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Locking in inserts and comet


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Posted

I was discussing this with Nighthawkinlight the other day, and figured it'd be beneficial to discuss it in the open. I was wondering what you guys are using to pack in inserts and comets in shells? I am looking for something new potentially, as it is rather tedious right now.

 

Up to now I've been primarily using either polverone or clay. They both have their advantages. Polverone compacts nicely and is combustable. It also takes time to make. I have been eyeing up a method by Mike Swisher in which 25lbs or so are made in a pretty expedient manner. Clay is clay. Non-combustable, cheap as the literal dirt that it is. It's rather coarse, and will rain down crap from the sky though. There really isn't much in there though so I don't really care much about that. It is somewhat coarse for tight spaces. I really should try screening it through a window screen or something to get the mesh down to a good level.

 

Nighthawk mentioned using news paper. It'd be combustable, and wouldn't rain to earth, at least not in an annoying manner.

 

The real reason I started this is for another locking in method I've been researching. Manilla folder paper or chipboard is rolled over a triangular form to make a thick walled prism. This is then slid into place to lock in the shells or what have you. It wouldn't be efficient for a 120 comet 4 break crossette shell (which may or may not be in the workswhistle.gif), but it would probably work great for larger spaces in between inserts.

 

The standard is always sawdust of course. I really should call a lumber working company and see if I can get any.

 

So, what do you guys use, and why do you use it? Any advantages or disadvantages?

Posted
I use sawdust all the time. It compacts very well and is free too :) .
Posted
Wheat Bran. Cheap, light, compacts well, won't raind down on you. And if you like, you can use it to thin out some flash, makes a deeper report too.
Posted

Wheat Bran. Cheap, light, compacts well, won't raind down on you. And if you like, you can use it to thin out some flash, makes a deeper report too.

 

 

That sounds like something to try, and as a thinner in small salutes for sure. I also usually use pulverone, but have also just used whatever I had around...coated vermiculite/rice crispies, granulated BP(last resort).

Posted
I just use lightly BP coated grass seed. Its a bit on the springy side but still makes for a real nice and tight shell. Plus it burns up too.
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