Search found 620 matches

by sambo
Sat Jul 27, 2019 10:40 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Crackle Degradation with Storage
Replies: 5
Views: 3152

Re: Crackle Degradation with Storage

Sorry Ken, I have been M.I.A. - working like you wouldn't believe and it'll probably get worse. I do have some green dot but I'm saving it for Richard :D , so i'm using Ken's nitrocellulose, I think it might be a combination of the both, - thinking about what you're all saying it could be the prime ...
by sambo
Fri Jul 26, 2019 10:48 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Crackle Degradation with Storage
Replies: 5
Views: 3152

Crackle Degradation with Storage

Ok, so this one has got me. My crackle ( and I'm in the main using Lloyd's formula ) degenerates with storage. That is to say, the loudness decreases after being stored for a number of months. To the point whereby, it becomes a fizzle! I'm priming again using Lloyd's method but I don't include any p...
by sambo
Mon Feb 11, 2019 8:37 pm
Forum: Rockets and Tooling
Topic: Gummed Tape
Replies: 10
Views: 6067

Re: Gummed Tape

Thanks Fulmen, i'll take a look. I know they do this in industry, they cut the rolls down somehow !
by sambo
Sun Feb 10, 2019 9:51 pm
Forum: Rockets and Tooling
Topic: Gummed Tape
Replies: 10
Views: 6067

Gummed Tape

Really frustrated with the difficulty in finding affordable gummed tape to use with my WASP here in the UK. I can find the larger sizes, but not the widths I need ( 15mm / 20mm ) for 3 inch and 4 inch shells. Does anyone know a cheap source, apart from the usual and can a larger roll be cut with a b...
by sambo
Sun Feb 10, 2019 9:37 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Getting back in the game
Replies: 107
Views: 26262

Re: Getting back in the game

Lloyd, can I ask? Would you consider 50:50 Mg / Potassium Perchlorate to be in the realm of "hyperflash" for small crossettes
by sambo
Sat Jan 26, 2019 2:30 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Getting back in the game
Replies: 107
Views: 26262

Re: Getting back in the game

Sam any of the PVB colours can be used, here is a 1 inch in action fired from a rocket https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4DjJ4J7O9Y ok thanks Ken, I'll put one of your formulas in a lance and see what the burntime is - looks like you've helped me suss this, thanks loads. Fulmen - It's really fun to ...
by sambo
Thu Jan 24, 2019 8:59 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Getting back in the game
Replies: 107
Views: 26262

Re: Getting back in the game

Really nice work, impressed.
Ken, IIRC you've pretty much got your crossettes cracked ( genius pun intended ) - I'm fine with charcoal or glitter crossettes such as LLoyd's buttered popcorn but coloured crossettes still elude me. Have you had any success at 1inch colours ?
by sambo
Mon Nov 05, 2018 8:44 pm
Forum: Chemistry
Topic: That PVB blue.
Replies: 78
Views: 28414

Re: That PVB blue.

I've found calcium carbonate works will with Barium Nitrate for yellow, you could try this in place of the sodium oxalate.
by sambo
Sat Oct 20, 2018 8:30 pm
Forum: Chemistry
Topic: Crackle research
Replies: 108
Views: 37676

Re: Crackle research

Sorry Richard. I think you are right :-(
It will be worth the wait and we're all rooting for you !
by sambo
Fri Oct 19, 2018 7:38 pm
Forum: Chemistry
Topic: Crackle research
Replies: 108
Views: 37676

Re: Crackle research

In my experience Richard, although your journals may be different, it takes months, then more months when they ask you to make changes and resubmit. Then even more months before it's scheduled for a particular journal. I think in one instance it was coming on for 18months :-(
by sambo
Wed Aug 29, 2018 9:30 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: MAN! A big mistake yesterday!
Replies: 3
Views: 1983

Re: MAN! A big mistake yesterday!

Lloyd, I can almost feel your pain - when something unexpected thwarts what is otherwise an entirely sensible idea, and then there is that panicked feeling of right, I've gotta fix this now or else the pain will feel worse!

Sucks.
by sambo
Sat Aug 25, 2018 9:24 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: 53 inch shell
Replies: 35
Views: 11439

Re: 53 inch shell

I'm really gutted, I'm sure Ben is too and I feel for the guy that built it - glad everyone is ok.
by sambo
Sat Aug 25, 2018 9:21 pm
Forum: Star Formulas
Topic: Steve Cardwell blue star.
Replies: 5
Views: 4788

Re: Steve Cardwell blue star.

Yes, in fact at one stage that was my most used blue until I switched to Phiko KP Blue and found them to be very similar. For shells I now mostly use Jim Widman's Phenolic Blue with Saran ( or in my case Ixan )
by sambo
Sat Aug 25, 2018 9:19 pm
Forum: Star Formulas
Topic: What’s everyone’s favorite gold
Replies: 9
Views: 5709

Re: What’s everyone’s favorite gold

Lloyd I do very much like your Buttered Popcorn and for some reason it makes rather excellent crossettes ( dextrin subbed for SGRS ). However, may favourtie glitters are the Sodium Oxalate ones, similar to the ones found in Hardt. The Spanish Gold is close enough : Black Powder, with pine or grapevi...
by sambo
Sat Aug 11, 2018 9:44 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: ricochet spark effect
Replies: 1
Views: 1552

Re: ricochet spark effect

Interesting, thanks Dave. So how do you do it?
by sambo
Thu Jul 26, 2018 8:50 pm
Forum: Painting The Sky
Topic: ball milling question
Replies: 37
Views: 14067

Re: ball milling question

Interesting Dave, wasn't quite what I was thinking but in my research, I came across the use of Jet Mills in the production of match head composition. I could potentially gain access to a jet mill and conduct some tests, I'm told it will pulverize match composition to a fine tomato paste type consis...
by sambo
Mon Jul 23, 2018 9:40 pm
Forum: Painting The Sky
Topic: ball milling question
Replies: 37
Views: 14067

Re: ball milling question

Dave and Alchemist, the question I have been wondering, now that I'm also a convert to single component milling is should we be evolving from ball mills altogether. I've mentioned previously about air micronisers ( or jet mills ) - although in the case of charcoal which is quite soft a rotary impact...
by sambo
Wed Jul 11, 2018 9:23 pm
Forum: Chemistry
Topic: thermite based ematch
Replies: 1
Views: 3073

Re: thermite based ematch

I thought of you the other day Dave, I can get hold of nano copper oxide. no nano aluminium yet but the copper oxide I can get.
by sambo
Wed Jul 11, 2018 9:21 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: If true, a REAL BONER!
Replies: 11
Views: 3836

Re: If true, a REAL BONER!

Brad, you and I share a sense of humour of the finest quality. I dedicate, our very own British version to you :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGRPFUYUUdQ
by sambo
Sat Jul 07, 2018 9:32 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: If true, a REAL BONER!
Replies: 11
Views: 3836

Re: If true, a REAL BONER!

It was the combination of the capitals and the qualifier "REAL" it just seemed to stand out ( pun intended ). Brad, please post the clip - mean you've got to now. I apologise profusely for my inability to contain my childish humour. I was invented in the 1970's so I suppose I'm techincally...
by sambo
Sat Jul 07, 2018 8:47 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: If true, a REAL BONER!
Replies: 11
Views: 3836

Re: If true, a REAL BONER!

Negligent, unprofessional and careless!

Had to look it up though. I see the American definition of boner is a blunder or mistake. In the U.K. ( and it's in the dictionary ) it means an erection.

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictio ... lish/boner
by sambo
Fri Jul 06, 2018 8:53 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: If true, a REAL BONER!
Replies: 11
Views: 3836

Re: If true, a REAL BONER!

Thanks Lloyd, that's pretty unbelievable - where's the professional pride ?

Gotta say it though, I though "boner" had a different meaning .... :-)
by sambo
Thu Jul 05, 2018 9:51 pm
Forum: Donations.
Topic: Support pyro-gear
Replies: 9
Views: 6605

Re: Support pyro-gear

but of course !
by sambo
Sun Jul 01, 2018 9:35 pm
Forum: Donations.
Topic: Support pyro-gear
Replies: 9
Views: 6605

Re: Support pyro-gear

Ben's waiting on the order for the stragglers !

:D
by sambo
Sun Jul 01, 2018 9:34 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: BP testing with some drifting to charcoal
Replies: 47
Views: 12350

Re: BP testing with some drifting to charcoal

That's looking great Brad - looks like a serious, commendable, labour of love. Man after me own heart.
by sambo
Mon Jun 25, 2018 9:06 pm
Forum: Painting The Sky
Topic: Making Match
Replies: 5
Views: 4380

Re: Making Match

Thanks Lloyd, that's around 1mm so that's really helpful and the 4 ply makes sense ( nothing wrong with your cerebral servos btw ).

Ben, that would be great, I'd take whatever you can stash ?!?!
by sambo
Mon Jun 25, 2018 8:55 pm
Forum: Painting The Sky
Topic: Making Match
Replies: 5
Views: 4380

Re: Making Match

thanks very much for that info Lloyd - would you be able to give me an approximation of its diameter? Consistency amongst different suppliers seems non-existent and the different metrics for quoting thread sizes doesn't seem to help me I find.
by sambo
Mon Jun 25, 2018 8:37 pm
Forum: Painting The Sky
Topic: Making Match
Replies: 5
Views: 4380

Making Match

Would anyone be able to help me with this : https://jengospa.com/cms/products/#cotton here is my supplier for my match cotton, I'm wondering what's likely to be "best" for making match or at least what questions to ask? Or is it trial and error? I'm limited to this supplier only. I've been...
by sambo
Sat Apr 07, 2018 9:56 pm
Forum: Rockets and Tooling
Topic: 12mm Getter Tooling
Replies: 19
Views: 8123

Re: 12mm Getter Tooling

ok thanks Lloyd, I may have just figured out what line to go down. Mike Swisher often talks about rolled shots and the traditional method - in fact I have a round-holed 1.5 inch crossette pump for shot bursting. I will think it through.
by sambo
Sat Apr 07, 2018 9:53 pm
Forum: Rockets and Tooling
Topic: Star Roller Help
Replies: 17
Views: 8597

Re: Star Roller Help

ah ha - interesting, thanks Biffo. I'll check it out!
by sambo
Wed Apr 04, 2018 8:23 pm
Forum: Rockets and Tooling
Topic: 12mm Getter Tooling
Replies: 19
Views: 8123

Re: 12mm Getter Tooling

9 Tonnes! That's some serious work. Crossettes and cavity stars have become a bit of a thing for me at the moment. I use have a 23mm tool with a square cavity - I don't always get perfect 4 part splitting, every tenth crossette or so will generally break into 3. That's with Buttered popcorn bound wi...
by sambo
Mon Apr 02, 2018 10:19 pm
Forum: Rockets and Tooling
Topic: 12mm Getter Tooling
Replies: 19
Views: 8123

Re: 12mm Getter Tooling

You were right Lloyd, thanks. I had taken it out of the headstock to check the fit and then put it back before I faced the end but must have been slightly out. All fixed now and pumping beautifully. I think I have found the way forwards. Hopefully some pictures to follow. Lloyd is there a way of dab...
by sambo
Sun Apr 01, 2018 10:43 pm
Forum: Rockets and Tooling
Topic: 12mm Getter Tooling
Replies: 19
Views: 8123

Re: 12mm Getter Tooling

ok so I'm learning some good lessons. My tooling is a pile of crap. sleeve is far too short and fiddly and there is too much play on that length of sleeve which just causes a mess with the comp binding the tooling. As it's effectively a core burner I've turned a new set based on pressing onto the co...
by sambo
Sat Mar 31, 2018 5:33 pm
Forum: Rockets and Tooling
Topic: crossette pump sellers in uk
Replies: 12
Views: 7125

Re: crossette pump sellers in uk

Llyod is right Caleb does make and ship great stuff. But! Ken is the man over here.... Ken over to you.
by sambo
Thu Mar 29, 2018 5:10 pm
Forum: Rockets and Tooling
Topic: 12mm Getter Tooling
Replies: 19
Views: 8123

Re: 12mm Getter Tooling

Too right Lloyd, I think you would be a "dangerous" person for me to ever actually meet - both you and Brad for that matter. I think I'd end up truly diseased for sure. This video is a bit old now, but just look at all the machines here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzcDY6I_RHk Biffo, ...
by sambo
Wed Mar 28, 2018 7:57 pm
Forum: Rockets and Tooling
Topic: 12mm Getter Tooling
Replies: 19
Views: 8123

12mm Getter Tooling

Planning on making some TR-Style Skittle Go-Getter Rocket Headings for this summer. Made myself some 12mm tooling for the purpose and will put these in a 3inch can heading is the plan.

Will let you know how it goes.

http://www.pyrobin.com/files/IMG-3398.JPG
by sambo
Mon Mar 19, 2018 5:33 pm
Forum: Painting The Sky
Topic: Tweaking Glitters
Replies: 6
Views: 5107

Re: Tweaking Glitters

ok, that's pretty helpful Ken as a guide. I'm getting around 2s flight time I think from memory. I'm pretty sure they are just not dry but I will try the snowball also as using PVB will help solve my problem. Cheers.
by sambo
Sat Mar 17, 2018 10:32 pm
Forum: Painting The Sky
Topic: Tweaking Glitters
Replies: 6
Views: 5107

Re: Tweaking Glitters

That's interesting. The tests tonight were with D1 but I pressed a batch of your glitter on the same day so I will try those in the candles.

thank you.
by sambo
Sat Mar 17, 2018 9:06 pm
Forum: Painting The Sky
Topic: Tweaking Glitters
Replies: 6
Views: 5107

Re: Tweaking Glitters

Likely these are just wet aren't they. As Ken will attest, I'm getting really hacked off with this wet UK weather this year. It's just one big flooded mud bath down here and my fireworks buildings keep leaking. Euch.

I need a really really low hygroscopicity glitter.
by sambo
Sat Mar 17, 2018 8:51 pm
Forum: Painting The Sky
Topic: Tweaking Glitters
Replies: 6
Views: 5107

Tweaking Glitters

I'm constructing Roman Candles which take a 23mm insert. These inserts are pressed glitter comets. I'm using D1 or Lloyd's buttered popcorn. My problem is this. Due to the constraints of the design it is very difficult for me to alter the dimensions of the comets. However, on very windy nights ( suc...
by sambo
Wed Mar 14, 2018 11:42 pm
Forum: Chemistry
Topic: interesting new blue compositions
Replies: 14
Views: 7764

Re: interesting new blue compositions

that's the one! dead easy to make ;-)
by sambo
Wed Mar 14, 2018 9:15 pm
Forum: Chemistry
Topic: interesting new blue compositions
Replies: 14
Views: 7764

Re: interesting new blue compositions

yes, without a doubt. There are some interesting bespoke compounds with halides, fuel and colourant - I remember Tom mentioned a few I think derived from Azoles and some from terephthalates. Tris glycine strontium (ii) perchlorate is easy to make and very effective for red but needs some additional ...
by sambo
Wed Mar 14, 2018 8:59 pm
Forum: Chemistry
Topic: interesting new blue compositions
Replies: 14
Views: 7764

Re: interesting new blue compositions

I'm one of the first with a penchant to dabble in "new blues" but the iodate blues are rather underwhelming they burn with very low light ouput and for too long. However, well - bromate blues that's a different story ;-)
by sambo
Mon Feb 12, 2018 10:11 pm
Forum: Rockets and Tooling
Topic: 5 pound mill.
Replies: 15
Views: 7897

Re: 5 pound mill.

I've put my order in

wahhhahahahhhhahahaaaa!
by sambo
Mon Jan 15, 2018 7:25 pm
Forum: Painting The Sky
Topic: Lift charge not working well under 3"
Replies: 55
Views: 18730

Re: Lift charge not working well under 3"

Awesome! Great work !
by sambo
Sun Jan 14, 2018 7:28 pm
Forum: Rockets and Tooling
Topic: Star Roller Help
Replies: 17
Views: 8597

Re: Star Roller Help

by sambo
Sun Jan 14, 2018 7:25 pm
Forum: Rockets and Tooling
Topic: Star Roller Help
Replies: 17
Views: 8597

Re: Star Roller Help

would be great to have you down for a visit, welcome anytime. Haven't seen that stuff, I'll keep on googling !
by sambo
Sat Jan 13, 2018 9:41 pm
Forum: Painting The Sky
Topic: KP Burst 3inch
Replies: 19
Views: 8481

Re: KP Burst 3inch

ok you guys, you were all right, of course and you knew it. I've come full circle. I have just tested 4 x 3inch ball shells all burst with MCRH. Spectacular. I've been using a waxed kind of craft to hand paste my shells, although I have a WASP - I haven't wanted to add any new variables so I've cont...
by sambo
Thu Jan 11, 2018 11:57 pm
Forum: Rockets and Tooling
Topic: Star Roller Help
Replies: 17
Views: 8597

Re: Star Roller Help

Right Dave,

I totally get what you mean - having researched this. That would be a giant leap forwards, although I'm not sure it's in my reach yet. Why do you granulate before you extrude though ?
by sambo
Thu Jan 11, 2018 11:12 pm
Forum: Rockets and Tooling
Topic: Star Roller Help
Replies: 17
Views: 8597

Re: Star Roller Help

Dave,
I just googled that drive unit and the controls are identical. I'll have to go and read the label and see what I come up with. You're a genius !