<![CDATA[Mortar Tubes Online Forums and Tech Support - All Forums]]> http://www.mortartubes.net/mortar-tubes-forums/ Sat, 19 May 2012 07:58:04 +0000 MyBB <![CDATA[rss - Why We Do Fireworks…]]> http://www.mortartubes.net/mortar-tubes-forums/Thread-rss-Why-We-Do-Fireworks%E2%80%A6--239 Mon, 07 May 2012 12:22:13 +0000 http://www.mortartubes.net/mortar-tubes-forums/Thread-rss-Why-We-Do-Fireworks%E2%80%A6--239 Why We Do Fireworks…

"I often use the word “joy” when describing fireworks.

It is a considered word, deliberate in choice. Not just amusement, entertainment, or astonishment, but joy.

Our art makes us all into children again for awhile. We become one in our experience for the moment, lost in the sound and color and light.

Why We Do Fireworks… is a post from: Confessions of a Fireworks Man




http://blog.skylighter.com/fireworks/201...works.html]]> Why We Do Fireworks…

"I often use the word “joy” when describing fireworks.

It is a considered word, deliberate in choice. Not just amusement, entertainment, or astonishment, but joy.

Our art makes us all into children again for awhile. We become one in our experience for the moment, lost in the sound and color and light.

Why We Do Fireworks… is a post from: Confessions of a Fireworks Man




http://blog.skylighter.com/fireworks/201...works.html]]> <![CDATA[rss - 4-Ounce Black Powder Rockets]]> http://www.mortartubes.net/mortar-tubes-forums/Thread-rss-4-Ounce-Black-Powder-Rockets--240 Mon, 07 May 2012 12:22:13 +0000 http://www.mortartubes.net/mortar-tubes-forums/Thread-rss-4-Ounce-Black-Powder-Rockets--240 4-Ounce Black Powder Rockets

"4-ounce" rockets? What does that mean? Well, if you're interested in the history of the term and some further background information on rockets in general, you can find it in the Introduction to Rockets article. But if you're more interested in getting started, let's go!


Specifically, in this project we are going to make a 4-ounce (1/2-inch ID), nozzled, cored, stick-stabilized, black-powder skyrocket with a bag-shell heading.

4-Ounce Black Powder Rockets is a post from: Confessions of a Fireworks Man




http://blog.skylighter.com/fireworks/201...ckets.html]]> 4-Ounce Black Powder Rockets

"4-ounce" rockets? What does that mean? Well, if you're interested in the history of the term and some further background information on rockets in general, you can find it in the Introduction to Rockets article. But if you're more interested in getting started, let's go!


Specifically, in this project we are going to make a 4-ounce (1/2-inch ID), nozzled, cored, stick-stabilized, black-powder skyrocket with a bag-shell heading.

4-Ounce Black Powder Rockets is a post from: Confessions of a Fireworks Man




http://blog.skylighter.com/fireworks/201...ckets.html]]> <![CDATA[rss - Make Black Powder: Quick, Cheap, Easy and High Quality]]> http://www.mortartubes.net/mortar-tubes-forums/Thread-rss-Make-Black-Powder-Quick-Cheap-Easy-and-High-Quality--237 Thu, 03 May 2012 02:59:20 +0000 http://www.mortartubes.net/mortar-tubes-forums/Thread-rss-Make-Black-Powder-Quick-Cheap-Easy-and-High-Quality--237 Make Black Powder: Quick, Cheap, Easy and High Quality

At some point fairly early in every pyro career we realize we need to be able to make good black powder (BP) from scratch. BP is used in aerial fireworks shells as lift and burst powder. It is also used, in one way or another, in almost every other pyrotechnic device and component--mines, stars, black match, and the list goes on.

Make Black Powder: Quick, Cheap, Easy and High Quality is a post from: Confessions of a Fireworks Man




http://blog.skylighter.com/fireworks/201...-easy.html]]> Make Black Powder: Quick, Cheap, Easy and High Quality

At some point fairly early in every pyro career we realize we need to be able to make good black powder (BP) from scratch. BP is used in aerial fireworks shells as lift and burst powder. It is also used, in one way or another, in almost every other pyrotechnic device and component--mines, stars, black match, and the list goes on.

Make Black Powder: Quick, Cheap, Easy and High Quality is a post from: Confessions of a Fireworks Man




http://blog.skylighter.com/fireworks/201...-easy.html]]> <![CDATA[rss - Everything You Need to Know to Start Making Fireworks Rockets]]> http://www.mortartubes.net/mortar-tubes-forums/Thread-rss-Everything-You-Need-to-Know-to-Start-Making-Fireworks-Rockets--238 Thu, 03 May 2012 02:59:20 +0000 http://www.mortartubes.net/mortar-tubes-forums/Thread-rss-Everything-You-Need-to-Know-to-Start-Making-Fireworks-Rockets--238 Everything You Need to Know to Start Making Fireworks Rockets

Obviously, in this introduction to rockets, we won't be discussing military rockets, which have a long and rich history. Neither will we be discussing rockets designed for space exploration, which we'll leave to NASA.

But leaving those aside, there is a wide variety of rocketry that folks can and do explore for purely recreational purposes. Such rockets include model rockets, amateur rockets, high-powered rockets, and fireworks rockets. The purpose of this article is to discuss fireworks rockets. However, in order to distinguish fireworks rockets from the other types, we will briefly mention and define each of these.

Everything You Need to Know to Start Making Fireworks Rockets is a post from: Confessions of a Fireworks Man




http://blog.skylighter.com/fireworks/201...ction.html]]> Everything You Need to Know to Start Making Fireworks Rockets

Obviously, in this introduction to rockets, we won't be discussing military rockets, which have a long and rich history. Neither will we be discussing rockets designed for space exploration, which we'll leave to NASA.

But leaving those aside, there is a wide variety of rocketry that folks can and do explore for purely recreational purposes. Such rockets include model rockets, amateur rockets, high-powered rockets, and fireworks rockets. The purpose of this article is to discuss fireworks rockets. However, in order to distinguish fireworks rockets from the other types, we will briefly mention and define each of these.

Everything You Need to Know to Start Making Fireworks Rockets is a post from: Confessions of a Fireworks Man




http://blog.skylighter.com/fireworks/201...ction.html]]> <![CDATA[rss - Charlie’s Secret Green Stars]]> http://www.mortartubes.net/mortar-tubes-forums/Thread-rss-Charlie%E2%80%99s-Secret-Green-Stars--235 Sun, 29 Apr 2012 18:12:11 +0000 http://www.mortartubes.net/mortar-tubes-forums/Thread-rss-Charlie%E2%80%99s-Secret-Green-Stars--235 Charlie’s Secret Green Stars

Charley stored all the fireworks he made in a big chest-type magazine.

Right out in the middle of his backyard.

It was the middle of a nice July afternoon in 1996. And Charlie was in the mood to tell some secrets...

And I was a fireworks newbie itching to find out whatever I could from this old fireworks pro.

Charlie’s Secret Green Stars is a post from: Confessions of a Fireworks Man




http://blog.skylighter.com/fireworks/201...stars.html]]> Charlie’s Secret Green Stars

Charley stored all the fireworks he made in a big chest-type magazine.

Right out in the middle of his backyard.

It was the middle of a nice July afternoon in 1996. And Charlie was in the mood to tell some secrets...

And I was a fireworks newbie itching to find out whatever I could from this old fireworks pro.

Charlie’s Secret Green Stars is a post from: Confessions of a Fireworks Man




http://blog.skylighter.com/fireworks/201...stars.html]]> <![CDATA[rss - The Explosive National Sport of Colombia]]> http://www.mortartubes.net/mortar-tubes-forums/Thread-rss-The-Explosive-National-Sport-of-Colombia--236 Sun, 29 Apr 2012 18:12:11 +0000 http://www.mortartubes.net/mortar-tubes-forums/Thread-rss-The-Explosive-National-Sport-of-Colombia--236 The Explosive National Sport of Colombia

By Harry Gilliam

Okay, I ran across this great game in the Washington Post (August 17, 2001). Click the link for a pdf of the article.

Without going into all the rules and gory details, the game is played by tossing a steel slug 60 feet towards a slanted mud bank in order to hit the center ring (the bull's-eye). One of the ways you make points is by hitting a triangularly-shaped paper packet of so-called "gunpowder." The packets are called "mechas." More on those in a minute.

Who'd a thunk it?

It reminds me of horseshoes, kinda sorta. But mo-bettah, because something actually explodes when you hit it. And of course, as you will see in this video, because it is actually encouraged to play this wonderful sport while drinking

The Explosive National Sport of Colombia is a post from: Confessions of a Fireworks Man




http://blog.skylighter.com/fireworks/201...ombia.html]]> The Explosive National Sport of Colombia

By Harry Gilliam

Okay, I ran across this great game in the Washington Post (August 17, 2001). Click the link for a pdf of the article.

Without going into all the rules and gory details, the game is played by tossing a steel slug 60 feet towards a slanted mud bank in order to hit the center ring (the bull's-eye). One of the ways you make points is by hitting a triangularly-shaped paper packet of so-called "gunpowder." The packets are called "mechas." More on those in a minute.

Who'd a thunk it?

It reminds me of horseshoes, kinda sorta. But mo-bettah, because something actually explodes when you hit it. And of course, as you will see in this video, because it is actually encouraged to play this wonderful sport while drinking

The Explosive National Sport of Colombia is a post from: Confessions of a Fireworks Man




http://blog.skylighter.com/fireworks/201...ombia.html]]> <![CDATA[rss - Making Black Powder Coated Rice Hulls]]> http://www.mortartubes.net/mortar-tubes-forums/Thread-rss-Making-Black-Powder-Coated-Rice-Hulls--233 Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:07:49 +0000 http://www.mortartubes.net/mortar-tubes-forums/Thread-rss-Making-Black-Powder-Coated-Rice-Hulls--233 Making Black Powder Coated Rice Hulls

Making meal or black powder coated rice hulls is one of the cornerstones of shell making. Ned Gorski’s latest project shows you how.

Ned’s ball shells are consistent prize winners in fireworks competitions. Fact is, this article is really a collection of some of his important secrets to building his trademark, spectacularly-beautiful shells.

If you make your BP coated rice hulls well and the same way every time, you’ll be much closer to having reliable aerial shells that burst incredibly well every time.

Making Black Powder Coated Rice Hulls is a post from: Confessions of a Fireworks Man




http://blog.skylighter.com/fireworks/201...hulls.html]]> Making Black Powder Coated Rice Hulls

Making meal or black powder coated rice hulls is one of the cornerstones of shell making. Ned Gorski’s latest project shows you how.

Ned’s ball shells are consistent prize winners in fireworks competitions. Fact is, this article is really a collection of some of his important secrets to building his trademark, spectacularly-beautiful shells.

If you make your BP coated rice hulls well and the same way every time, you’ll be much closer to having reliable aerial shells that burst incredibly well every time.

Making Black Powder Coated Rice Hulls is a post from: Confessions of a Fireworks Man




http://blog.skylighter.com/fireworks/201...hulls.html]]> <![CDATA[rss - The Fallacy of Electric Matches – Do They Really Make Fireworks Safer?]]> http://www.mortartubes.net/mortar-tubes-forums/Thread-rss-The-Fallacy-of-Electric-Matches-%E2%80%93-Do-They-Really-Make-Fireworks-Safer--234 Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:07:49 +0000 http://www.mortartubes.net/mortar-tubes-forums/Thread-rss-The-Fallacy-of-Electric-Matches-%E2%80%93-Do-They-Really-Make-Fireworks-Safer--234 The Fallacy of Electric Matches – Do They Really Make Fireworks Safer?

Recently there has been a spirited discussion on the merits of using electric matches to fire homemade fireworks shells at our club shoots in order to improve safety. I belong to The Crackerjacks, a mid-Atlantic fireworks club. This use of ematches would mark a change from the club’s traditional approach of attaching a length of [...]

The Fallacy of Electric Matches – Do They Really Make Fireworks Safer? is a post from: Confessions of a Fireworks Man




http://blog.skylighter.com/fireworks/201...safer.html]]> The Fallacy of Electric Matches – Do They Really Make Fireworks Safer?

Recently there has been a spirited discussion on the merits of using electric matches to fire homemade fireworks shells at our club shoots in order to improve safety. I belong to The Crackerjacks, a mid-Atlantic fireworks club. This use of ematches would mark a change from the club’s traditional approach of attaching a length of [...]

The Fallacy of Electric Matches – Do They Really Make Fireworks Safer? is a post from: Confessions of a Fireworks Man




http://blog.skylighter.com/fireworks/201...safer.html]]> <![CDATA[rss - Skylighter Podcast #1 – Black Powder Q&A]]> http://www.mortartubes.net/mortar-tubes-forums/Thread-rss-Skylighter-Podcast-1-%E2%80%93-Black-Powder-Q-A Wed, 25 Apr 2012 17:28:48 +0000 http://www.mortartubes.net/mortar-tubes-forums/Thread-rss-Skylighter-Podcast-1-%E2%80%93-Black-Powder-Q-A Skylighter Podcast #1 – Black Powder Q&A

A week ago we asked you for your most “burning” questions about making black powder for fireworks. To be honest, we were completely overwhelmed by the response as we received over 260 comments and questions. We had no idea that so many people were having problems with making black powder. Since BP is the most [...]

Skylighter Podcast #1 – Black Powder Q&A is a post from: Confessions of a Fireworks Man




http://blog.skylighter.com/fireworks/201...art-1.html]]> Skylighter Podcast #1 – Black Powder Q&A

A week ago we asked you for your most “burning” questions about making black powder for fireworks. To be honest, we were completely overwhelmed by the response as we received over 260 comments and questions. We had no idea that so many people were having problems with making black powder. Since BP is the most [...]

Skylighter Podcast #1 – Black Powder Q&A is a post from: Confessions of a Fireworks Man




http://blog.skylighter.com/fireworks/201...art-1.html]]> <![CDATA[rss - What’s your most “burning” question about making black powder?]]> http://www.mortartubes.net/mortar-tubes-forums/Thread-rss-What%E2%80%99s-your-most-%E2%80%9Cburning%E2%80%9D-question-about-making-black-powder--232 Wed, 25 Apr 2012 17:28:48 +0000 http://www.mortartubes.net/mortar-tubes-forums/Thread-rss-What%E2%80%99s-your-most-%E2%80%9Cburning%E2%80%9D-question-about-making-black-powder--232 What’s your most “burning” question about making black powder?

This is the time of the year when all of us start making black powder for our 4th of July projects. And with Skylighter’s incredible deals on potassium nitrate this year, now you can make BP cheaper than ever.

Since we’ve been swamped with questions on making black powder, we figgered it was time to compile the answers into a recording for you.

We’re putting together a “Podcast” with solutions to every black powder problem you may have.

What’s your most “burning” question about making black powder? is a post from: Confessions of a Fireworks Man




http://blog.skylighter.com/fireworks/201...dcast.html]]> What’s your most “burning” question about making black powder?

This is the time of the year when all of us start making black powder for our 4th of July projects. And with Skylighter’s incredible deals on potassium nitrate this year, now you can make BP cheaper than ever.

Since we’ve been swamped with questions on making black powder, we figgered it was time to compile the answers into a recording for you.

We’re putting together a “Podcast” with solutions to every black powder problem you may have.

What’s your most “burning” question about making black powder? is a post from: Confessions of a Fireworks Man




http://blog.skylighter.com/fireworks/201...dcast.html]]> <![CDATA[rss - What’s your most “burning” question about making black powder?]]> http://www.mortartubes.net/mortar-tubes-forums/Thread-rss-What%E2%80%99s-your-most-%E2%80%9Cburning%E2%80%9D-question-about-making-black-powder Wed, 18 Apr 2012 01:05:14 +0000 http://www.mortartubes.net/mortar-tubes-forums/Thread-rss-What%E2%80%99s-your-most-%E2%80%9Cburning%E2%80%9D-question-about-making-black-powder What’s your most “burning” question about making black powder?

This is the time of the year when all of us start making black powder for our 4th of July projects. And with Skylighter’s incredible deals on potassium nitrate this year, now you can make BP cheaper than ever.

Since we’ve been swamped with questions on making black powder, we figgered it was time to compile the answers into a recording for you.

We’re putting together a “Podcast” with solutions to every black powder problem you may have.

What’s your most “burning” question about making black powder? is a post from: Confessions of a Fireworks Man




http://blog.skylighter.com/fireworks/201...dcast.html]]> What’s your most “burning” question about making black powder?

This is the time of the year when all of us start making black powder for our 4th of July projects. And with Skylighter’s incredible deals on potassium nitrate this year, now you can make BP cheaper than ever.

Since we’ve been swamped with questions on making black powder, we figgered it was time to compile the answers into a recording for you.

We’re putting together a “Podcast” with solutions to every black powder problem you may have.

What’s your most “burning” question about making black powder? is a post from: Confessions of a Fireworks Man




http://blog.skylighter.com/fireworks/201...dcast.html]]> <![CDATA[rss - Making Black Powder Coated Rice Hulls]]> http://www.mortartubes.net/mortar-tubes-forums/Thread-rss-Making-Black-Powder-Coated-Rice-Hulls Thu, 01 Mar 2012 18:20:33 +0000 http://www.mortartubes.net/mortar-tubes-forums/Thread-rss-Making-Black-Powder-Coated-Rice-Hulls Making Black Powder Coated Rice Hulls

Making meal or black powder coated rice hulls is one of the cornerstones of shell making. Ned Gorski’s latest project shows you how.

Ned’s ball shells are consistent prize winners in fireworks competitions. Fact is, this article is really a collection of some of his important secrets to building his trademark, spectacularly-beautiful shells.

If you make your BP coated rice hulls well and the same way every time, you’ll be much closer to having reliable aerial shells that burst incredibly well every time.

Making Black Powder Coated Rice Hulls is a post from: Confessions of a Fireworks Man




http://blog.skylighter.com/fireworks/201...hulls.html]]> Making Black Powder Coated Rice Hulls

Making meal or black powder coated rice hulls is one of the cornerstones of shell making. Ned Gorski’s latest project shows you how.

Ned’s ball shells are consistent prize winners in fireworks competitions. Fact is, this article is really a collection of some of his important secrets to building his trademark, spectacularly-beautiful shells.

If you make your BP coated rice hulls well and the same way every time, you’ll be much closer to having reliable aerial shells that burst incredibly well every time.

Making Black Powder Coated Rice Hulls is a post from: Confessions of a Fireworks Man




http://blog.skylighter.com/fireworks/201...hulls.html]]> <![CDATA[rss - The Fallacy of Electric Matches – Do They Really Make Fireworks Safer?]]> http://www.mortartubes.net/mortar-tubes-forums/Thread-rss-The-Fallacy-of-Electric-Matches-%E2%80%93-Do-They-Really-Make-Fireworks-Safer--228 Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:45:00 +0000 http://www.mortartubes.net/mortar-tubes-forums/Thread-rss-The-Fallacy-of-Electric-Matches-%E2%80%93-Do-They-Really-Make-Fireworks-Safer--228 The Fallacy of Electric Matches – Do They Really Make Fireworks Safer?

Recently there has been a spirited discussion on the merits of using electric matches to fire homemade fireworks shells at our club shoots in order to improve safety. I belong to The Crackerjacks, a mid-Atlantic fireworks club. This use of ematches would mark a change from the club’s traditional approach of attaching a length of [...]

The Fallacy of Electric Matches – Do They Really Make Fireworks Safer? is a post from: Confessions of a Fireworks Man




http://blog.skylighter.com/fireworks/201...safer.html]]> The Fallacy of Electric Matches – Do They Really Make Fireworks Safer?

Recently there has been a spirited discussion on the merits of using electric matches to fire homemade fireworks shells at our club shoots in order to improve safety. I belong to The Crackerjacks, a mid-Atlantic fireworks club. This use of ematches would mark a change from the club’s traditional approach of attaching a length of [...]

The Fallacy of Electric Matches – Do They Really Make Fireworks Safer? is a post from: Confessions of a Fireworks Man




http://blog.skylighter.com/fireworks/201...safer.html]]> <![CDATA[rss - The Fallacy of Electric Matches – Do They Really Make Fireworks Safer?]]> http://www.mortartubes.net/mortar-tubes-forums/Thread-rss-The-Fallacy-of-Electric-Matches-%E2%80%93-Do-They-Really-Make-Fireworks-Safer Thu, 16 Feb 2012 23:14:53 +0000 http://www.mortartubes.net/mortar-tubes-forums/Thread-rss-The-Fallacy-of-Electric-Matches-%E2%80%93-Do-They-Really-Make-Fireworks-Safer The Fallacy of Electric Matches – Do They Really Make Fireworks Safer?

Recently there has been a spirited discussion on the merits of using electric matches to fire homemade fireworks shells at our club shoots in order to improve safety. I belong to The Crackerjacks, a mid-Atlantic fireworks club. This use of ematches would mark a change from the club’s traditional approach of attaching a length of [...]

The Fallacy of Electric Matches – Do They Really Make Fireworks Safer? is a post from: Confessions of a Fireworks Man




http://blog.skylighter.com/fireworks/201...safer.html]]> The Fallacy of Electric Matches – Do They Really Make Fireworks Safer?

Recently there has been a spirited discussion on the merits of using electric matches to fire homemade fireworks shells at our club shoots in order to improve safety. I belong to The Crackerjacks, a mid-Atlantic fireworks club. This use of ematches would mark a change from the club’s traditional approach of attaching a length of [...]

The Fallacy of Electric Matches – Do They Really Make Fireworks Safer? is a post from: Confessions of a Fireworks Man




http://blog.skylighter.com/fireworks/201...safer.html]]> <![CDATA[rss feed - Pyro Musings for Thought - Marks Mobile Mill]]> http://www.mortartubes.net/mortar-tubes-forums/Thread-rss-feed-Pyro-Musings-for-Thought-Marks-Mobile-Mill Thu, 16 Feb 2012 04:53:23 +0000 http://www.mortartubes.net/mortar-tubes-forums/Thread-rss-feed-Pyro-Musings-for-Thought-Marks-Mobile-Mill Pyro Musings for Thought - Marks Mobile Mill

I always thought my mills were too bulky and heavy to handle. When I would try to pack the mill into the truck for long trips it was either too high or too wide, let alone too heavy. So, to make it more manageable I came up with a three piece design. My new design makes it easier for me to load and unload into my truck. It also allows me to...


http://www.amateurpyro.com/forums/blog/1...bile-mill/]]> Pyro Musings for Thought - Marks Mobile Mill

I always thought my mills were too bulky and heavy to handle. When I would try to pack the mill into the truck for long trips it was either too high or too wide, let alone too heavy. So, to make it more manageable I came up with a three piece design. My new design makes it easier for me to load and unload into my truck. It also allows me to...


http://www.amateurpyro.com/forums/blog/1...bile-mill/]]> <![CDATA[rss - How to Make a Rainbow of Rubber Stars]]> http://www.mortartubes.net/mortar-tubes-forums/Thread-rss-How-to-Make-a-Rainbow-of-Rubber-Stars--225 Sat, 11 Feb 2012 21:26:50 +0000 http://www.mortartubes.net/mortar-tubes-forums/Thread-rss-How-to-Make-a-Rainbow-of-Rubber-Stars--225 How to Make a Rainbow of Rubber Stars

The "rainbow" of star colors I'll be discussing here builds on the methods detailed in the How to Make Screen-Sliced Brilliant-Red Rubber Stars project to expand your color palette of star choices.


Note: Be sure you learn and are familiar with that new way of making and priming stars before starting on this project!


The screen-sliced rubber stars production method has significant advantages for the small-scale hobbyist:

How to Make a Rainbow of Rubber Stars is a post from: Confessions of a Fireworks Man





http://blog.skylighter.com/fireworks/201...stars.html]]> How to Make a Rainbow of Rubber Stars

The "rainbow" of star colors I'll be discussing here builds on the methods detailed in the How to Make Screen-Sliced Brilliant-Red Rubber Stars project to expand your color palette of star choices.


Note: Be sure you learn and are familiar with that new way of making and priming stars before starting on this project!


The screen-sliced rubber stars production method has significant advantages for the small-scale hobbyist:

How to Make a Rainbow of Rubber Stars is a post from: Confessions of a Fireworks Man





http://blog.skylighter.com/fireworks/201...stars.html]]> <![CDATA[rss - Making 1.75-Inch Bag & Piston Mines]]> http://www.mortartubes.net/mortar-tubes-forums/Thread-rss-Making-1-75-Inch-Bag-Piston-Mines--223 Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:29:31 +0000 http://www.mortartubes.net/mortar-tubes-forums/Thread-rss-Making-1-75-Inch-Bag-Piston-Mines--223 Making 1.75-Inch Bag & Piston Mines

This nifty new project shows you two methods for making mines.



To make this project, you need:

  • The supplies shown in the project below.
  • Black powder, which you can make or buy locally. If you want to make your own, check out the Red Gum Black Powder project.
  • Stars. This particular mine is small, and uses 3/8" stars. The two projects for making Rubber Stars are perfect for these, but any small stars will work.

Making 1.75-Inch Bag & Piston Mines is a post from: Confessions of a Fireworks Man





http://blog.skylighter.com/fireworks/201...mines.html]]> Making 1.75-Inch Bag & Piston Mines

This nifty new project shows you two methods for making mines.



To make this project, you need:

  • The supplies shown in the project below.
  • Black powder, which you can make or buy locally. If you want to make your own, check out the Red Gum Black Powder project.
  • Stars. This particular mine is small, and uses 3/8" stars. The two projects for making Rubber Stars are perfect for these, but any small stars will work.

Making 1.75-Inch Bag & Piston Mines is a post from: Confessions of a Fireworks Man





http://blog.skylighter.com/fireworks/201...mines.html]]> <![CDATA[rss - What ARE you gonna do with all those Rubber Stars you’ll be making? Huh?]]> http://www.mortartubes.net/mortar-tubes-forums/Thread-rss-What-ARE-you-gonna-do-with-all-those-Rubber-Stars-you%E2%80%99ll-be-making-Huh--224 Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:29:31 +0000 http://www.mortartubes.net/mortar-tubes-forums/Thread-rss-What-ARE-you-gonna-do-with-all-those-Rubber-Stars-you%E2%80%99ll-be-making-Huh--224 What ARE you gonna do with all those Rubber Stars you’ll be making? Huh?

If you don't already have specific plans for them, you're gonna love the next fireworks projects from Ned Gorski. They can all use your new Rubber Stars.


For Ned’s next act this week, he's gonna show you how to make two different kindsa mines.

What ARE you gonna do with all those Rubber Stars you’ll be making? Huh? is a post from: Confessions of a Fireworks Man





http://blog.skylighter.com/fireworks/201...g-huh.html]]> What ARE you gonna do with all those Rubber Stars you’ll be making? Huh?

If you don't already have specific plans for them, you're gonna love the next fireworks projects from Ned Gorski. They can all use your new Rubber Stars.


For Ned’s next act this week, he's gonna show you how to make two different kindsa mines.

What ARE you gonna do with all those Rubber Stars you’ll be making? Huh? is a post from: Confessions of a Fireworks Man





http://blog.skylighter.com/fireworks/201...g-huh.html]]> <![CDATA[rss - 4-Ounce Black Powder Rockets]]> http://www.mortartubes.net/mortar-tubes-forums/Thread-rss-4-Ounce-Black-Powder-Rockets--221 Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:33:19 +0000 http://www.mortartubes.net/mortar-tubes-forums/Thread-rss-4-Ounce-Black-Powder-Rockets--221 4-Ounce Black Powder Rockets

"4-ounce" rockets? What does that mean? Well, if you're interested in the history of the term and some further background information on rockets in general, you can find it in the Introduction to Rockets article. But if you're more interested in getting started, let's go!


Specifically, in this project we are going to make a 4-ounce (1/2-inch ID), nozzled, cored, stick-stabilized, black-powder skyrocket with a bag-shell heading.

4-Ounce Black Powder Rockets is a post from: Confessions of a Fireworks Man





http://blog.skylighter.com/fireworks/201...ckets.html]]> 4-Ounce Black Powder Rockets

"4-ounce" rockets? What does that mean? Well, if you're interested in the history of the term and some further background information on rockets in general, you can find it in the Introduction to Rockets article. But if you're more interested in getting started, let's go!


Specifically, in this project we are going to make a 4-ounce (1/2-inch ID), nozzled, cored, stick-stabilized, black-powder skyrocket with a bag-shell heading.

4-Ounce Black Powder Rockets is a post from: Confessions of a Fireworks Man





http://blog.skylighter.com/fireworks/201...ckets.html]]> <![CDATA[rss - New Products Announcement]]> http://www.mortartubes.net/mortar-tubes-forums/Thread-rss-New-Products-Announcement--222 Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:33:19 +0000 http://www.mortartubes.net/mortar-tubes-forums/Thread-rss-New-Products-Announcement--222 New Products Announcement

Realgar & Orpiment



My old pal Bob Winokur has been doing some pyro-sleuthing and came up with a small stash of two pyro chemicals which are largely unobtanium now: Realgar and Orpiment, both arsenic compounds.

He was able to supply us with a little of each. You can order it below.

This has been an interesting process. Both of these chemicals are naturally occurring minerals.

New Products Announcement is a post from: Confessions of a Fireworks Man





http://blog.skylighter.com/fireworks/201...ement.html]]> New Products Announcement

Realgar & Orpiment



My old pal Bob Winokur has been doing some pyro-sleuthing and came up with a small stash of two pyro chemicals which are largely unobtanium now: Realgar and Orpiment, both arsenic compounds.

He was able to supply us with a little of each. You can order it below.

This has been an interesting process. Both of these chemicals are naturally occurring minerals.

New Products Announcement is a post from: Confessions of a Fireworks Man





http://blog.skylighter.com/fireworks/201...ement.html]]>