Uarbor Posted June 15, 2022 Share Posted June 15, 2022 I have a bunch of Tiger Tail composition that is ball milled. I plan on adding the crackle micro Stars I made and make some comets. I am making one and a half inch comets does anyone think Tiger Tail is too slow of a comp? I don't want this thing making the return trip. I have plenty of mill dust that I could add some course charcoal to and use that instead. I guess my question is which one should I start with? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carbon796 Posted June 15, 2022 Share Posted June 15, 2022 (edited) Not all comets need to be pressed square. Its common to use "puck" comets. As well as comets with cavity's or holes, to fine tune timing and/or effect. I used to press 4" nitrate color comets. That were essentially square. But, had a cavity that negated about a 3rd of the volume. They worked perfectly. My 4" nominal ( 3-1/2" actual ) glitter comets were a little over 2" tall. With a 5/8" bore all the way through them. If you don't want comets round tripping. You need to test them somewhere, and ensure that they don't. Not everyone has the same quality BP. Or, uses the same charcoal, pressing forces, or dwell times. Theres a multitude of minor differences that can effect how a comp behaves from person to person. Try pressing one that is 1-1/2" dia x 1" in height, for testing. You can also blend some of your mill dust. Into your already made TT comp, to speed it up some. If you still have reservations. You can always hit them a little hard out the gun, the first time. Edited June 15, 2022 by Carbon796 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SharkWhisperer Posted June 15, 2022 Share Posted June 15, 2022 For low-altitude minework and comets that won't be used as risers on shells, I appreciate the faster burning C6-leaning mixes vs TT to prevent roundtrips. Especially if using slower burning commercial airfloat or longer burning sparky pine/SYP charcoal. If using a hotter charcoal (sometimes willow, sometimes ERC...) then TT will have sufficient oxidizer but I like sparks. UArbor's milling his TT, which will definitely speed up the burn. I used to do short milling (20-30 min) of charcoal star/comet comps but changed that habit and no longer bother. Like Carbon said, good idea to start smallish (1-2") to see how it works and then modify formulation/comet size & structure from there. And as you already know from working with TT, when a charcoal star/comet thinks it's dry, it's probably still a day or longer (larger ones) away from being truly dry. Even if using a dryer box or dehydrator. That charcoal really likes to hold onto it's water. And careful you don't get large charcoal-based comets too damp when processing--unless pressed super hard they sometimes have a tendency to split when drying and can be prone to driven-in moisture retention. Consider taking some vids of your tests. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carbon796 Posted June 15, 2022 Share Posted June 15, 2022 Charcoal comets are more prone to cracking issues. When excessive pressing forces are used. Or when ejected from the mold in stages. The more charcoal in the comp, the more likely you are to have that issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arthur Posted June 15, 2022 Share Posted June 15, 2022 Tiger Tail is too much like BP to make remote prognosis! Everyone makes different BP and every mix of TT is slightly different. Ultimately tests are needed to determine the exact dimensions of the comet and the exact amount of lift to make the comet rise the distance you want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uarbor Posted June 15, 2022 Author Share Posted June 15, 2022 Thanks guys I Mill my Tiger Tail for 3 hours using commercial air float. I have made crossette tooling for the 1.5 in comets but I'm just going to start out making straight up plugs. I will start with an inch thick. Thanks for all the advice guys. I did press one comment but it was just made from leftover Prime and charcoal star chunks so there is no way to know what the true recipe is. Although it was definitely leaning toward mostly black powder and the various Metals I had been adding through the Tiger Tail Stars. I am looking forward to making one that crackles. Here is a video of the one made from scraps and Prime. https://youtube.com/shorts/uj-RLrEWpOQ?feature=share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arthur Posted June 15, 2022 Share Posted June 15, 2022 Tiger Tail is 45% charcoal but no-one says what charcoal! I'd be looking at a charcoal mix of fine milled fast charcoal and less milled slower sparky charcoal maybe 100mesh milled into fuel and some 50mesh added later as tail sparkles. With the simple charcoal comps the charcoal really matters for form and function. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arthur Posted June 15, 2022 Share Posted June 15, 2022 Have to say that I personally like comets that turn over and burn out just a little down from apogee. Somehow with a lift and a rising tail I wait for the burst, but with the turnover at the top I like the comet effect. YMMV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carbon796 Posted June 16, 2022 Share Posted June 16, 2022 (edited) Tiger Tail is 45% charcoal but no-one says what charcoal! I'd be looking at a charcoal mix of fine milled fast charcoal and less milled slower sparky charcoal maybe 100mesh milled into fuel and some 50mesh added later as tail sparkles. With the simple charcoal comps the charcoal really matters for form and function.Did you refer to Dr. Shimizu actual formula. To see what is specified ? Or just some unreliable internet source, with no oversite. With the charcoal being so important. It seems like you would want to go directly to the source. Rather than just making stuff up. Edited June 16, 2022 by Carbon796 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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