How to Make Fireworks

Step 3: Filling with stars/burst and closing

Arrange the stars around the wall of the hemispheres to the rim. The stars should be sticking a bit over the rim. If the shell is underfilled it will result in a visible area of no stars when the shell is launched.

Next cut two pieces of tissue paper, one of them with a hole to go over the time fuse or spolette. Put the pieces in each hemispheres against the stars and fill tighly with burst charge to the rim. A bit of "booster", such as whistle mix or flash powder is added in the center of each hemisphere and spread loosely in the burst charge with fingers. Not much should be used, maximum 1g.

Quickly snap the two shell hemispheres together. This is not as hard as it sounds like, but if done too slowly, the stars or burst charge might rearrange or fall out, and the previous steps will need to be repeated. If the rim each paper hemisphere touch eachother at this point, the shell is underfilled. However if done correctly there should be a small gap of around 1 cm at equator. Place the shell on the stand time fuse-side down, and use a wooden dowel to gently hit the upper hemisphere on different places. The stars will then arrange inside the shell and hopefully the two hemispheres will reach eachother. Seal up around the equator with masking tape to close the shell temporarily. Also put a piece of masking tape around the end of the time fuse or spolette to protect it from being damaged during the next steps.

Comments

[baseball05]

What happens if i just fill a 3 inch shell with flash powder, and use flash powder as a lift charge?

[ph1lt3ch]

You kill yourself and everyone else around you.

[mojarabm2]

i don't think so! every thing you have to run , probably has a spicial danger. just take care of your math!

[lperkins]

I don't know about flash powder, but flash paper and flash cotton are what is generally used for indoor pyrotechnic displays as they produce less explosive force and little or no smoke. It should be safe, but you should be sure to have something solid to stand behind,and a lack of valuable objects nearby when you're testing it and good fire-suppression.

[seabee890]

the information is helpfullish (deal with the word) however the terminology is a bit alarming. Quickly snapping the 2 halves together. I suggest using a piece of wax paper over 1 half to contain the material while mating the 2 halves. Also we may want to realize the difference in HIT pressure by a grandma or a drummer. If you were hitting a piece of paper you would probably not go through it. I this is not helpfull I am sure somebody will let me know.

[pudi.dk]

The procedure I described is the most commonly used professional manufacture and havn't heard accidents related to this. Paper method you're describing is good for starters or gigantic shells.

[seabee890]

thanks for the feedback. i (obviously) am new to this. I was not sure if the same pressure used to strike a primer in a bullet cartridge was being brought into play here but it seemed to have entertainment value in a George Carlin/ Wiley Coyote way. I am now startingthe process to get my display liscense and i have always been a build it rather than buy it type of person. thanks again.

[Mpntball2012]

Well, all of us have to start somewhere. I am new too so your not alone :)