Fireworks are lots of fun and around this time of year there are in abundance. Instead of purchasing them next time why not try your hand at making some fireworks yourself. It goes without saying that fireworks are very dangerous and great precaution must be taken if you decide to roll your own. If you are going to make your own fireworks you might want to build your own ignition system for your fireworks show. This behind the scenes peek at some large fireworks shows is quite amazing also.
"Stars
A batch of 75 grams of 10 mm pumped "Tiger tail" stars were made for this shell, however only 70 grams were used. Remember always to make more than you need. It’s better to have a bit more, than be needing. The stars were primed in meal black powder to ensure ignition. Since Tiger tail stars ignite easy, you might find that this might be unnecessary. If a ‘rising comet’ is desired, a 20 mm or 3/4" comet is pumped with the compostion. Make sure that the comet has a burn time equal to the time fuse or spolette (3 seconds).
Tiger tail stars:
Potassium nitrate………………44
Charcoal (Pine airfloat)……..44
Sulphur………………………………6
SGRS or Dextrin…………………6"
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Just don’t go making these in Australia unless you have a license or you’ll be up for a big fine and possibly gaol time.
Pretty interesting to see how these can be constructed though.
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Interesting read. I wouldn’t recommend making these in the states either. As being caught with these regardless of intent will be viewed as possession of IED regardless of the state. You probably will do some time, or face a stiff fine at the very least. I’ve heard of people being charged with IED possession for making and having home-made candy rocket engines.
http://www.wsls.com/sls/news/local/lynchburg/article/man_arrested_for_ieds_home_made_fireworks_in_amherst_county/30945/
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Yeah, probably best not try making them in the UK either. They’ll probably assume you’re a terrorist or something daft.
On the plus side, if you do get caught there’s a chance that in a few hundred years time you’ll be responsible for a public holiday in your name 😉
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—->piku
nice be famous after death
—->Pouncer, Macka, piku
but i think there will be remote areas were one has right to
make firework by him self and use it in there. in usa am sure there is such place because i saw it in TV i just do not member were.
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@Mikheil: I think there may be a place in the US, in some desert, I’m sure Mythbusters mentioned it at some stage.
There is no place like this in Australia though; you must have a license, sure you can go somewhere remote and do it illegally, but if you get caught….
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As with many other post here, I think most of us is just interested in “how it works”. I would guess that making fireworks is regulated in most countries. But maybe you can make small ones without getting in trouble.
@Piku, yeah wasn’t there some Guy in the UK ?… 😉
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Unfortunately in the US, the ATF views any individual who does not possess a valid license for making explosive materials as a potential terrorist. This is not to say if you live in some backwoods area that you couldn’t get away with it, but just be warned.