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This article is a continuation of Boe Yeager's "tape fuse" project - it will show you how to make quick match, as well as show some of Boe's own test results. By carrying out the instructions on this page, you are agreeing to all of the terms outlined in the disclaimer.
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MATERIALS - length
of tape fuse OPTIONAL MATERIALS - Latex
gloves for mess avoidance/clean up |
Procedure
| Put on the latex gloves and cut 3-4 inch wide strips of kraft paper the entire length of the kraft paper (unroll the kraft paper as you would to cut the paper for wrapping a box). Using the wooden dowel rod, wrap the paper strips around the dowel rode. Use the masking tape to tape the pipe close – running the tape down the entire length of the quick match pipe. Note, the pipe doesn’t have to be the exact size of the dowel rod, in fact a little bit bitter makes the tape fuse go in a little bit easier. After making up several pipes (usually about 3 ft long each), your ready to load the tape fuse into the pipe. Tape (or leave a piece of tape untouched with BP) the end of your tape fuse to the wooden dowel used to make the quick match pipe. Slide the quick match pipe over the dowel rod and over the tape fuse, using the dowel rod to pull the tape fuse through the pipe. Repeat this process until either your quick match pipes are used up or you’ve ran out of tape fuse. Cut (with a pocket or sharp knife – not scissors or anything that sheers) or remove the tape off the dowel rod, tape the quick match pipes together with masking tape and you’re done! Here’s a picture of using the dowel rod – pulling the sticky match through the quick match pipes. |
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RESULTS
(click thumbnails to
enlarge)
| We created three sets of approximately 8ft sections of quick match using the technique described above. We tried to time it – but it was way to fast for us to do so. Here’s the first test setup. |
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| Here’s Danny setting it off and trying to time it (note you can see it burn in the distance). |  |
| Here’s the second batch of quick match firing (or fired). |
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| In the third test, we were afraid that the quick match was burning to fast to ignite visco fuse, so we used whistling chasers attached to the quick match pipe to test our third and final batch of quick match. |
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| Here’s a
picture of our last test setup.
Since it was dark, we were not able to take pictures of
it firing. There
was a noticeable delay between the quick match firing and the
time the whistlers fired off.
Actually the first whistler didn’t fire – but the
visco fuse did catch fire.
So we considered it a successful test and dispelled our
fears about the quick match burning too fast. |
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| Here’s the type of residue we experienced with the quick match in all three tests. |
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COMMENTS
Use the dowel rod to help feed
the sticky match through the quick match pipes – really decreases
the manufacture time! Also,
we experienced a loud deep popping sound as the quick match fired. It was short in duration but may be considered loud enough to
create a cause for concern. It
would be worth testing prior to using at a public display. Also note the picture of the types of residue.
We experienced this in all three test shots.
Something else we noticed while testing, if you don’t secure
your quick match pipe –it tends to snake or go a little bit wild!
We thought it was neat, hence the 3 tests!
Storage, since Quick match is
classified by NFPA and the ATF as 1.3g, I would recommend following
ATF guidelines on 1.3 storage and use a certified Low Explosives
magazine. Quick match
can be folded and bent without much loss in BP.
Store in a cool, dry place free of open flame.
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Pyro Universe and all of its contents are © 2001-2006 by Colin Bradley and may not be reproduced in any form without the permission of the author. If you use information from Pyro Universe in a school report or project, you must include proper bibliographic citation. By using the information on this page, you agree to the terms of the disclaimer. |