Mumbles Posted May 10, 2014 Posted May 10, 2014 I dunno, maybe. If you gave us some more information we might actually be able to help.
Thezoranator Posted May 10, 2014 Author Posted May 10, 2014 Well I was wondering because I dont really have the correct materials for proper stars. I do have limited experience with all pyrotechnics. Note that I am an amateur pyro. But i can get a large amount of sparklers because they are pretty much legal where I live. Please do help
BurritoBandito Posted May 10, 2014 Posted May 10, 2014 "Sparklers" is a very vague term. There are many types of sparklers all with different compositions. This makes it very difficult to really say what could/should be done with them. I think the answer you're going to hear is not one that you're going to like. Some nice stars can be made using only BP chems. If you don't have access to KNO3, charcoal, and sulfur then there really isn't much you're going to be able to make. Let's assume you could make workable stars from sparklers. Then what? Without BP you're not going to be able to build a shell to put them in. I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but if you can't get the right chems and tools to do the job done right, then you probably shouldn't be doing it at all.
taiwanluthiers Posted May 10, 2014 Posted May 10, 2014 Also sparklers are difficult to light so you'll also need bp chems to prime them.
MrB Posted May 10, 2014 Posted May 10, 2014 Lets say like this. I wouldn't use "sparkler fragments" as stars in shells. From experience when i was a kid, you can make some workable fountains with colored sparklers, and BP. But to be honest, it's not worth the effort.If it's not legal to make pyro where you are, you got 3 options:Don't make it. (this one sucks. I know.)Make it anyway. (This one is what i'm going with for my self.)Move (This one i wish i could go with. Perhaps some day, but i doubt it.) The reasoning is pretty simple. Even small improvised devices will be illegal, and the risk of getting hurt from them are actually larger then from making "real" pyro, so if it at some point ends up getting a legal issue improvised devices will get you in more trouble... Since your going to need the very basics of BP chemicals, and while making BP isn't legal in a lot of places, the chemicals rarely are restricted, being fertilizer, sulfur, and charcoal for the BBQ-party. Add a couple of metal powders, and you can make a few different kinds of stars. And i'm having a hard time seeing metal powders & flakes as illegal as well. So, while combining the stuff might get you in trouble, just don't store all of the chems in the same place, try and split oxidizers from fuels, for example. Of course. There are places where everything is illegal, and your not saying where you live...Anyway, good luck.B!
Mortartube Posted May 10, 2014 Posted May 10, 2014 Sparkler mix is pretty soft and crumbly. Bend a wire and take some composition off. It would never stand up to being blown from a shell or rocket header.
Respirator Posted May 15, 2014 Posted May 15, 2014 Strange...I posted twice but the post didn't show up... It should work in theory but the stars would need very heave priming with meal/perc based prime. They also use iron for sparks so it's more of a close proximity effect (maybe fountains or tiny starmines). The "soft and crumbly" problem should be fixed with red gum - it would be the most suitable binder.
Mumbles Posted May 16, 2014 Posted May 16, 2014 Why do you say that red gum is the most suitable binder?
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