Dr Boom Posted August 7, 2009 Posted August 7, 2009 (edited) I have been meaning to post this tutorial for some time now but as I worked on the design I saw others using manipulations that made more sense or were quicker to build. However, i'm sure that someone out there may see this and expound further and improve future experiments. First off- you will need:1. Safety Glasses2. sturdy cutters3. wire pliers4. lengths of string, I used cotton twine5. Match books6. super glue, or hot melt glue7. spoolette or similar tube, 2"x 3/8" http://www.pyrobin.com/files/pull_ignition%20004.jpgCotton string and pre cut bottle of match heads. http://www.pyrobin.com/files/pull_ignition%20006.jpgSuper glue and small cut paper tabs. http://www.pyrobin.com/files/pull_ignition%20007.jpgStriker faces; cut from match books. http://www.pyrobin.com/files/pull_ignition%20010.jpgIgniter tube dimensions. http://www.pyrobin.com/files/pull_ignition%20013.jpgDisassemble a match book without tearing the materials. http://www.pyrobin.com/files/pull_ignition%20014.jpgSection of striker face to cut from match book cover. http://www.pyrobin.com/files/pull_ignition%20015.jpgSmall paper tabs, also cut from match book cover. http://www.pyrobin.com/files/pull_ignition%20017.jpgSeparate match head tips from the paper stems without crushing the mixture. http://www.pyrobin.com/files/pull_ignition%20018.jpgMake a crease in the cut striker face in a "V" shape, cut a length of string and make a loop by bringing the two ends together as shown. http://www.pyrobin.com/files/pull_ignition%20019.jpgPlace the string on the inside of the "V" and add a drop of glue- pinch the "V" closed. http://www.pyrobin.com/files/pull_ignition%20020.jpgRun the string along the backside of the striker and draw the string taunt- dab glue on the backside to keep the string in place. http://www.pyrobin.com/files/pull_ignition%20021.jpgFront and backside of striker shown. http://www.pyrobin.com/files/pull_ignition%20022.jpgUsing a tool, I use a steel 12" BBQ skewer, form the striker into a "U" shape. http://www.pyrobin.com/files/pull_ignition%20023.jpgPieces for assembling the igniter. http://www.pyrobin.com/files/pull_ignition%20024.jpgBend a small paper tab into a "V" shape- this will act as a plug for both ends of the tube. http://www.pyrobin.com/files/pull_ignition%20025.jpgPaper tab inserted in one end and dabbed with glue. http://www.pyrobin.com/files/pull_ignition%20027.jpgPush in the striker and place it to one side on the inside of the tube like shown. http://www.pyrobin.com/files/pull_ignition%20028.jpgUse your tool as a depth gauge to visualize the space inside the tube that the match tips will occupy. http://www.pyrobin.com/files/pull_ignition%20030.jpgDrop in a couple match tips and lightly tamp them into place. Use you tool to gauge the depth as you go. Do not over load the tube! When the tips are right even with the end of the striker- stop! http://www.pyrobin.com/files/pull_ignition%20031.jpgPosition your second tab as before to now close the igniter. Note in the picture the orientation of the tab to the string. This allows the striker to withdraw from the tube while holding the match tips stationary. If you place this tab incorrectly, the match tips will pull out with the striker and the igniter will fail to light. http://www.pyrobin.com/files/pull_ignition%20033.jpgSecure the tab on the string side with a small amount of glue- not so much! You do not want to glue the string! When the igniter is completed it should not make any sound when shook. If you hear the match tips "rattle" inside, that is NOT GOOD. You want them tight so that normal handling will not cause them to move and create friction before you pull the string. http://www.pyrobin.com/files/pull_ignition%20035.jpgDepending on the application for your pull igniter- you can insert a length of fuse in the end opposite the string. A dab of glue will secure the fuse in place. http://www.pyrobin.com/files/pull_ignition%20037.jpgThe use of these igniters are limited only by the imagination of the pyrotechnist that employs them. I have made nearly a hundred now and have not had a completed igniter fail. I got a bit camera-happy and took too many pictures but the complexity of this igniter is a trade off for its reliability and versatility. Hope you all can have as much fun with this project as I have! PS- Here is a small video edit from some tests I did with the igniter under my vent hood in the lab.http://www.pyrobin.com/files/ign_test_edit.wmv Edited August 7, 2009 by Dr Boom
andyboy Posted August 7, 2009 Posted August 7, 2009 Now that's just sweet, making me some of them later on in the evening (hopefully).
Ventsi Posted August 8, 2009 Posted August 8, 2009 A really, really sweet idea! Its a damn shame I just ran out of these tubes before the 4th.
firetech Posted August 8, 2009 Posted August 8, 2009 I gotta try this one. Looks pretty cool too. Man, aren't those red tubes just so useful...
TrueBluePyro Posted August 10, 2009 Posted August 10, 2009 Hu, nice Tutorial mate and great photos as well, lol.
shagaKahn Posted March 23, 2012 Posted March 23, 2012 Seem to be responding to ancient threads lately but I hope Dr Boom's still monitoring this one. Just gotta say straight up: folks who make the effort to post such detailed and delicious tutorials like this deserve the Nobel prize. My only suggestion comes from the experience of the pull-string ignitors I've made in that kit from Firefox: the spoolette's a smidge short. Unlike you Doc, my success rate is not 100% but I did burn myself every time I tried to use one till I finally got a clue and put a leather glove on the hand that's holding the spoolette. Thanx a meg for being so generous to the community,s
Algenco Posted March 23, 2012 Posted March 23, 2012 the good Dr hasn't been on in over a month excellent tut !
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