Electronic Fireworks igniter/Detonators

Shows how some household things can be used to make some handy "detonators" for fireworks.

This is for informational purposes only, I refuse to be held responsible for any accidents or illegal activity as a result of people using this information. By reading this you accept that you will use this information responsibly, and not do anything stupid/illegal with it.

Step 1 Stuff you need

You will need the following:

Some speaker wire (very cheap to buy, you need about 5-8 cm for each detonator)
Some steel wool (The really fine stuff, usually theres some hiding under the kitchen sink, but it has to be the fine stuff, the heavier stuff doesn't work)
Scissors
A wire stripping tool

Comments

[projectguy]

In what store can i buy steel wool?

[Coolerman]

Using a similar idea to ignite the last 10 or so fireworks for a grand finala for a wedding. But would like to have a large display of initials (letters B & M ) that would all ignite & sparkle for several minutes??? Need ideas. I have thought of using the wire sparkalers that you hold in your hand? but they don't burn all at once to highlight the initials. So HELP!! any ideas anyone??

[tudgeanator]

check this:
http://www.pyrouniverse.com/show/fprojects/setpiece.htm

[GordieGii]

I don't think either of these will sparkle for several minutes though. If you got enough sparklers to spell out the letters standing them ON END then they'd burn at least for a couple minutes. The problem would be getting the sparklers to all light at the same time. We all know how EASY it is to light sparklers. Maybe somebody else has an idea about that. Gordie. Do I need the disclaimer? IF YOU USE MY IDEA, YOU DO SO AT YOUR OWN RISK!

[GordieGii]

I just had another idea. you could pound nails part way into a board in the shape of the letters, in pairs. Then you run a pair of wires along the nails soldering them to the nails. (one wire to each of the pair of nails) THEN you put the steel wool on top pressing it onto the nails. You apply power to the wires the pairs of nails the steel wool shorting them and burst into sparks in the shape of the letters growing quickly in size to random shaped blob. Probably want to use an igniter with high current capacity to make sure everything lights at the same time. Just an idea. Do your own experiments. Gordie Do I need the disclaimer? IF YOU USE MY IDEA, YOU DO SO AT YOUR OWN RISK!

[GordieGii]

how about making the characters on a board with glue and pour blackpowder on the glue (like sparkle cards in kindergarden) Then get some big rolls of steel wool from the hardware store. Unroll then into sheets and staple them to the board in front of the blackpowder letters (after the igniter(s) of course) the blackpowder should make a nice letter shaped flash. Then orange letter shaped showers of sparks growing quickly in size to random shaped blob. I've never actually done this, I was just thinking out loud, but if it sounds feasible to you do some experiments an see whether it's acceptable. Gordie Do I need the disclaimer? I HAVE NEVER DONE THIS MYSELF! IF YOU USE MY IDEA, YOU DO SO AT YOUR OWN RISK!

[tudgeanator]

Sweet thnx Wrap the stand of wool around a match to make a really good starter!

[ELITE HAMSTER]

very clever

[emericanskater]

thnx theres finally something simple now