that? Man I can't remember. Ultimate linux's installer kept hanging at one point so I gave up on that... and after taking another look at Quantian I decided to wait and look around for a better Science based linux distro... BUT yeah now I know I can install more linux distros and get them happy with the rest. I'm using vista's bootloader... which reads and adds stuff to its list from XP's boot.ini... so all i have to do for future linux distros is add a copy of lilo.mbr to a folder in "C:\" (in XP)... then add a line like c:\foldername\lilo.mbr="linux distro name you want to display here" in XP... so yeah. Its a weird way to do it... but I'm fine with it... and it works. Oh and the graphics in BT3 with compiz are excellent. I love the "burn up" effect. Haven't been able to get the cube to work for some reason :/

 

I'm slowly moving stuff back over to this laptop from the external drive... but with school and stuff I haven't been able to spend as much time as I would like on this and several other forums. I kinda promised someone that I'd start posting on E&W more as they seem like they are getting overrun with kEwLs more than usual right now. It pains me. There are so many threads I'd like to read all the way through and post in both there and here... though I know I only have time for 1 long reply... so I find myself in the random thread again.

 

On a side note... We just had a really weird storm front here in Cedar Park, TX. It was remarkably linear... Like seeing it on the local weather radar made me skeptical that somebody might have just drawn in with a stylus on the screen. http://www.wunderground.com/radar/mixedcom...x&type=loop You can sorta see how that section is linear there... but at the time it was much more linear. Strange stuff... had a bit of lightning and pea sized hail for a few minutes. I can still hear some traffic about it on nearby linked ham repeaters.

 

Did I mention that I want to build a mineral oil submerged overclocked PC? Well I do. Damn you money.

 

Added the BOINC client on a few computers around my house and I'm now donating a bit of time/money/processing power towards SETI and a microfluidics study thing. Massively parallel computing FTW? My torrent seeding computer wasn't really using much else besides the bandwidth... so now the processor will get a bit of use too... though it is really old... But its always on... so meh. Either way its for a good cause... now doubly so. And the other computers around the house are usually on 24/7 too... so now they get a bit of use too. I don't have the CPU utilization all the way up... and set to cut out when someone starts using it... so yeah. Good stuff. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. In a scientist way.

 

I'm going to fill out the forms for re-newing PGI and PAT membership tonight/morning. Then mail them in tomorrow perhaps. Some of you might need a reminder to do this. So here it is. Get it done.

[Swede]

The problem with using what we call "swarf" (cut metal) from machine tools is the fact that the metal often comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, and that is assuming that you are lucky enough to get a sample of a single alloy, and not a mixture. I guess it all depends upon the shop. If all they do is machine titanium for aircraft, then yes, you'll possibly get some good stuff.

 

Here's what I'd do with the "magnesium". Take a small amount, very small, and try to clean it. Having little experience with Mg myself, I can't really suggest what to use, but if the sample size is small enough, you should be safe. THEN, give it a try. There's a chance it may be too thick to be useful in its current form. There is a perception that the swarf from machine tools is really fine, and that is not always the case. Big machines have the hosepower to remove large pieces/slivers/ribbons of material that may be too big for pyro use, and it is hard to make them smaller.

 

If confirmed as Mg, I like the idea of going Magnalium with it. That avoids a lot of the problems. I came into quite a bit of Mg from a generous member here (Thanks again! ) and I want to try the charcoal chimney method.

Edited February 11, 2009 by Swede

[superman1451]

So I tried as Swede said and took a small sample and washed it multiple times with warm water. It cleaned very easily and burned alot cleaner this time.

 

My dad told me today that the head mechanic offered the half-full drum of it to my dad if he could take it away. We're planning on taking buckets with lids a fill a few. I was wondering if anybody wanted some what would the legality of shpping this stuff?

 

The mechanic said that the Mg was fairly pure, so I'm guessing less than 10% crap in it

[crazyboy25]

If you sell it clean it very well maybe boil with water and wash with IPA or something. Checkl at the post office for that kind of thing they probably have a list but you will have to ship it ORM-D.

[tentacles]

superman: Mg alloys almost never have more than 5% alloying ingredients, so that's not much of a problem.. It may have some Al mixed in there as well (leftovers on machines, etc). Shipping shouldn't be e problem, it's not classified as hazardous as long as the particle size distribution is more than 50% larger than 100 mesh. The stuff in your pic looks like it's all -4+60 or so. Double bag it, label it Mg swarf or Mg turnings and away she goes.

 

Swede: I think you'll like the charcoal chimney method... If it's windy, try propping up some sheets to block some of the wind. I usually like to speed things up a bit with a propane torch but it does oxidize the aluminum a bit more.

[WarezWally]

BackTrack v4 beta is out'

 

 

Going to give it a shot, lappy could do with a new wireless card with external antenna connector though

[Swede]

I'll give it a try Tentacles, thanks. The Charcoal should create a reductive atmosphere (fingers crossed).

 

I'm pretty sure I mentioned this once before, but it bears repeating. There's a famous story of a guy turning Mg at a lathe in a big shop. He was chastised by everyone for not keeping the lathe clean, but he ignored them. Soon, the lathe bed was buried in Mg turnings below the chuck.

 

Sure enough, the pile ignited, and it just about cut the lathe bed in two. Pure Mg is some energetic s--t.

[asilentbob]

Nice Wally. I'll have to D/L that. I have a Senao NL-2511CD PLUS EXT2 PCMCIA card... its 802.11b only and I haven't really got it working well with any of my computers... I think its like 200mW. It has 2 little sockets for external antennas and came with one and a pigtail. I really want to get one of those Alfa 500mW USB adapters though.

[WarezWally]

I used to have a ghetto solution, USB 082.11g key in the middle of a Asian colander type thing used in a deep fryer.

 

Worked well, directional though.

[_Po_]

Heyyyyyyy. Happy birthday to everyone. I haven't dropped in for a while. Guess I won't again. I'm a musician now. Goodnight.

[Bonny]

Heyyyyyyy. Happy birthday to everyone. I haven't dropped in for a while. Guess I won't again. I'm a musician now. Goodnight.

 

 

That's too bad...now you could use your musical talents to compose some nice tunes to shoot pyro to.

[Richtee]

That's too bad...now you could use your musical talents to compose some nice tunes to shoot pyro to.

 

Or...Visa versa? :{)

[Ventsi]

I was wondering if anybody wanted some what would the legality of shpping this stuff?

 

The mechanic said that the Mg was fairly pure, so I'm guessing less than 10% crap in it

 

 

I'll take some if your selling/giving it away

 

probably 1/2-1 pound

[andyboy]

I'm interested in a few pounds as well.

[tentacles]

This is random, but for those who haven't seen this yet: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislatio...09/HCR0006.html

 

The State Legislature of New Hampshire has passed a resolution warning the US Congress that their powers are in fact limited and NH will consider any further attempt to use non-Constitutionally granted powers as nullifying the US Constituion, and thus the US Federal Government.

 

How can we get the rest of the states to do this?

[Richtee]

This is random, but for those who haven't seen this yet: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislatio...09/HCR0006.html

 

The State Legislature of New Hampshire has passed a resolution warning the US Congress that their powers are in fact limited and NH will consider any further attempt to use non-Constitutionally granted powers as nullifying the US Constituion, and thus the US Federal Government.

 

How can we get the rest of the states to do this?

 

Verrrry interstink! Soo...where's the teeth? NH gonna secede from the Union? Take potshots at Feds coming in to restore their Commie-leaning order? "For their own good" Right?

 

Hmmm I wonder what it's gonna take. I sure do not care for the direction it's going now. OK... stepping out before this crosses to political. And that IS NOT an invitation to take it that way, peoples!

[tentacles]

Technically, it wouldn't be secession, it would be dissolution. There's quite the difference.. With secession, you're saying, we don't like you anymore, but dissolution is saying that the union no longer exists, by it's own actions. Edited February 18, 2009 by tentacles

[superman1451]

With shipping the magnesium turnings, what service should I send it via?

[Richtee]

Technically, it wouldn't be secession, it would be dissolution. There's quite the difference.. With secession, you're saying, we don't like you anymore, but dissolution is saying that the union no longer exists, by it's own actions.

But what would the Fed say? Or more precisely, what would they consider it?

 

Where IS Jefferson when we need him.

[TheSidewinder]

I suspect the Feds would consider it sedition.

[Richtee]

I suspect the Feds would consider it sedition.

Hmmm well it's not QUITE treason, and a bit further from secession- BUT what would be the consequences is what I meant I guess. Man I'd make a shitty lawyer.

[TheSidewinder]

Well, unless the parasites running our Government have repealed or otherwise redendered null what I remember learning in Elementary School, there actually *IS* (still?) a way for a State to secede from the Union.

[Richtee]

Well, unless the parasites running our Government have repealed or otherwise redendered null what I remember learning in Elementary School, there actually *IS* (still?) a way for a State to secede from the Union.

Hmm Interesting.... I seem to recall. But what would that make the "state" at that point? Obviously "persona non grata" at least... lose representation in the House and Congress..all Fed aid for roads etc... but what would the state be? Man...the intricacies of this are mind-boggling.

[50AE]

Private message for my video in youtube "How to make black powder"

 

 

hey

so I watched your black powder video and got a little inspired!

I went to the store and purchased some modeling clay, steel wool, copper wire, a soldering iron and some solder, as well as some super glue and electrical tape.

 

I want to make something explosive! I have about a pound of potassium nitrate as well! any ideas?

or tips you can offer me?

 

From all k3wl messages that I've read and received, I suppose that this one beats everything. Just wondering how years old is this kid. Hasn't he something else to do ? Jesus...

[Richtee]

Private message for my video in youtube "How to make black powder"

 

 

hey

so I watched your black powder video and got a little inspired!

I went to the store and purchased some modeling clay, steel wool, copper wire, a soldering iron and some solder, as well as some super glue and electrical tape.

 

I want to make something explosive! I have about a pound of potassium nitrate as well! any ideas?

or tips you can offer me?

 

From all k3wl messages that I've read and received, I suppose that this one beats everything. Just wondering how years old is this kid. Hasn't he something else to do ? Jesus...

 

"Plug in the soldering iron. Put some solder in a metal cup with the iron's tip in it. Let it start to melt. Wrap the electrical tape around your genitals TIGHT. Shove the steel wool up your anal entrance...DO NOT USE LUBE. Apply the super glue to your lips and shove as much clay as you can up your nostrils. Pour the now molten solder all over your body. then... Return the copper wire.... you don't need it."

Edited February 18, 2009 by Richtee