Uarbor Posted September 3, 2021 Share Posted September 3, 2021 Does that look like a 3lb motor to you when it's in his hand? I'm definitely doing a very scaled-down version with a one pound rocket. I should be able to get three or four Festival Ball size shells up with a 1-pound rocket. Does anyone disagree? This guy's design is over the top. It looks like some of them are fused through the side of the motor. I wonder if those fuses are pressed in the delay comp or just sitting on top. Pressing the fuse seems a bit risky to me. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dagabu Posted September 4, 2021 Share Posted September 4, 2021 Does that look like a 3lb motor to you when it's in his hand? I'm definitely doing a very scaled-down version with a one pound rocket. I should be able to get three or four Festival Ball size shells up with a 1-pound rocket. Does anyone disagree? This guy's design is over the top. It looks like some of them are fused through the side of the motor. I wonder if those fuses are pressed in the delay comp or just sitting on top. Pressing the fuse seems a bit risky to me. Yupper, looks like a #3 motor to me as well and yes, the "fuse" appears to be attached via holes in the motor tube. This is actually not at all uncommon but that many shells on one motor is. It's a little risky to drill into the delay grain but many of us have done so and not lit the fuel off. I use a new bit, 1/8" in diameter and go slow, use a section of fast white fuse and attach the shell. Admittedly, I dont attach shells to the sides of my motors but it looks like it works so why not? I have however, added effects using this method and have also side fused many whistle rockets as well as secondary rockets and tertiary boosters in a few. It is very effective in rocket clusters to side fuse so that the thrust continues without pause. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uarbor Posted September 17, 2021 Author Share Posted September 17, 2021 Here is my first attempt to bad the tree got in the way. https://youtube.com/shorts/ewpDb4P5BDA?feature=share 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guernica Posted September 18, 2021 Share Posted September 18, 2021 That was awesome Uarbor! Great tail and the shells seemed successful despite the tree blocking them. Was that a black powder comp with added metals in the delay section? What kind of charcoal if so? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uarbor Posted September 18, 2021 Author Share Posted September 18, 2021 (edited) That was awesome Uarbor! Great tail and the shells seemed successful despite the tree blocking them. Was that a black powder comp with added metals in the delay section? What kind of charcoal if so? thanks. Yes it's black powder Rocket Fuel with spherical titanium added. Also Mill my propellant and make it hot so I can add 80 mesh charcoal to slow it down. All of the charcoal is Hardwood Which also gives it a pretty decent tail. I wish I could tell you I measured the amount of titanium I put in but I would be lying LOL. It was about a teaspoon added to about a half a pint of delay mix. I'm sure it's more than what would be recommended but it sure was pretty. Edited September 18, 2021 by Uarbor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guernica Posted September 18, 2021 Share Posted September 18, 2021 Outstanding! Thank you for the information, keep up the good work. I'll try to get video of some of my BP rockets up at some point as well, seems like we might be on similar trajectories in our pyro-crafts as far as materials & methods. I've only just started making my own charcoal (western red cedar with the TLUD method), so I'm expecting my next batch to perform quite well indeed. Fingers crossed, anyway... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uarbor Posted September 18, 2021 Author Share Posted September 18, 2021 Outstanding! Thank you for the information, keep up the good work. I'll try to get video of some of my BP rockets up at some point as well, seems like we might be on similar trajectories in our pyro-crafts as far as materials & methods. I've only just started making my own charcoal (western red cedar with the TLUD method), so I'm expecting my next batch to perform quite well indeed. Fingers crossed, anyway... cool, good luck with the charcoal don't overcook it. I'm not sure I'm familiar with your method I use an old cast iron Dutch oven with a quarter inch hole drilled in the lid as my retort. It makes for a nice even Heating . Then I toss it in the fire pit and give it some careful tending. I have been trying all the local wood as well as some Willow I got from my mother's house. I have a huge supply of blue spruce which I am eager to try. Mostly because I have a endless supply and it's already seasoned Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guernica Posted September 20, 2021 Share Posted September 20, 2021 Thanks Uarbor, and I'll be curious to hear the results of your blue spruce as I have an endless supply of sitka spruce I've been wondering about. However, I also have an endless supply of alder and western red cedar, so I'm in pretty good shape as far as trees to select from. So my method, the Top-Lit UpDraft (TLUD, or "biochar" method) is a simple procedure based on the various tutorials here on this site, such as this one: https://www.amateurpyro.com/forums/topic/11608-5-gallon-tlud-charcoal-cooker/ It's nice because you don't need a firepit or other external heat source- the fire is all contained within the device (I use a 1 gallon paint can) and it's super quick & easy. I should get the chance to test some rockets with my new fuel within a week or so, so we'll see what happens. Formerly I was using commercial airfloat from skyrobber, I mean skylighter, so I'm definitely expecting some higher flights and greater lifting capacity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uarbor Posted September 22, 2021 Author Share Posted September 22, 2021 (edited) Thanks Uarbor, and I'll be curious to hear the results of your blue spruce as I have an endless supply of sitka spruce I've been wondering about. However, I also have an endless supply of alder and western red cedar, so I'm in pretty good shape as far as trees to select from. So my method, the Top-Lit UpDraft (TLUD, or "biochar" method) is a simple procedure based on the various tutorials here on this site, such as this one: https://www.amateurpyro.com/forums/topic/11608-5-gallon-tlud-charcoal-cooker/ It's nice because you don't need a firepit or other external heat source- the fire is all contained within the device (I use a 1 gallon paint can) and it's super quick & easy. I should get the chance to test some rockets with my new fuel within a week or so, so we'll see what happens. Formerly I was using commercial airfloat from skyrobber, I mean skylighter, so I'm definitely expecting some higher flights and greater lifting capacity. that does sound like an efficient way of making charcoal. I live out in the sticks so a bonfire and plenty of wood for fuel is always handy. I just use a cast iron dutch oven as my retort. I will report my findings on the spruce. There is zero information on the interwebs about it. Next time I have a bonfire I will find out how good it is https://youtu.be/sp4KQkBxHyc Edited September 22, 2021 by Uarbor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guernica Posted September 22, 2021 Share Posted September 22, 2021 Great little video! It definitely looks like you have a good system going as well. Still no video, but I just got back from testing a few rockets with my new fuel, and man, I couldn't be happier. Hard to say since it was dark, but I wouldn't be surprised if they were in the 400-500 feet above ground range, and leapt out of the tube with spectacular speed & a really crazy hiss. I'm working with Caleb's cohete tooling, so 5/8" inner diameter. I had little headers of tiger tail stars and it was pure joy to see them pop so high in the air. I realize lots of fireworkers want their headers to open a bit lower to really see them well, but I'm chasing the highest flights I can with my tooling, so for me it was a real success. So anyway, thumbs up on the western red cedar charcoal! Can't wait to try alder... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoey Posted September 30, 2021 Share Posted September 30, 2021 Here is my first attempt to bad the tree got in the way. https://youtube.com/shorts/ewpDb4P5BDA?feature=shareWOW! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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