# Official Fuse Thread #

haddo · #1 (**permalink**) 05-03-2007, 01:28 PM

I'm new to all this pyrotechnics and i was thinking can you make a fuse by by soaking rope in kerosene and letting it dry overnight??

headcase · #2 (**permalink**) 05-03-2007, 05:01 PM

No, all the kerosene will evaporate.

jellocaca · #3 (**permalink**) 05-03-2007, 07:04 PM

same thing with soaking it in gas?

Shalshaska · #4 (**permalink**) 05-03-2007, 09:44 PM

Yes, all petroleum based fuels will evaporate within about 30 seconds to a minute of soaking it. In fact, so will most flammable liquids, so that wouldn't work too well. The ACB has a pretty good fuse (although pretty much nothing else).

There is a huge number of potential homemade fuses, made with just some type of oxidizer and fuel mixed in water, which string or something is put into.

Some oxidizers are KClO3, KClO4, KClO3 or KMnO4, and there's no excuse for not being able to get some kind of oxidizer since all of these are available over-the-counter except, save KClO4.

As for fuel, just use sugar. Just stick with a basic 1:1 ratio for the fuse mixture, and mix it with about the 2x the volume of boiling water to dissolve it.

haddo · #5 (**permalink**) 05-04-2007, 07:21 AM

cool thanks for the info ill do that

NuraLorb · #6 (**permalink**) 05-04-2007, 04:06 PM

You realy need to do alot more reading before you attempt anything.

On the other hand Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

pyromainiac420 · #7 (**permalink**) 05-04-2007, 11:18 PM

Use sparklers, they give long delays. JUst make sure that the sparks cant hit your charge prematurly.

Jago · #8 (**permalink**) 05-05-2007, 05:21 AM

i've always used sparklers, worked fine for me.
Like pyro said, take appropriate measures to make sure sparks don't hit the charge. Just take it up propperly. And tape up/dip the base in wax so the metal isn't exposed (if using AP or any other peroxides).

haddo · #9 (**permalink**) 05-06-2007, 08:45 AM

what shops can i get oxidizers from??

Shalshaska · #10 (**permalink**) 05-06-2007, 03:43 PM

Wal-Mart has Spectracide brand Stump Remover which is 98% KNO3, and you can (reputedly) get KClO3 at pet stores as fish bowl oxygenating tablets, though I haven't been to a pet shop yet.

Jago · #11 (**permalink**) 05-07-2007, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haddo

what shops can i get oxidizers from??

Depends on what you are after. There's allot of different oxidizers.

Shalshaska · #12 (**permalink**) 05-08-2007, 01:41 AM

Addition: Potassium Permanganate is also available at some hardware or home stores as iron filter cleaner, but you might not want to mess around with that one yet, since my first time playing around with it and some Al powder, I lost some hair : /
It's one of the more unpredictable oxidizers.

sakaxxx · #13 (**permalink**) 05-11-2007, 12:35 AM

when i did not have a fuse i used to take a piece of toilet paper and saltpeter with sugar
i then mix the saltpeter sugar with water and smear it over the toilet paper
it burns relay slow and is surprisingly good

detonate · #14 (**permalink**) 06-05-2007, 06:52 AM

fer a supper long delay u can use stiks of of incence just rember to cut off the bottom extra stick without the incense on it. and on top of it it smells good

spedboy · #15 (**permalink**) 06-17-2007, 08:43 PM

duct tape and gun powder

blank stare · #16 (**permalink**) 06-18-2007, 05:00 AM

I've used that, spedboy, and I was thoroughly surprised how fast it went. I guess I shouldn't have been. Same way with a straw filled with gunpowder.

headcase · #17 (**permalink**) 08-20-2008, 03:45 PM

Just a post to bring this thread back from the depths.

Gunpowder in a straw isn't reliable enough a fuse for any serious charges. Make a proper fuse. It's this kind of laziness that loses people fingers. The fuse is as crucial a part of your device as the primary explosive.

Also, check this out; Alan Yates' Laboratory - Fuse Making

ArsenalFC · #18 (**permalink**) 08-20-2008, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shalshaska

Yes, all petroleum based fuels will evaporate within about 30 seconds to a minute of soaking it. In fact, so will most flammable liquids, so that wouldn't work too well. The ACB has a pretty good fuse (although pretty much nothing else).

There is a huge number of potential homemade fuses, made with just some type of oxidizer and fuel mixed in water, which string or something is put into.

Some oxidizers are KClO3, KClO4, KClO3 or KMnO4, and there's no excuse for not being able to get some kind of oxidizer since all of these are available over-the-counter except, save KClO4.

As for fuel, just use sugar. Just stick with a basic 1:1 ratio for the fuse mixture, and mix it with about the 2x the volume of boiling water to dissolve it.

Can anyone tell me how reliable, in terms of consistency these fuses are?

Hetfield · #19 (**permalink**) 08-21-2008, 02:25 PM

These are uk based, so i'm sorry if they are no help to you

I find that if you can powder it fine enough, potassium chlorate works quite well for me, you can buy it in aquarium shops as "Supa fish" tank oxygenating tablets. when powdered and mixed with sugar (I use icing sugar for speed of reaction, at a ratio of 1/1) they burn very violently with a blue/white flame

Also, another commonly available oxidiser is Sodium Chlorate, which, in the UK at least, is available over the counter in most places as a none selective weedkiller. (Check your local Outdoor Market.) The only problem with sodium chlorate though is the presence of a fire depressant. It doesn't make Much difference but you would be much better off with Potassium Chlorate I Belive as the supafish tablets are i belive 98% pure (the rest is probably just binding agent to make it stay as a tblet once pressed).

Hope this helped, and let me remind you not to walk until you can run.

-Hetfield

fenderbender48 · #20 (**permalink**) 08-21-2008, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hetfield

Hope this helped, and let me remind you not to walk until you can run.

-Hetfield

You mean don't run before you walk... need some coffee?

One reliable fuze is a magnesium strip. You can buy it online and maybe other places I don't know. United Nuclear sells it by the roll for $7.50. What's nice is you don't have to worry about it corroding, and you have to be very deliberate about lighting it. I don't recommend using an ordinary lighter on a windy day, as it would be nearly impossible to light it. If you have a propane torch, that's a different story...

General Grim · #21 (**permalink**) 08-21-2008, 09:45 PM

Quote:

One reliable fuze is a magnesium strip. You can buy it online and maybe other places I don't know. United Nuclear sells it by the roll for $7.50. What's nice is you don't have to worry about it corroding, and you have to be very deliberate about lighting it. I don't recommend using an ordinary lighter on a windy day, as it would be nearly impossible to light it. If you have a propane torch, that's a different story...

Magnesium not only corrodes (if kept out of oil) but it requires a source of oxygen to burn. It will not burn through tight holes.

Want fuse? Stick with black match or Visco.