Whistle Burst vs Slow Flash

[eddiegnz1]

Whistle burst in this case is simply screened

70 Potasium Perchlorate

30 Sodium Salicylate (or substitute Sodium Benzoate or Potasium Benzoate)

 

The above does not use vaseline, nor oil nor anything (just simply screen mixed)

 

The Slow Flash is Ned's comp as follows

2 Potasium Nitrate

1 Sulfur

1 Aluminum American Dark 809

 

the slow flash is diaper mixed.

 

So my questions are:

1) have you compared both or used both in 3 to 5 inch shells as a booster to your BP burst charge

2) if so, what differences did you notice

3) how do they compare in terms of sensitivity to shock, impact, friction, other safety issues

[Gunzway]

I generally prefer whistle as it doesn't create a distracting flash when it bursts that is very noticeable in small shells and when using a star like a charcoal streamer. Although whistle mix is very sensitive, I still feel safer with dealing with it than flash powder especially when I'm applying pressure to seal two halves of a hemisphere knowing whistle can be pressed and flash cannot.

[KruseMissile]

i like granulated whistle alot. Its cheap and reliable w/o that shitty flash.

[Ralph]

whistle shouldn't be screened it is also friction sensitive it should be diapered also personally (especially for more delicate affects and colour) whistle is better because it doesn't have the retina bleaching flash

[Pyrophysics]

I also prefer whistle, since it is safer to handle than any composition containing Nitrates and metals.

[Mumbles]

There is no other way to properly integrate whistle than to screen it. Benzoates and Salicylates are just too sticky even if finely milled with anti-cake. I suppose you would also think screening flash is unsafe too, despite ever well respected canister shell builder doing it. As Mike Swisher so elegantly put it "diapering flash is for babies". There are wet methods that work too, but it seems you want to keep it dry, and there is still screening involved.

 

I would also suggest adding a catalyst of some sort. If for no other reason to help show full integration. Perc and Benzoate are both white, but adding some Fe2O3 (pink) or Copper Oxychloride (light blue), will help to show any flecks or unmixed components.

 

Treat either flash or whistle as if it could go off at any point. While one may be less sensitive than another, it's all relative. Both compositions are still on the upper end of sensitivity and power. I prefer whistle in ball shells, but that is a personal preference. I do not tend to use boosters in general though.

[PoorBoy]

Whistle burst in this case is simply screened

70 Potasium Perchlorate

30 Sodium Salicylate (or substitute Sodium Benzoate or Potasium Benzoate)

 

The above does not use vaseline, nor oil nor anything (just simply screen mixed)

 

The Slow Flash is Ned's comp as follows

2 Potasium Nitrate

1 Sulfur

1 Aluminum American Dark 809

 

the slow flash is diaper mixed.

 

So my questions are:

1) have you compared both or used both in 3 to 5 inch shells as a booster to your BP burst charge

2) if so, what differences did you notice

3) how do they compare in terms of sensitivity to shock, impact, friction, other safety issues

 

I see everyone agrees on whistle mix being a better booster, however salicylate and benzoates are on the list of things i wish i had. I guess until I can make whistle I am limited to slow flash. If i was going to sub the american dark Al would 1300 mesh/12 mic bright flake work? its bright silver and kinda fluffy and greasy. I would rather use that cause i got it cheap and have a few pounds of it. I also have indian black head but dont want to use my good stuff. I also want to say thanks to all the greats that make this forum the utopia of knowledge that it is.

 

P.S. what is 1300 mesh bright flake good for, i've had it over a year now and havent found a use for it.

[Ralph]

birght flake is used in some silver streamers and white stars. it can be used for flash (generally perchlorate based flash which often contains sulfur as a sensitiser to ensure easy ignition) I have used it in portfires and rockets also

 

personally I have found bright flake based flash to function quite well when it is in a good mood (sometimes it gives a sharp report other times it burns like a flare) This was probably due not having the nitrate and sulfur fine enough (i haven't made bright flake based flash in over a year as it costs me several times more than dark flake does)

[PoorBoy]

ok thats what i was wondering, so basically the 1300 mesh bright flake is fine enough for slow flash. I also know what you mean about tempermental, i had tried using a half ounce in a 4" shell as a booster and it didnt seem to break that much harder but then again i didnt bother milling my nitrate and used it in crystal form. Thanks for the info, btw how much of this mix would you guys throw in a 4" shell. In specific i'm going for hard breaks with zinc granite stars. They are alot heavier than tiger tail and take a good break to get em moving. I was guessing 10-15 grams of slow flash.

[Mumbles]

Many people just coat their BP coated rice hulls in slow flash and call it good. Add as much as will adhere, and maybe a little more.

[PoorBoy]

Many people just coat their BP coated rice hulls in slow flash and call it good. Add as much as will adhere, and maybe a little more.

 

 

im gonna have to give that a try, sounds simpler than having to worry about eveny spreading the flash and making it to order every time i put a few shells together. thanks for the tip!