Pull Ignitor

[Dr Boom]

I have been meaning to post this tutorial for some time now but as I worked on the design I saw others using manipulations that made more sense or were quicker to build. However, i'm sure that someone out there may see this and expound further and improve future experiments.

 

First off- you will need:

1. Safety Glasses

2. sturdy cutters

3. wire pliers

4. lengths of string, I used cotton twine

5. Match books

6. super glue, or hot melt glue

7. spoolette or similar tube, 2"x 3/8"

 

http://www.pyrobin.com/files/pull_ignition%20004.jpg

Cotton string and pre cut bottle of match heads.

 

http://www.pyrobin.com/files/pull_ignition%20006.jpg

Super glue and small cut paper tabs.

 

http://www.pyrobin.com/files/pull_ignition%20007.jpg

Striker faces; cut from match books.

 

http://www.pyrobin.com/files/pull_ignition%20010.jpg

Igniter tube dimensions.

 

http://www.pyrobin.com/files/pull_ignition%20013.jpg

Disassemble a match book without tearing the materials.

 

http://www.pyrobin.com/files/pull_ignition%20014.jpg

Section of striker face to cut from match book cover.

 

http://www.pyrobin.com/files/pull_ignition%20015.jpg

Small paper tabs, also cut from match book cover.

 

http://www.pyrobin.com/files/pull_ignition%20017.jpg

Separate match head tips from the paper stems without crushing the mixture.

 

http://www.pyrobin.com/files/pull_ignition%20018.jpg

Make a crease in the cut striker face in a "V" shape, cut a length of string and make a loop by bringing the two ends together as shown.

 

http://www.pyrobin.com/files/pull_ignition%20019.jpg

Place the string on the inside of the "V" and add a drop of glue- pinch the "V" closed.

 

http://www.pyrobin.com/files/pull_ignition%20020.jpg

Run the string along the backside of the striker and draw the string taunt- dab glue on the backside to keep the string in place.

 

http://www.pyrobin.com/files/pull_ignition%20021.jpg

Front and backside of striker shown.

 

http://www.pyrobin.com/files/pull_ignition%20022.jpg

Using a tool, I use a steel 12" BBQ skewer, form the striker into a "U" shape.

 

http://www.pyrobin.com/files/pull_ignition%20023.jpg

Pieces for assembling the igniter.

 

http://www.pyrobin.com/files/pull_ignition%20024.jpg

Bend a small paper tab into a "V" shape- this will act as a plug for both ends of the tube.

 

http://www.pyrobin.com/files/pull_ignition%20025.jpg

Paper tab inserted in one end and dabbed with glue.

 

http://www.pyrobin.com/files/pull_ignition%20027.jpg

Push in the striker and place it to one side on the inside of the tube like shown.

 

http://www.pyrobin.com/files/pull_ignition%20028.jpg

Use your tool as a depth gauge to visualize the space inside the tube that the match tips will occupy.

 

http://www.pyrobin.com/files/pull_ignition%20030.jpg

Drop in a couple match tips and lightly tamp them into place. Use you tool to gauge the depth as you go. Do not over load the tube! When the tips are right even with the end of the striker- stop!

 

http://www.pyrobin.com/files/pull_ignition%20031.jpg

Position your second tab as before to now close the igniter. Note in the picture the orientation of the tab to the string. This allows the striker to withdraw from the tube while holding the match tips stationary. If you place this tab incorrectly, the match tips will pull out with the striker and the igniter will fail to light.

 

http://www.pyrobin.com/files/pull_ignition%20033.jpg

Secure the tab on the string side with a small amount of glue- not so much! You do not want to glue the string! When the igniter is completed it should not make any sound when shook. If you hear the match tips "rattle" inside, that is NOT GOOD. You want them tight so that normal handling will not cause them to move and create friction before you pull the string.

 

http://www.pyrobin.com/files/pull_ignition%20035.jpg

Depending on the application for your pull igniter- you can insert a length of fuse in the end opposite the string. A dab of glue will secure the fuse in place.

 

http://www.pyrobin.com/files/pull_ignition%20037.jpg

The use of these igniters are limited only by the imagination of the pyrotechnist that employs them. I have made nearly a hundred now and have not had a completed igniter fail.

 

I got a bit camera-happy and took too many pictures but the complexity of this igniter is a trade off for its reliability and versatility. Hope you all can have as much fun with this project as I have!

 

PS- Here is a small video edit from some tests I did with the igniter under my vent hood in the lab.

http://www.pyrobin.com/files/ign_test_edit.wmv

Edited August 7, 2009 by Dr Boom

[andyboy]

Now that's just sweet, making me some of them later on in the evening (hopefully).

[PyroMan LTU]

a realy neet idea! I'm gonna try this...

[Ventsi]

A really, really sweet idea!

 

Its a damn shame I just ran out of these tubes before the 4th.

[firetech]

I gotta try this one. Looks pretty cool too. Man, aren't those red tubes just so useful...

[TrueBluePyro]

Hu, nice Tutorial mate and great photos as well, lol.

[vader00x]

I must try this. Tkanks

[shagaKahn]

Seem to be responding to ancient threads lately but I hope Dr Boom's still monitoring this one.

 

Just gotta say straight up: folks who make the effort to post such detailed and delicious tutorials like this deserve the Nobel prize.

 

My only suggestion comes from the experience of the pull-string ignitors I've made in that kit from Firefox: the spoolette's a smidge short.

 

Unlike you Doc, my success rate is not 100% but I did burn myself every time I tried to use one till I finally got a clue and put a leather glove on the hand that's holding the spoolette.

 

Thanx a meg for being so generous to the community,

s

[Algenco]

the good Dr hasn't been on in over a month

 

excellent tut !