Well, I just joined the forum after skimming and reading back through most of the previous posts. I have used commercially available fireworks for the few displays that I have a year. However I thought that it would be interesting to build a few aerial shells of my own. I guess im just looking for a direction to start in, what books are available to me? Are there any web site’s that sell materials to make such pieces? I am aware that this is something that should be respected, that’s why I have come here, I figure everyone has to start somewhere. I just want to make shore that I take my time and do things right and safely.
St1dinoh
March 20th, 2006, 05:20 PM
welcome aboard...
make sure before you get into anything like this dude that you have proper storage and licensing...make sure your state allows it and call your local/state fire marshall and ask him what the laws are and what not.
i know that may sound silly at first but it's the best way to go.
better to have them tell you no, and not get involved if they do, than to start and find out you are breaking the law when a nosy neighbor calls the law on you.
assuming you've done all that there are some good sites out there to learn from.
here's a couple i like and i don't even build shells yet...
http://www.wecreate4u.net/dwilliams/top.html
and www.unitednuclear.com
the first one hasn't been updated in a whiel but this dood is the guru as far as i'm concerned. everything is well documented and easy to understand.
the second is a page that sells chems and equipment but some of the "key" ingredients have been pulled thanks to the A**HOLES at the cpsc. so all you can find anymore there is some great plans to build your own stuff...look under the projects section. they do sell a lot of chems but most of the stuff you really need is getting harder to find.
i'd post more links but wouldn't want to tip off the worthless c*cksuckers at the cpsc incase they happen to be fishing around for links they don't know about yet.
simplepyro
March 20th, 2006, 05:26 PM
Thanks for the quick reply. I'll check out my local laws and see what they have to say. I will also check out the site's, Thanks for the help
phil
March 20th, 2006, 05:35 PM
Welcome!!
RPS
March 20th, 2006, 06:33 PM
Don't waste your money at United Nuclear. They have some fun exotic stuff, but everything is extremely overpriced. There are many better places, such as Skylighter, to get supplies. This isn't the forum for this type of discussion, and aerial shells certainly aren't an appropriate starting place if you've never made anything before. Here is a good starting point:
I'll second the recommendation on the Tom Perigrin book!
As for United Nuclear vs. Skylighter and others, Skylighter is definitely cheaper, but United Nuclear lets you buy in smaller quantities. I buy all my fuse and books from Skylighter, but UN has some goodies that I'll probably be ordering soon, too.
Are you familiar with Passfire, AFN, etc.? They all cater to the hobbyist shell builder, too. Good luck, and welcome aboard!
Don F
March 20th, 2006, 07:19 PM
For online info on building you can not beat Passfire
As for books
lancasters fireworks principles and practice
hart
and many others are carried by Skylighter.com and AFN (american fireworks news)
It is however best if possible to join a local pyro club and find a good mentor .
mixing chemicals is not something to jump into there are too many dangerous combinations.
As was stated proper storage is the biggest legal obstical .
we dont need any headlines about mad bombers ( media just cant believe someone might be making legal fireworks)
Good luck
leeca
March 20th, 2006, 08:00 PM
It is however best if possible to join a local pyro club and find a good mentor .
mixing chemicals is not something to jump into there are too many dangerous combinations.
Amen to that.. I am glad I got into a group of the right people that were already in clubs and had safety instruction themselves and of course I joined a club. A great place to start. You meet a bunch of state of the art people and all the real smart ones love to share what they know!!..;)
Member WPA & APWC
simplepyro
March 21st, 2006, 11:56 AM
Thanks again, I will go ahead and order a book of some kind for a place to start.
harobikes333
March 22nd, 2006, 05:20 PM
Don't waste your money at United Nuclear. They have some fun exotic stuff, but everything is extremely overpriced. There are many better places, such as Skylighter, to get supplies. This isn't the forum for this type of discussion, and aerial shells certainly aren't an appropriate starting place if you've never made anything before. Here is a good starting point:
^ I bought that book last summer and its a great book!:D
Richard
March 24th, 2006, 05:48 PM
Howdy.
Thumper
March 25th, 2006, 03:13 PM
Hi simplepyro.
I share your interest in someday building my own shells. However this is not a task to take lightly and should be done with as much education prior to any actual construction. I have purchased a few books to learn what I can, but I would not attempt anything without the assistance of an experienced pyro.
This is why I am looking into joining a club to get first hand experience from people who are trained and knolwedgeable in this field. This is not something to experiment with on your own because you read about it first.
Not to mention what was already stated about storage, etc...