getnany Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 The Cremora lift charges I have read call for FF. Will F or FFF work?Here is the stupid question: ( of the F'n question)If you mix equal parts of F and FFF, do you get FF? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dagabu Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 The Cremora lift charges I have read call for FF. Will F or FFF work?Here is the stupid question: ( of the F'n question)If you mix equal parts of F and FFF, do you get FF? Yes and no, if you use a *stainless steel bowl in the bottom of the creamora bucket, I have found that 4F can be used to loft the creamora to height without too much over-blow. In the bottom of a flat bucket, I have had the side split 50/50. No, the size of the BP grain determines the speed of the burn so mixing slow with fast (FA plus FFFFA) will still give you a hot burn but will then throw out the FA while still burning.*Wally-World has great ones for $6.00 that fir perfectly. -dag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
getnany Posted July 6, 2011 Author Share Posted July 6, 2011 Thanks , Dag Yes and no, if you use a *stainless steel bowl in the bottom of the creamora bucket, I have found that 4F can be used to loft the creamora to height without too much over-blow. In the bottom of a flat bucket, I have had the side split 50/50. No, the size of the BP grain determines the speed of the burn so mixing slow with fast (FA plus FFFFA) will still give you a hot burn but will then throw out the FA while still burning.*Wally-World has great ones for $6.00 that fir perfectly. -dag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mumbles Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 Getnany, do the instructions you have call for FFg or FFA? They're different grain sizes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dagabu Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 Getnany, do the instructions you have call for FFg or FFA? They're different grain sizes. OOPS! Didn't catch that the first time around. -dag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Algenco Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 Getnany, do the instructions you have call for FFg or FFA? They're different grain sizes. that has always bugged me, FF is the size and should be the same with or without the graphite, but that is not the case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrankRizzo Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 (edited) To extend the life of your buckets and keep your bowls from deforming, fill the bottom with enough sand or dirt to support the bowl in the bottom of the bucket. I just bring a shovel and use what's available on the shoot site. Edited July 6, 2011 by FrankRizzo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dagabu Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 To extend the life of your buckets and keep your bowls from deforming, fill the bottom with enough sand or dirt to support the bowl in the bottom of the bucket. I just bring a shovel and use what's available on the shoot site. Sweet! I hadn't thought of that! Another hint to add to my list. -dag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
getnany Posted July 7, 2011 Author Share Posted July 7, 2011 (edited) 2 FA, here's a link to sky's take on it http://www.skylighter.com/fireworks/how-to-make/cremora-fireballs.asp Edited July 7, 2011 by getnany Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dagabu Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 Yes, that is the first version of flat bottom creamora construction. It is not nearly as efficient without a parabolic curve in the bottom. -dag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
getnany Posted July 7, 2011 Author Share Posted July 7, 2011 Do you drill the bowl for fuse?Yes, that is the first version of flat bottom creamora construction. It is not nearly as efficient without a parabolic curve in the bottom. -dag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dagabu Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 We e-match them right over the rim and tape the match to the bottom of the bowl, instant flame with no delay, useful for times displays. -dag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mumbles Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 Just so I am not totally off base, the bowl is upside down, correct? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrankRizzo Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 Just so I am not totally off base, the bowl is upside down, correct?The opening of the bowl faces upward. It essentially makes the bottom the the bucket curved, so as to direct the lift energy up instead of both up and toward the walls. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dagabu Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 Just so I am not totally off base, the bowl is upside down, correct? Just to chime in here, the parabolic shape of the bowl allows for a LOT less BP to be used (1/2 was tested with good results) along with a smaller report when the mass is launched. Frank hit the nail on the head though. -dag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arthur Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 If you need to tamp or pack a BP or HE charge please select some soft and/or fine matter. Sand, peat, 20-100mesh dust of most types. Using gravel or small stones is asking for one to fly somewhere critical just like a bullet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dagabu Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 If you need to tamp or pack a BP or HE charge please select some soft and/or fine matter. Sand, peat, 20-100mesh dust of most types. Using gravel or small stones is asking for one to fly somewhere critical just like a bullet. WHOA! there Arthur... There is NO HE and very little BP sprinkled about the bottom of a PLASTIC bucket. If there were enough energy to send "bullets" from the packing under a stainless steel bowl, the plastic bucket would have been reduced to tiny sharp bits of debris. This is by far one of the most safe fireworks for its size. Containment is minimal. You have to read the post before you reply my friend. -dag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SolarSeeker Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 So how many grams/ounces of BP does it usually take to make an effective 5 gallon cremora ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mumbles Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 I've usually seen them made with a full pound of BP. However with the bowl and some other tricks, I bet that could be knocked down to 10-12oz maybe? Someone with more experience would probably know better. I like liquid fireballs myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrankRizzo Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 I use 7-8oz of 2FA in a sandwich baggie placed in the bowl. However, I install a standard plastic grocery bag into the bucket like a trash can liner, tape around circumference of the bucket with a wrap of duct tape to keep the bag in place, then load with 8lbs of creamer (or my current favorite, powdered sugar/AF charcoal mix). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dagabu Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 I use 7-8oz of 2FA in a sandwich baggie placed in the bowl. However, I install a standard plastic grocery bag into the bucket like a trash can liner, tape around circumference of the bucket with a wrap of duct tape to keep the bag in place, then load with 8lbs of creamer (or my current favorite, powdered sugar/AF charcoal mix). Same here but I have not used a liner... more thing to try. -dag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrankRizzo Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 Same here but I have not used a liner... more thing to try. -dag It makes for easier cleanup as the residue in the bucket is mostly just BP-based and not a sticky mess. One caveat is that I use quickmatch for ignition. The plastic bag may create static concerns if you're using ematches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrKC Posted July 9, 2011 Share Posted July 9, 2011 What's the ratio on the powdered sugar / AF charcoal mix? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrankRizzo Posted July 9, 2011 Share Posted July 9, 2011 (edited) What's the ratio on the powdered sugar / AF charcoal mix? 7:1 works nicely. My local Sam's club sells 7lb bags of powdered sugar, so I just dump a bag of sugar and 1lb of commercial airfloat into a empty pail, snap on a lid, and roll the bucket around on the lawn a few times to tumble the charcoal in. The sugar by itself is too white/reflective to absorb the infrared from the lift fire, and won't ignite reliably. Edited July 9, 2011 by FrankRizzo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matchless Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 Skylighter also has a very helpful comparison chart for BP size comparison: http://www.skylighter.com/fireworks/making-fireworks-projects/blackpowder-fireworks.asp Many articles and formulas list the "A" Blasting Grade while all that I have are the "G" Sporting Grade Skylighter's chart finally helped me figure it all out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts