Explosives 101

[Gaze]

Heyy guys im really new to the whole scene of minor and major explosives and its a skill im hoping to develop, and you people probably get this ALOT but would one of you mind giving me a 101 on explosives, like everything you think a begginer should know from safety right down to any chemicals or pieces of equipment you believe i should get (bare in mind that im pnly 15 and dont have access to everything)

It would be very much appriciated

cheers

-Gaze

[pyromainiac420]

me many other members and all the moderators will certainly help you. But the question you are asking is WAAAYYY too broad. The world of explosives is HUGE so you have to do a little research find out what you think you might be able to make, ask us what explosives you thick would be good for a beginner (id say try AP or NC). So just try to give us easyier questions to ask. And dont feel like im giving you shit or anything many people have asked almost the same question. :P

[Shalshaska]

To start, you should get some basic chemicals like KNO3, 30% H2O2, acetone, HCl, HNO3, H2SO4, Fe2O3 and maybe some AN.

[Jago]

In regards to safety:
ALWAYS wear gloves and eye protection and a mask, maybe ven an apron. I can't stress the importance of safety gear. After having worked with chemicals before, and in one instance not getting any safety gear (even after numerous requests, i finally left there though), i can say it isn't worth your health or the hasstle just to save some time or to not look like a complete dork. The skin on my hands peeled around once a week, they became very sensitive to pain etc and it was always uncomfortable. There were some respiratory problems for a little while to top it all off. I was using caustic degreasers and acids. Wear the safeties, it's not worth risking your health and life.
NEVER breathe in ANY vapours, unless you are cooking dinner or something
ALWAYS handle all chemicals with care, and be sure to check the MSDS on the chemicals.
Read the MSDS and learn how to contain spillages appropriately and have appropriate emergency equipment on stand by (fire extinguishers, spill kits, first aid kits etc).
Read the MSDS and learn how to treat contacts with the chemicals (there's allot of different ways, so im not going to go through every single one), but obviously remove contaminated clothing where possible etc.
NEVER take any shortcuts, easy ways out etc.
ALWAYS be 100% sure the information you are using is correct.
ALWAYS be well informed about the chemicals you are using, and the product you are making, how to deal with, handle and dispose of each.
ALWAYS make sure the area is clear of bystanders and everyone is standing at a safe distance from the charge and maybe even behind some cover.
ALWAYS chose the appropriate casing. Shrapnel is something you don't want, therefor try and avoid metal casings, unless you are making a shaped charge, but that's a fair whack more advanced than the level that you are at now. Best casings to use are paper and cardboard, plastic too, but that can still throw shrapnel (although not AS dangerous as metal, it can still cause harm), all shrapnel is bad.
Educate yourself on all aspects of the explosive you are making, including the chemicals involved (i've covered that before, but i can't stress the importance of knowing what you are dealing with and how to deal with it).
The more risks you minimize, the better off you will be.

EDUCATION EDUCATION EDUCATION

As for explosive synthesis, education, equipment etc, use megalomania. It's correct, informative, technical, but also breaks it down in other sections (the technical bits by informing you of what the lab equipment is etc).
It should have most of the info you need, and can point you in the right directions with links and keywords. It has safety section, equipment section, techniques, synthesis, links. It isn't 100% finished though, but there is enough there for you, and if you need info, like i said, it gives you a keyword you can look for, maybe on google or something.
Anyway, check that site out, check out the links.
Go forth and learn, and hopefully you will come back knowing more than i do (no i'm not saying i am overly knowledgable, a god, a whizz in the subject. Nor do i think i know everything) :P

Also feel free to contribute to this thread if you have any other useful information, hints, suggestions etc.

[pyromainiac420]

were can gas masks or whatever be found...will a painters mask work?

[Shalshaska]

The gun/ militaria shop in my town has gas masks and hardware stores' masks will probably work well enough. If you're dealing with airborne particles, even those little painting filters would work, but if you have problems with vapors, a gas mask with a respirator is the way to go.

[Jago]

Industrial suppliers/safety equipment suppliers. I know that BOC Gasses sells them, a "catalogue" can be found here
They sell the "paper" face mask/respirators(you know the kind), half face respirators, full face gas masks/respiration systems etc, for all different kinds of applications too(be sure to check the specs). I can vouch for BOC's equipment and the brands they sell, as I have used BOC's own gear and the other gear they sell, it's not cheap, low quality crap.
Check their main website for ordering info, just google BOC Gasses. They are a world wide company too, so you shouldn't have problems getting gear. Use the part number from that catalogue, go to the online shop and follow it through, or call one of their numbers on the main site.
Be sure to select the right kind of gear for the application You want to make sure you have appropriate protection, it's really an area you can't afford to slack off in, especially when you deal with some of the shit used in making explosives (acid fumes do REALLY nasty things :wink: ).

They cover everything from dust, to acid fumes/vapours, to other nasty shit. Like i said, be sure to check the specs.

[YoungHypnotiq]

im going to try and make AP soon.

Edit: once I make AP what do I do with it? how do I detonate it etc. etc.

[nzmilitia]

what would you like to do with it?
if you dont know wat to do with it i suggest you do some more reading about
explosives as you could easily end up with missing hands or fingers
playing with somthing you dont know how to use.

[Jago]

use an appropriate casing, insert your fuse, tape it up (so a spark or what ever doesn't ignite your AP prematurely), light it, and run?

[pyromainiac420]

How do you detonate AP? Lmfao with a spark or flame would be an interesting idea. In all seriosness listen to jago you really should make sure sparks dont hit it prematurly its more of a problem than you would think.

[ATSACIN]

I have some questions, what type of gloves are good (resist) for acids? I have a pair of latex, is enough?, about the sensitive explosives (like AP) it is safe compress it inside a container like a CO2 cartridge? I buy sulfuric acid and it say something about 98% of concentration, it comes in plastic bottle, it isn't to strong?, I can buy nitric acid (33%), it is not to concentrate, but if it is in water I can double?
Thanks

[headcase]

Try dipping the gloves in acid and see what happens.

It's not safe to cpmpress AP in a CO2 cartridge because AP is an organic peroxide, which is sensitive around metal. Best use a plastic container, compress it while it's wet and don't be too rough.

98% sulphuric acid isn't too strong in itself, but the high concentration might raise the temperature of your mixture too much. High temperature can mean impure product. TATP, a more sensitive and less powerful explosive can result in an AP mix that gets too hot. I'd dilute it.

What ae you doing that needs more then 33% nitric acid?

[ATSACIN]

I did not make AP, but I will try. I am collectin information first.

Originally Posted by headcase

What ae you doing that needs more then 33% nitric acid?

33% is concentrated?

[headcase]

Fairly concentrated, yes. To the best of my knowledge, nothing should require more then 33%, but then again I could be completely wrong. Did you have any use in mind for the nirtic acid?

[ATSACIN]

Originally Posted by headcase

Fairly concentrated, yes. To the best of my knowledge, nothing should require more then 33%, but then again I could be completely wrong. Did you have any use in mind for the nirtic acid?

And 60%? well I don't know what to make, but I will save it.
We talk more tomorow.
Thanks.

[Shalshaska]

Don't most nitrations require at least about >95%, or then you would have to use more sulfuric to dehydrate the reaction.

[pyromainiac420]

I'm sure you could go less than 95%, almost positive. But I find high conc. better yeild. Although higher conc. = more exothermic reaction.

[ATSACIN]

Originally Posted by pyromainiac420

. Although higher conc. = more exothermic reaction.

...And more sensitive, so more dangerous, right?

[headcase]

That kind of depends on what you're making. That's the way it is with AP. It is generally a bad thing though.

[Shalshaska]

As long as you keep the reaction slow and in an ice bath you would be good. Runaways seem to only occur when people notice the lack of heat produced, so they figure it'd be okay to just squirt it all in at once.

[ATSACIN]

Thanks, I will be carefull with the temperature and place quantities slowly.

[godifer]

ammonium nitrate: can be brought from supermarket in instant ice packs
and also brought from farming stores as a fertiliser which is used to grow advocados.

potassium nitrate: can be brought as stump rotter,stump remover or from fertilizer shop

Potassium chlorate: can be brought from pet stores in a tablet form used to oxidise the water in fish tanks
75% nitric acid: the only place where i can buy this over counter is from good hydroponics shops,its used to increase nitrogen in plants

potassium permanganate: this can be brought from most garden shops used to treat water for alge

6% hydrogen peroxide: can be brought from chemist to treat wounds n shit

30% hydrogen peroxide: can be brought from hydroponics stores to treat water
this should help to get you started with explosives

sulfuric acid: automotive suppliers, used as battery acid (no brainer there)

Hydrochloric acid: hardware stores, also known as muriatic acid etc

Acetone: Hardware stores, paint shops. Used as a thinner.

Hydrogen peroxide can also be bought from hairdressing suppliers, used as hair bleach (be careful as you can get cream peroxide too, you don't want that).

Toluene (sp?): hardware stores (you seriously don't need to give them a reason for buying stuff if it's at a hardware store etc)

Glycerine: Supermarkets (i think, i've seen it there before, in the ugh, medical bit, with the bandages etc).

Methyl Ethyl Ketone (used to make MEKP/Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide, liquid peroxide explosive): Plumbing suppliers, used as a pipe sealant/joiner. Also hardware stores.

Nitromethane: Hobby shops (so i've heard), use as RC car fuel (so i've heard).


ye i got this stuff from many places but its acurate and helps if ya tryin to find things...i have had to look at it a few times this summer for me is going to be great...im 16 i live in oregon this place sucks pretty bad so i make it a lil better wit some bombs..mhm...be safe....and dont kill anyone..for me its hard not to kill anyone wit da stuff i make....

[TuRps_NZ]

from many places?? you mean another thread from bombshock. nice copy and pasting there.... dont refer to them as "bombs" call them explosives, as it has been said many times a bomb is made to harm people, we make explosives.

[Shalshaska]

I just wanted to clarify for everybody that Supa Fish Oxygenating Fish Bowl Tablets are available in the UK only, as I have looked at Petco, Petsmart and all the pet stores in my area. Google searches come up with websites ending in "co.uk", so for my fellow U.S. citizens, don't even bother, unless you got a pal in the UK willing to ship, and if so, hook me up

[Ejamucated]

Let's get back to the subject of the thread, Explosives 101.

Only one thing needs mention in this thread. That thing is knowledge.

-Knowledge of Safety (sensitivity, incompatibilities, laboratory safety, etc)
-Knowledge of Laws and Regulations (yes, you might get busted)
-Knowledge of Chemistry (general chemistry, organic chemistry, procedure details, etc)
-Knowledge of Explosive Devices (e.g., firing trains, detonators, etc)

One thing that hasn't made made clear yet is the amount of reading and learning required in the hobby of explosives and pyrotechnics. Most people think that they can come to a board or a website, find a recipe for whatever they want to make, purchase ingredients at the hardware store, and start cooking. Unfortunately, that mode of thought is neither safe nor successful. Extensive learning is first required.

Consider forums such as this one (and even more advanced boards) as springboards. Another member of the community can give you and idea or even come up with a synthesis (either on his own or a copy/paste). Realize that even experienced authors (for instance, Ledgard) make mistakes or often write procedures based entirely on theory. These boards can only point you in a certain direction. It's up to you to follow up and make sure what you are doing is safe and know enough about the procedure to troubleshoot any problems that arise.

Where do can you find information if not here at the boards? Where do you think the authors of the crapbooks found their information? They found their information from 'other books.' Those other books found information from books before them and patents. Look for old books like The Chemistry of Powder and Explosives to learn more about Explosives 101.

[Matze]

there exists a book titled "The Chemistry And Technology Of Explosives" by T. Urbanski. I really don't know where you can obtain it on the internet, but I'm sure you find it on LimeWire or similar sharing... may be, it isn't a suitable offer for everybody, but it contains very excellent chemical knowledge.

[Ejamucated]

I upped Urbanski to rapidshare not too long ago. The links aren't dead yet. Check the rapidshare links thread at RS.

[Destruktion]

I think Potassium Permanganate is also used in pool filters to cleanse the iron from water. The PP reacts with iron, and the resulting chemical is then able to precipitate out of the water, or something like that.

Of course, it could be an out-of-date method.

[Shalshaska]

No, it's still in use for that reason. In fact, it's actually labeled "Potassium Permanganate." No brand names or anything. In the U.S. at least :P

Though, I can't say I've seen it in your average hardware store though... maybe a pool shop.