PlatypusPyro Posted July 9, 2012 Posted July 9, 2012 I've decided that instead of taking stars from consumer fireworks/ using flying fish fuse, i would like to try making my own. I know that tigertail stars of what people usually try first, because they are made from the basic chems, but I would like to know what the other options are for a beginner. I don't have a ball mill, so I was looking at the different star kits on skylighter. Also, I know they are probably not best for a beginner, but I would to to be able to make blue stars at some point.
Zumber Posted July 9, 2012 Posted July 9, 2012 I've decided that instead of taking stars from consumer fireworks/ using flying fish fuse, i would like to try making my own. I know that tigertail stars of what people usually try first, because they are made from the basic chems, but I would like to know what the other options are for a beginner. I don't have a ball mill, so I was looking at the different star kits on skylighter. Also, I know they are probably not best for a beginner, but I would to to be able to make blue stars at some point.
Zumber Posted July 9, 2012 Posted July 9, 2012 spend your time in charcoal based stars.For blue i have replied in kno3 based blue star(is there any formula) in pyrotechnic section.
pyrokid Posted July 9, 2012 Posted July 9, 2012 I've decided that instead of taking stars from consumer fireworks/ using flying fish fuse, i would like to try making my own. I know that tigertail stars of what people usually try first, because they are made from the basic chems, but I would like to know what the other options are for a beginner. I don't have a ball mill, so I was looking at the different star kits on skylighter. Also, I know they are probably not best for a beginner, but I would to to be able to make blue stars at some point. If charcoal stars seem too tame (they can actually be done very well) you could try a glitter star, which in its simplest form is a charcoal streamer with a bit of delay agent and some metal. If you want to try colors, organic carbonate reds are as easy as it gets, in my opinion. With stars, the more you make, the easier it becomes.
alexpyro101 Posted July 10, 2012 Posted July 10, 2012 These are easy to makehttp://www.skylighter.com/how_to_make_fireworks/Red_Rubber-Stars.asp#continue and they look great, they don't look washed out at all. Just make sure u have a coffee grinder or a screen for those coarse chemicals. I would say to use 200-325 mesh mg/al. Also don;t be afraid to try the green, and the citron variation of the formula, I've tried both and they look great. You can cut or "Screen slice" these stars and have them dry in 3-6 hours Also as you said try charcoal stars 1st, but these rubber stars are pretty hard to screw up so don't be afraid ~ALEXPYRO101~
PlatypusPyro Posted July 16, 2012 Author Posted July 16, 2012 These are easy to makehttp://www.skylighte...rs.asp#continue and they look great, they don't look washed out at all. Just make sure u have a coffee grinder or a screen for those coarse chemicals. I would say to use 200-325 mesh mg/al. Also don;t be afraid to try the green, and the citron variation of the formula, I've tried both and they look great. You can cut or "Screen slice" these stars and have them dry in 3-6 hours Also as you said try charcoal stars 1st, but these rubber stars are pretty hard to screw up so don't be afraid ~ALEXPYRO101~ I've heard making stars that use parlon are harder than others that don't, is this true?
dagabu Posted July 16, 2012 Posted July 16, 2012 I've heard making stars that use parlon are harder than others that don't, is this true? Certainly not if you are cutting them. I suggest that you use the system below for cut stars, it is the easiest method of making bright and true stars I know of. -dag
taiwanluthiers Posted July 16, 2012 Posted July 16, 2012 I have read that pumping or rolling stars using parlon as a binder is difficult due to the stringy nature of the material, so those stars are usually cut. I do not use Parlon but I use chlorowax as my chlorine donor and I have noticed a significant difficulty in pumping them. If you use acetone as a solvent, acetone does dissolve acrylic so you WILL ruin your acrylic star plate! Can someone tell me if the blue in the above chart is any good?
Potassiumchlorate Posted July 16, 2012 Posted July 16, 2012 (edited) My experience is that parlon stars are hard to roll, not because of the stringiness but due to the fact that very little composition sticks to the stars, compared to dextrin bound stars. It feels like you have to roll ten times longer with parlon. Pumped parlon stars are easy to make IMHO. They are easier to make when you have lots of metal in them, because this reduces the stringiness. With dextrin it usually is the opposite: high metal content makes the stars hard to consolidate. Whether that blue is good or not is a personal preference. It's similar to Pihko KP Blue #2 but is using copper carbonate instead of copper(II)oxide and is laced with hexamine for a larger flame. Edited July 16, 2012 by Potassiumchlorate
LehighValleyPyro Posted July 17, 2012 Posted July 17, 2012 (edited) "My experience is that parlon stars are hard to roll, not because of the stringiness but due to the fact that very little composition sticks to the stars, compared to dextrin bound stars. It feels like you have to roll ten times longer with parlon." Add 5% dextrin and roll with water Platypus - I've tried the following star making methods. Each seems to have its pros and cons. Cut stars Pros: No specialty equipment needed. Easy to make small batches. Easy to make large batches with just a bread pan. Sharp edges can aid ignition. Cons: Getting consistently-sized stars can be tricky without a star-slicing screen. Even then it's hit-or-miss. Long drying time for water-bound compositions. Can be tricky to get just the right amount of liquid to powder ratio. Edges can crumble sometimes. Messy. Pumped Stars Pros: Easy to get consistently-sized stars. Typically fast-drying due to minimal liquid added. Easy to make small batches. Can be easy to make large batches with the right equipment. Cons: Difficult to make large batches without specialty equipment (star plate). Can be tricky to get just the right amount of liquid in the composition (it almost feels dry even with the correct amount of liquid). Messy. Rolled Stars Pros: Fairly easy to get consistently-sized stars. Typically fast-drying if you don't over-wet. Easy to make small batches. Easy to make large batches with the right equipment (think cement mixer). The only easy way to make color-changing stars that I know of. Not as messy as other methods. I don't seem to waste as much material. Cons: Can be done by hand (with a bucket) but man, it makes the arm sore. Specialty equipment almost a necessity (star roller). No edges like cut stars have, so in theory the hardest star to light, everything else being equal. ---- Each method takes some practice, and I am by no means an expert. Make sure you read this article, written by a real expert: http://www.skylighter.com/fireworks/how-to-make/shell-garnitures.asp Hope this helps. Edited July 17, 2012 by LehighValleyPyro
PlatypusPyro Posted July 17, 2012 Author Posted July 17, 2012 So I was looking at possibly making some cut D1 glitter stars, possibly through the kit on skylighter, and was looking into info on making them. The "tutorial" that skylighter links you to from the D1 glitter kit page is not really helpfull as a beginner making those stars as it talks about making comets of another comp, and I was wonderg where I could find a good tutorial for cut D1 glitter stars.
LehighValleyPyro Posted July 17, 2012 Posted July 17, 2012 Just use the D1 glitter formula and bring it over to this article: http://www.skylighter.com/fireworks/how-to-make/cut-stars.asp
Lance Posted July 19, 2012 Posted July 19, 2012 A word of advice for making glitter stars, not just D1: do not cut them. Roll or pump. Cut stars require much more water then rolled or pumped stars and too much moisture will ruin the glitter effect. You need to be really careful and use a minimal amount of water.
dagabu Posted July 19, 2012 Posted July 19, 2012 A word of advice for making glitter stars, not just D1: do not cut them. Roll or pump. Cut stars require much more water then rolled or pumped stars and too much moisture will ruin the glitter effect. You need to be really careful and use a minimal amount of water. "Negatory Ghost Rider", just use an alcohol/paint thinner dissolvable binder, phenolic binders seem to do a pretty darn good job in glitters. -dag
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