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Pyro supplies

2002-03-17 19:29:11+01 by Dan Lyke 10 comments

Skylighter bills itself as "a supermarket for pyrotechnics professionals and fireworks making", but has lots of ready-made toys, especially under "stage and theatrical special effects".

[ related topics: Dan's Life Pyrotechnics ]

comments in ascending chronological order (reverse):

#Comment made: 2002-03-18 03:30:39+01 by: meuon

Is a slow ASP site, but boy is it full of fun toys. And I learned things like finely ground aluminum (coated with something) is useful in flash powders. but the really good stuff needs to be picked up in person. Can you imagine a fire at this place? Wow!

An Electronic Flash Gun just got on my Christmas Wish List.

#Comment made: 2002-03-18 17:32:59+01 by: Dan Lyke

Remember a few years ago when there were some squabbles over something related to one of those big Tennessee-Alabama area fireworks stores, and the remains of a burnt-out truck was found in one of them the next morning? I kind of imagine it'd be like that.

Yeah, me and the Electronic Flash Gun might have an appointment.

#Comment made: 2002-03-18 17:37:30+01 by: Pete

Aluminum + iron oxide (rust) = thermite

#Comment made: 2002-03-18 18:59:39+01 by: Dan Lyke

And powdering the aluminum fine enough to get a good reaction, but not so fine that it all immediately turns to aluminum oxide, is the hard part about making thermite.

I need to look around and see what getting and keeping a pyro license takes. Like I need more hobbies.

#Comment made: 2002-03-18 19:31:17+01 by: meuon

I would expect thats what the 'coating' on the aluminum is for, to prevent the oxidation, or control the amount of it. If the world was a little less paranoid right now, this could be fun stuff.

#Comment made: 2002-03-19 04:18:30+01 by: Dylan

aluminum + iron oxide + coffee filter + hood of a car = foot-wide hole through the block.

not that I'd know. Nor would I know that a strip of magnesium makes a handy lighter.

No.

I want this pyro license. I want it now.

#Comment made: 2002-03-19 05:35:33+01 by: meuon

You meant through an ENGINE block? WOW!

#Comment made: 2002-03-20 01:21:37+01 by: Dylan

um yes. the engine block. I mean, so I hear. I don't know anything.

#Comment made: 2002-03-20 02:10:51+01 by: Dan Lyke

Note my qualification of "get and keep a pyro license"... It looks like a pyro license in California is a good ol' boy network sort of thing, but in other places it seems like it's a matter of convincing the BATF that you're not carrying vials of nitroglycerin in your trunk or storing C4 in an upstairs apartment.

#Comment made: 2002-03-20 04:55:03+01 by: petej

I worked with a guy who did some factory automation at a fireworks plant, and they didn't allow any electronics within the factory -- all controls were hydraulic, and well-grounded to keep the static down. I guess employees were probably prohibited from wearing courdoroy, too.

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