n00b questions about turbo pyro .pdf

[Poindexter]

I have the turbo pyro .pdf. I have read it a few times end to end and there is one thing I don't understand. So far.

 

This is just from reading it. I am sure when the postman gets here from Virginia and I get the box open I'll have more, right now I just have one question.

 

In chapter 6, pumped stars, I am to make pumped stars using 49-40-6-5 comp (KNO3, C, S, Dextrin) +10% by weight distilled water, and the star pump in the kit. While they are still damp I am supposed to spritz them with some water and prime them with a few grams of 75-15-10 +5%Dextrin.

 

And then >>>caution, drying stars have been known to spontaneously combust<<<<<

 

But in all the later chapters, rockets, helicopters, hummers, wheel drivers ad nauseum I am supposed to use 75-15-10 as a base mix, then 75-85% base mix with balance 80 mesh charcoal, and ram the stuff into the wee paper tubes -- with no >>>>caution<<< >>>>spontaneous combustion<<< warning.

 

In all fairness, chapter six is the first place the gentle reader starts handling actual BP. So here is my question so far:

 

Should I be treating all compacted BP items as if they might spontaneously combust while drying, as if maybe the >>>warning, warning<<<< wasn't copy/ pasted into all the other chapters, or is there something peculiar about priming pumped stars, or is it just a good habit to dry stars away from all other BP items for later if I get into pretty colors, or what exactly?

 

Thanks

[psyco_1322]

None of it is going to spontaneously combust, you can ignore that part... especially not anything based off bp chems...

[nater]

I think Ned is trying to promote good practice of drying stars away from everything else. Some chemicals, like certain aluminums can react with potassium nitrate and water while drying and get hot enough to ignite. Those are not part of the turbo pyro kit, so you don't need to worry about it now. Just work in an appropriate place outdoors and you should be fine. Edited May 14, 2013 by nater

[Bobosan]

........or is it just a good habit to dry stars away from all other BP items for later if I get into pretty colors, or what exactly?

 

Thanks

 

It's a good habit to get into for later compositions.