-- Posted by Joshbdaman on 9:35 pm on April 7, 2002 My uncle has some fireworks (fire crackers, skyrockets, mortors, ect) and I'm getting black and flash powder out of them. I'm gonna guess that hammering (lightly) on the cylender is a very bd idea. I'm hammering on some fire crackers and sky rockets. if this is a bad idea (it is i think) what's a batter, safer way of getting it? -- Posted by IcedMetal on 9:59 pm on April 7, 2002 Try melting the outer part with a blowtorch. -- Posted by chemical rxn on 10:31 pm on April 7, 2002 don't use the blowtorch :-)           but black powder gets unstable as it ages, static electricity can set it off...    as far as the fireworks...      ehh thats no worry i wouldn't think    but as far as mortars....        i wouldn't try it -- Posted by THErAPIST on 11:34 pm on April 7, 2002 step 1: get a sharp knife step 2: cut the bitch appart! i usually either make my black powder or i get it out of firework mortars.then i crush it up to the consistancy of baking flour. to get the flash powder out of the firecrackers just break en in half. its a silver powder. you dont want any other color out of the firecrackers. in bottle rockets its usually a white hard mass thats the propellant. crush that up to like baking flour consistancy and youve got it made. -- Posted by 4N4rKi3 b0mZz3 r k3w on 11:40 pm on April 7, 2002 Yup, use one sharp bitch of a knife. -- Posted by THErAPIST on 11:48 pm on April 7, 2002 i personally dont have to worry muchg about finding a sharp knife. my pocket knife keeps a razor edge. if you ever see a pic of my arms, youl believe me. heh. poor scared up limbs... -- Posted by paladinpress on 8:44 am on April 8, 2002 It is more then likely a wrapped paper casing. I have just made 2 fountains out of some skywhislters form 1987*I can take a pic with my webcam if you want* just take a razor the paper cuts easy.................... Post Script: There was seeds in the Big Rocket I cut open is that normal!?!     http://www.bombshock.com