Have you considered using a small(large?) rocket to get it airborne, possibly using some sort of ramp or track? Use a time delay fuse on the mortar and launch it with the proper rocket to get 3-500 feet and win.
Have you considered using a small(large?) rocket to get it airborne, possibly using some sort of ramp or track? Use a time delay fuse on the mortar and launch it with the proper rocket to get 3-500 feet and win.
My question is not meant as an attack, but out of shear curiosity. Is it legal in your state to make your own fireworks? Is it legal in any state?
Given you have access to the stuff to make fireworks, do you also have access to C4 by chance? Get a big thick metal tube and use a SMALL amount of C4 to throw the mortar into the air. C4 is fun, so if you have access to it, it's a good excuse to use it. I don't know if it's actually going to work for what you want to do. Remember, SMALL amount. You're not trying to blow up a building, you just want to send a couple pounds into the air without destroying said object. In fact you'd probably need some kind of sacrificial spacer.
I've always thought of how fun it would be to play with explosives but not exactly something just anyone has access to. There's the obvious safety aspect as well, stand far back, make sure it's in an open field etc...
C4 is NOT a good mortar load unless you're fond of shrapnel up close and personal. Slow burning fuels are much better.
True but it would still be fun to try. When in doubt, C4. :awe:
But yeah black powder would probably be better. Or heck, maybe even air pressure. But I think normal fireworks usually use black powder and the fuse is timed to ignite the mortar itself once it reaches a certain height.
I used to make fireworks all the time. I perfected rockets by using thick tubes and kitty litter. Cut the tube to length then pack a thick layer of kitty litter in the top. Next, pack black powder to fill the tube most of the way up. Then pack a kitty on the black powder and with a small drill bit put a hole through the kitty litter into the black powder. Make sure the hole doesn't go into the black powder or it will explode. It will take some trial and error, but its pretty simple. Make sure you use safety fuse when doing stuff like this.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
I appreciate all the responses guys. It seems like a weather balloon hoisting up the bomb is the best/easiest bet. I'll tether it down so it doesn't fly away, raise it up a good 30ish feet into the air and then light a really long fuse running to the ground.
Also, that video is freaking hilarious!
I would also fill it with hydrogen, given it's easy to make that stuff yourself, as a finale you could have a fuse make it explode. The hydrogen will have more pull than helium too I think. Make sure it's pure hydrogen. If you make it yourself with electrolysis, discard the oxygen. If you put both it could be very hard on the ears as the explosion will be more violent and fast. This is something I would test ahead of time.
I used to make fireworks all the time. I perfected rockets by using thick tubes and kitty litter. Cut the tube to length then pack a thick layer of kitty litter in the top. Next, pack black powder to fill the tube most of the way up. Then pack a kitty on the black powder and with a small drill bit put a hole through the kitty litter into the black powder. Make sure the hole doesn't go into the black powder or it will explode. It will take some trial and error, but its pretty simple. Make sure you use safety fuse when doing stuff like this.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
I'd raise it higher. You want to eliminate being burned by falling embers. You also want to suspend the bomb far enough below the balloon so, it isn't destroyed by an errant spark.
You're just bound and determined to blow yourself or the OP up, aren't you?
If I was in a position to be able to legally play with explosives of course I'd want to blow something up, who wouldn't?