kpknd Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 (edited) Is there a permit required to purchase one pound of dark aluminum? Or can there be a substitute for headings such as spherical? Edited March 18, 2014 by kpknd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiley Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 (edited) I don't believe that you do, but I'll let some more experienced members fill you in on that. I have heard that if you can find REALLY fine spherical aluminum (think -5micron) it works great in reports. Any coarser, and more commonly available spherical aluminums will result in something almost completely unignitable. Edited March 18, 2014 by Wiley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shizznt Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 I think you can buy up to 2 pounds in one year. If you want any more, then you need to have a permit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mumbles Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 That is more of a supplier imposed restriction than anything based on legal requirements. The atomized stuff really works better for large salutes. If you want to make small salutes, it's best to stick with real dark Al. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiley Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 Mumbles, what counts as "large" in your book? After all, you're the guy making 6" bottom shots and 5" lamps, while some of us still think that a 1.75" BS is a pretty good pop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psyco_1322 Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 With certain atomized products, or mixes of Al, you can probably use it in anything over an ounce with good results. Personally I wouldn't mess with it if it wasn't over a pound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpknd Posted March 19, 2014 Author Share Posted March 19, 2014 I do'nt usualy make more than 10 gm at a time, and that gets divided up in several headings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpknd Posted March 20, 2014 Author Share Posted March 20, 2014 Guess I will not have anymore noise makers after my small supply of dark Al is gone. I contacted skylighter and was told if the intention is to make flash they will not sell to me,understood, what else would it be used for? Is there a substitute that can be used? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mumbles Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 There are other suppliers as well. Even the places that kind of rip you off on price, will sell it for probably 20-30% less than skylighter. There are plenty of other well respected, legitimate suppliers. If you join any local or regional clubs this year, many of them have suppliers there that can help you out. Every club shoot I've been to in recent memory has on-site chemical suppliers or suppliers who will deliver to shoots. They will not be suspicious of purchases of an occasional pound of Al, especially if they see you using it responsibly. There are a couple other applications, but they don't require all that much. A few glitters and silver streamers use it, but there are not a lot of formulas calling for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlaMtnBkr Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 (edited) Just don't tell them what it is for. They don't want you making illegal boomers but flash has a legitimate use in pyro. Just don't try buy aluminum, perc, tubes, and fuse in the same order. Buy other stuff you need and just throw a pound in occasionally. Once you have a history buying a variety of chemicals they will let you buy just about anything, though I think they still limit it to 2 lbs a year for dark aluminum. But you can buy unlimited oxidizers after a while. Like Mumbles mentioned there are cheaper places. But if you need something quick they can be a good source. Edited March 20, 2014 by FlaMtnBkr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpknd Posted March 20, 2014 Author Share Posted March 20, 2014 Will I still need a permit for one lb.? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pyrokid Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 Skylighter might require one but many other vendors do not. Dark aluminum isn't illegal in any way. It can be used in an illegal way, and some vendors don't want to be associated with that so they put restrictions on it. A few years back there was a real witch hunt against pyro vendors who sold materials that can be used for illicit salutes, and I believe Skylighter's policies are due to this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpknd Posted March 20, 2014 Author Share Posted March 20, 2014 Any suggestions on vendors? I think Rolling Thunder used to have it but not now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlaMtnBkr Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 You don't need a permit but can only get 2 lbs a year. I don't think rolling thunder has the best reputation. For aluminum there is star molecule but that's all they sell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TYRONEEZEKIEL Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 Hobby chemical supply and past time pyro are great choices. I could probably sell a couple of pounds to you guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpknd Posted March 23, 2014 Author Share Posted March 23, 2014 Hobby chemical supply and past time pyro are great choices. I could probably sell a couple of pounds to you guys.Do you own or work for one of these companys? I noticed on the past time pyro site it offers potassium perchlorate with the purchase of some aluminums. ??????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TYRONEEZEKIEL Posted March 24, 2014 Share Posted March 24, 2014 I do not own or work for these companies, but I have enough dark al to sell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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