making black match fuse

[schroedinger]

I've also heard that gum arabic (also called acacia gum) makes good, flexible blackmatch that doesn't flake easily. You could try using that. It's available at some grocery stores as a thickener and emulsifier for foods.

Yes it makes a quite flexible black match, you need about 5-7%.

 

What makes a really good black match too, is to use 3% Dextrine and tnen wet the slurry with wheat paste. This match is stiffand doesn't flake of easly.

[Seymour]

I used as little as 2% Gum Arabic in black match. I find it is a far superior binder compared to dextrin.

[dagabu]

Yes it makes a quite flexible black match, you need about 5-7%.

 

What makes a really good black match too, is to use 3% Dextrine and tnen wet the slurry with wheat paste. This match is stiffand doesn't flake of easly.

 

I tried that too years back but found that the wheat paste retarded the flame a bit too much for my liking. 5 years later, I have not found anything to make better match than the 3% (or so) dextrin and 1% CMC. I am looking at Caleb's BM machine lately, that looks like it would make some wicked BM!

[schroedinger]

Well calebs machine is just like the chinese machines work (just has some reverses in it, instead of a straight line).

Due to all the bends innhis machine the bp gets worked into the string better, then if you where using the funnel method. I made a machine like that some years ago, it worked and made servicable black match, but it flakes off quite easy. I moved back to the passfire method, since the match it makes is superior to the pull through match and well how often do you need to make match? Once every one or two years.

[dagabu]

Well calebs machine is just like the chinese machines work (just has some reverses in it, instead of a straight line).

Due to all the bends innhis machine the bp gets worked into the string better, then if you where using the funnel method. I made a machine like that some years ago, it worked and made servicable black match, but it flakes off quite easy. I moved back to the passfire method, since the match it makes is superior to the pull through match and well how often do you need to make match? Once every one or two years.

 

Whats the passfire method? I have been gone for three years from there...

 

Yes, that is why I want to get his machine, I dont like the hank method at all and the funnel method just gets it on the outside. I am hopefully going to be pulling BM every year at PGI for a class.

[schroedinger]

The passfire method is, you roll your string around a big pipe (or a couple poles), then tie it at at least 3 points, works in the slurry and wind it onto a frame.

[Mumbles]

CMC really works best in conjunction with another real binder. It excels as a gelling agent and keeping everything in suspension. Below are some notes on blackmatch binders from Bill Kimbrough. HEC has similar properties to CMC, and boiled laundry starch is similar to wheat paste.

 

 

10-15 years ago I did a series of tests, not really totally scientific, but

practical for my purposes to see which binder made the best black

match.

I made up several different batches, and tried to be consistent in

the application on the string.

Dextrin

Boiled laundry starch

Hydroxyethylcellulose

Starpohl

Gum arabic

maybe others, I can't remember now.

Then the tests. I was trying to find out which had the lowest

moisture reabsorbtion after dried, and the best burn rate.

To get the moisture test I laid a foot long piece of the match

on a table on the porch of my lab with 6" hanging off the edge

for 12 hours including he humidity of the night.

I called this the limp d--k test. The least sagging were the

boiled laundry starch, and the Gum arabic. Pretty much a tie,

maybe the starch a little better.

The worst was the Dextrin, really limp, pretty much the same

as the Starpohl.

To test the burn rate I put the butt end of 1' long pieces together

into the center of a piece of cardboard, and just lit the center.

Whoever gets to the edge first wins.

Pretty much a tie again with Gum arabic and boiled laundry

starch the winners. Starpohl dead last. Hec a little better

than Dextrin.

The boiled laundry starch was Jack Fielders favorite, and

still worth doing, but the gum arabic is much easier.

Now that you guys are introducing multiple binding agents,

I guess it is time to do a whole new series of tests.

Maybe scientific this time.

[OldMarine]

I have been making my match with the "hank and knead" method using 3% dextrin as the binder.

I've bought a BM machine and need to add some CMC to keep the slurry from settling out during the process.

 

Should I reduce my dextrin if using CMC @ 2%?

[dagabu]

I certainly would not exceed 4% total additions to the BP. You dont want to slow it down any.

[Gecko123]

Can anyone tell me what I could make with: kno3, charcoal powder, sulphur, sugar, magnesium 100-400 mesh, bentonite clay and dextrin.

Thanks ps doing this as a reply because I can't post yet.

[MrB]

Um, rockets, shells, liftpowder... In reality, anything + a cup of tea,

 

However, were in the throng thread for this, i suppose...

 

B!

Edited May 7, 2016 by MrB

[BlueComet24]

You can make a huge variety of compositions.

http://www.amateurpyro.com/forums/topic/1767-compositions-using-only-kno3-charcoal-and-sulfur/

Here's a composition filter that is pretty good: http://pyrodata.com/composition/filter-advanced

Be careful with that magnesium, be sure to do your research, and be safe.

[Redrocketman]

About to give my 1st batch a go, will mix BP into ketchup consistency slurry, & mash the living s%#t out of it. is there an ideal temp to have water???

[Mumbles]

Not really. I tend to use hot water. By the time you work it all in, and get the slurry homogeneous it will have cooled down considerably. I prefer it to still be warm when I'm working it into the string. It soaks in faster, the BP will solidify some when it cools on the string, and it's just more comfortable to work in.

[Redrocketman]

Well, as stated made 1st batch, led out on one of my screens overnight in front of the A/C set on low. I'll leave it a couple more days before expecting it to be bone dry, but just tested a section- lights easy, burns absolutely consistent with a nice flame front @ around 10 -12mm per second.

Easy as pie!!

[Merlin]

I found the drying box necessary due to high humidity. Once dry it burns similar to Visco.

 

My question is should the leader pipe be constricted at one or both ends?

Does anyone have a problem with the leader pipe catching fire before the match accelerates?

Edited August 6, 2016 by Merlin

[Arthur]

I used to use a milk bottle like http://www.wrap.org.uk/sites/files/wrap/imagecache/image_embedded/image/Milk%20bottles.jpg

 

Cut the bottle in half with a vertical cut, save the half with the handle. Feed the string through the handle and fill the half bottle with BP/Dex mix. Wind the product match onto a huge frame (say 2m sided square with nails at the corners. ) wind it very very slowly. Half a pint of slurry will coat a big ball of string, and take all of a sunny day to dry.

Edited August 6, 2016 by Arthur

[memo]

I bought a black match machine from caleb, I am happy with it, I just need to get the right string. what I am using now is too big. even for making flat match. hi humidity will mess everything up. you do need a dry box. yesterday was at 90 % the highest I have seen it. nothing was drying outside.

 

memo

[OldMarine]

Memo, if the guy on FW still has his string you should get some. It's 3 strands and very fine and thirsty. I'll have to search my PMs to remember who it is but I'm on it.

 

Found it: txsafr had the good string/thread. It works great for thin, fat and flat match. I hope he still has some.

Edited August 7, 2016 by OldMarine

[Redrocketman]

The most consistent, usable black match I have made has been not so much by BP speed, but by ensuring that the BP slurry has been worked thoroughly into the string, carefully agitating the string while submerged in the slurry pot. When dried ( on a wire screen inside for 4 - 7 days ) and cut, there is no visible white strands through the whole section of string at all. I try leave drying for at least a week in a room with A/C.

Common sense would say attempts would be fairly fruitless if starting with a poor quality BP.

[Mumbles]

I firmly believe that if you want to make single strand blackmatch you need to kneed the string in the slurry. If you want to use a jig or a "machine", drawing multiple strings through to later be combined into one strand is the only effective method to make quality match. Blackpowder impregnated into the strands is key.

[OldMarine]

Caleb's machine pinches the string while in the slurry to force it into the fibers and possess it through that slurry twice before pulling it through one of several dies. You can make thin, fat or flat match quicker than you can find something to wind it all up on.

No, this isn't a paid advertisement. I'm just a happy customer!

[Redrocketman]

agree with mumbles, said in different words!!

[Arthur]