Composition amounts.

[psymon]

Just wondering how much composition you all make per batch? Is there a good amount to make that means its both economical and you get a decent amount of mix.

I am sure most people make 100 gram batches of stars etc. Just because most formulas are to a percentage.

I have been making 100 gram batches but I am thinking of making more now as its quite labour intesive to make a decent mix and then you only get a few stars out of it...

Problem is that while ball milling it you have to increase the mixing time or else you get lumps...

[Mumbles]

I've been moving to bigger shell lately (5 and 6" mainly) so thus the batches get bigger. I generally make my stuff in 200g batches for testing purposes. It gives enough to make a few testing devices without wasting too much. For things I know work I've been going about 500g lately(600 if I ball mill). However for my most recent stars, I made 1200g batches.

[hst45]

As Mumbles said, it really depends on how much you intend to use, and how fast. I do mostly smaller stuff, 2" + 3" shells, roman candles, small rockets, etc., so I tend to do small batchs. For compounds that I use regularly I do either 100 or 200 gm batchs. To test a new star compound I usually do a 20gm. batch. I'm a cheap bastard and I hate to waste chems., and I ususlly end up tweaking a new compound a couple of times until I get it the way I want.

 

I also stay away from storing anything hygroscopic such as sugar-based rocket fuels, and anything potentailly more dangerous in larger quantities, eg. flash. I produce flash as I use it.

 

The one thing that I do in large batchs is charcoal. My charcoal seems to vary a good bit from run to run, so in the intrest of consistancy I produce a batch that will last me for many months to eliminate that inconsistancy as a variable. I ball-mill several full batchs and then blend all the contents together to produce a consistant product. Oh, and when you do this, don't do it A) Indoors, 2) On a windy day and 3) while wearing clean cloths. What a fucking mess

[psymon]

Wow I am surprised. My batches tend to be around the 100 gram mark unless as you say I am making something like flash.

I do have about 500 grams of BP ready and waiting to be used. I should up my production what with November the 5th soon here.

Thinking about throwing a firework party around that date. Maybe before or after so I can visit a few displays and get some more ideas for future fireworks.

[Chris]

I usually make 1 kg batches when milling is not needed. My mill can hold up to maybe 600 grams of comp so that's the upper limit for BP or most nitrate-based comps. Large batches tend to be a bit laborious to mix, but I've noticed that screening and diapering the comp on a large sheet of plastic foil works very well. It's also one of the methods the chinese use.

[Mephistos Minion]

As a general rule, I don't make less than 500g of any composition. The reason for this is I don't have any expensive chemicals to waste . I will be making more like 1 kilo bathes when I finally finish my new mill after exams.