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Posted
I have been thinking about making some Granite and Pearl formula. I have been reading what Harry says. Why couldn't you mill that comp instead of having to buy more screens, or would that make the comp. to fine? Also would they work if you roll them instead of cutting them other than not lighting as fast? One more thing, will Paulania Charcoal work instead of Air Float?
Posted

You do not want to mill those comps, they will likely cause a mill explosion.

 

I would really advise just skipping these comps and make something that's not a waste of your chemicals. Even when Zinc stars are working 100% perfect, they are still not that impressive of an effect. The light output is dim and the color looks like you screwed up something. Not only do they weigh excessively more than most stars and use more lift, they also tend to rain down glowing hot slag and catch everything on fire at your shoot site. Really, I just wouldn't waste my time on them.

Posted
that's what I've heard from numerous people, not worth fooling with
Posted (edited)

Air float is not a type of charcoal it is a size of charcoal, so yes I think your charcoal would work but that is a really good charcoal for black powder so I would use a cheaper. Like psyco said do not ball mill it. I do think it could be nicely rolled but you might want to pump or cut a few just to see if you like them first and then if you do like them go and make a bigger rolled batch. However I have never made any zink stars so I don't know for sure.

bob.

Edited by bob
Posted
OK thanks just a thought.
Posted
What would you guys make if you had a bunch of zinc powder? I have a friend who just gave me almost a 100 lbs of it and not sure what the best use would be. Thanks!
Posted
I like the effect of granite stars. I also tried a zinc gerb from a comp published in Pyrotechnica, but didn't achieve the effect described. Instead of the molten spots of color, it burned more like a lance. I only have a few pounds of zinc, so I'll use it for more granite stars. If I had a bunch, I would probably experiment with zinc / sulfur rockets
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