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How to roll stars for use in fireworks

by easy2remeber on November 2, 2006 Table of Contents License: Attribution Non-commercial Share Alike (by-nc-sa) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Intro: How to roll stars for use in fireworks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . step 1: Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . step 2: Grinding and Mixing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . step 3: Rolling the stars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Advertisements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-roll-stars-for-use-in-fireworks/

License: Attribution Non-commercial Share Alike (by-nc-sa) Intro: How to roll stars for use in fireworks
Make stars to use in homemade fireworks e.g. roman candles, shells etc. Please excuse the fact that there are no photos. PLEASE NOTE - IF THIS IS ILLEGAL, THEN PLEASE REMOVE THIS FROM THIS SITE. I TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY IN ANY INJURIES AND/OR DEATHS INVOLVED WITH MAKING THIS.

step 1: Equipment
Ok, so you want to make stars? Well, first of all, you need equipment. - A sprayer (Sprays a small, fine mist) - Digital scale (Measure chemicals) - Fine strainer (spaghetti strainer) - Lead shots (I recommend 2mm) - Something to roll the lead shots in (I used a chinese wok) - A mortar and pestle Chemicals - 51g Barium Nitrate - 19g Sulfur - 7g Potassium nitrate - 5g Dextrin - 18g Magnalium

step 2: Grinding and Mixing

Basically, grinding an oxidiser and a fuel together is a big no no, because a spark can make it blow up in your face... Grind all the ingredients (But the magalium) SEPERATELY, until a fine powder. Mix the Barium Nitrate and the Pottasium Nitrate together. Use a plastic bag or something wih an easy to open lid. Pour all the ingredients in and mix. When you are happy that the mixture is well mixed, then put the sieve over a piece of paper and pour the mixture into the sieve. Using the pestle, push the mixture through the strainer. The mixture that you now have is used to make a white strobe star (one that glides through the air 'flashing' on and off with a white colour). It should look like a pale green powder that is even. Now to make the stars...

step 3: Rolling the stars

Ok, now this is where you need the wok and spray bottle. Fill up the spray bottle with water. Place about a teaspoon of lead shots in the wok. Start to move the wok so that the lead shots swirl around. once you get a swirling motion going, spray A LITTLE water in the wok with the other hand, so that they are barely wet. Place a bit of the mixture in and swirl so that the mixture is picked up by the barely wet lead shots. this can be perfected over time. keep doing this so that you have a decent size star (the ones pictured are reasonable). That's basically all there is to it, feel free to ask questions if you don't understand something. Later, I will show you how to make a small shell.

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-roll-stars-for-use-in-fireworks/

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Comments
50 comments Add Comment view all 81 comments

Samuri Squid says:

hahaha lol they look like blueberries

Jul 12, 2010. 9:43 AM REPLY

toogers says:
if i stick a fuse in one of these and light it, will it fly up?

Jul 6, 2010. 6:21 PM REPLY

clzfishing says:
I really want to do this but where do u get these ingreaents for the stars?

Jun 19, 2010. 8:16 PM REPLY

bombmaker2 says:
http://www.skylighter.com/

Jun 29, 2010. 11:42 AM REPLY

m5industriesinc says:
instead of rice hulls does just regular rice (like you eat) work?

May 11, 2010. 2:16 PM REPLY

teslafan100 says:
what color are the stares?

Mar 1, 2010. 1:44 PM REPLY

PURPLETIDE says:
Could this step be achieved with some sort of rotary tumbler? Also substitute rice for lead?

Jul 3, 2009. 12:28 PM REPLY

mr.space says:
That's a good idea (the rice), I'm not sure whether it'd have the same effect though.

Oct 21, 2009. 7:31 AM REPLY

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-roll-stars-for-use-in-fireworks/

muffin1 says:

Aug 10, 2009. 8:25 AM REPLY Would a ball mill work? I have one made from a 5 gallon bucket. And wouldn't the leads be like bullets? I think I might stick to cutting.

ultra_super_pyro_boom_man_dude says:
I was about to ask that. Wouldn't launching little lead balls be like firing a gun? Even if it's just gravity pulling it down.

Sep 8, 2009. 8:12 PM REPLY

dude559 says:
You didn't mention the fact that barium nitrate is poisonous...

Mar 13, 2008. 9:16 PM REPLY

mr.space says:
so it sulphur, potassium nitrate and the stuff you clean your sink with :)

Dec 29, 2008. 10:25 AM REPLY

pyrofirelighter says:
nutmeg is poisonus. if it were possible to eat a couple of tons of the stuff, you would die of nutmeg poisoning!

Jul 22, 2009. 9:37 AM REPLY

dude559 says:

Dec 30, 2008. 10:22 AM REPLY Sulphur and potassium nitrate are not poisonous, potassium nitrate is a food preservative, sulfur is used any many skincare products, the only really dangerous forms would be certain compounds. Barium nitrate: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barium_nitrate Any inhalation of the dust from barium nitrate would result in a very painful experience or possibly death, the only remedies being a compounds of Sulfur. When dealing with any composition containing a barium compound a gas mask with a particulate filter should be worn.

mr.space says:

Jan 3, 2009. 6:22 AM REPLY almost EVERYTHING is poisonous... oxygen is poisonous, try eating sulfur and see how you feel in the morning, and KNO3 is used as a preservative because it kills loads of bugs, the use such small amounts it doesn't harm us, but in say a teaspoon full, it might

dude559 says:

Jan 3, 2009. 5:10 PM REPLY Now now, your straying off the main idea of my 2nd comment, I was just explaining the risks of barium, i never suggested anything about mouthfuls of sulfur,kno3,or barium; when did eating sulfur become involved, i said a compound of sulfur(to combat barium poisoning), not sulfur the element. I'm well aware of what you just said about oxygen, irrelevant because the average person isn't exposed to high concentrations.

mr.space says:
lol, i have strayed a bit, barium nitrate is a fair bit worse than others xd

Jan 4, 2009. 1:31 AM REPLY

chanmantheone says:
soooooo whats poisonous again

Aug 10, 2009. 8:04 AM REPLY

mr.space says:
everything... even vitamin c

Aug 25, 2009. 1:54 PM REPLY

BalloonsOnFire says:

May 15, 2009. 4:30 PM REPLY Okay so when do you add the fuel. I see that you mix the oxidizer and then push it through the strainer and then do the whole rolling thing with the shots but when do u add the fuel. And would just plain aluminum powder work? Can you make magalium by crushing up magnesium strip and adding it to aluminum powder?

pyrofirelighter says:
melt the two metals together. dagenius is wrong.

Jul 22, 2009. 9:35 AM REPLY

dagenius says:
No, you would have to somehow molecularly bond them. Mixing will not do the trick.

Jul 8, 2009. 1:24 PM REPLY

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-roll-stars-for-use-in-fireworks/

pyrofirelighter says:
no, magalium is an alloy of aluminium and magnesium. so he just has to melt them together

Jul 22, 2009. 9:34 AM REPLY

dagenius says:
oh...

Aug 2, 2009. 2:14 PM REPLY

pyrofirelighter says:

Apr 12, 2010. 11:06 AM REPLY its k its an easy mistake 2 make. you have to melt them together, becuase of the complex molecular interactions of alloys. using a powder made of the two metals isn't the same But u can still use a powder, it makes good results!

270168 says:
where did you get the Magnalium from?

Jul 2, 2009. 2:43 PM REPLY

PastTheVoid says:
KA-BOOM!

Jun 22, 2009. 5:17 PM REPLY

69mustang says:
do you know how to make a Roman candle too?

May 29, 2009. 3:28 PM REPLY

tudgeanator says:
Check out pyroguide.com There is loads of info on there.

Jun 13, 2009. 2:35 PM REPLY

tudgeanator says:

May 17, 2009. 1:43 PM REPLY Which is better to use-Rolled or pumped? I use pumped at the mo, and would like to give rolling a shot, if it gives better results. I am also worried about launching lead shots 150 ft into the air-is it not a bit dodgy? Or does something happen to them?

BalloonsOnFire says:

May 15, 2009. 9:59 PM REPLY Is there any way you could substitute Barium nitrate for just more potassium nitrate? I am pretty sure Barium nitrate gives off poisonous fumes.

Rs master says:
well i know all i need to know for fire works just wonder if there are any pics

Mar 8, 2009. 11:34 AM REPLY

Twotails says:

Mar 8, 2009. 5:18 AM REPLY Indeed, i made about fifty "safe'n sain" fireworks last summer, and there was no chemicles to be mixed, all it relied on is a cluster of shock-sensitive flashers(like the ones on some bike tires) after attaching seven or some times more, i launched it out of a slingshot cannon ( if i find it i'll wright on how to make it later) and it flashes for a good thirty seconds. its amazing what your build when your bored. i shot it in an empty field, for i freared if it hit someone bad things would happen. safty level-1 (childs play) consrtuctability -3 (moderate)

iloveairsoftstuff says:
you could use amonium nitrate instead of pottasium nitrate right?

Feb 18, 2009. 5:59 AM REPLY

Chicken+Bacon+Cheese says:
yes most things that end in nitrate would work

Mar 8, 2009. 3:28 AM REPLY

pryokid217 says:

Feb 13, 2009. 11:58 AM REPLY Could you change the Barium Nitrate to strontium carbonate or Copper(II) Oxide to change the colour of the star? please help

gimme#Xplosives says:

Oct 18, 2007. 3:20 PM REPLY aryt, eazy2remember, i wuz wundrin, if u kno how 2 make stars thn u'll kno hw 2 make other stuff right? wud u send me steps of all the things u kno how 2 make including ur lead ball star thingy plz. cheerz. e yea itz nae illegal. at least nae in my book!

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-roll-stars-for-use-in-fireworks/

mr.space says:
I know we have a be nice policy but your English is appalling

Dec 29, 2008. 10:27 AM REPLY

carly+ash says:

Apr 29, 2008. 10:13 PM REPLY hey me and ash want to make a "safe" fire work for a science project and we need a bit of help in how we need to go we pretty much need a good easy recipe that is safe and in plain english and explains all those strange words plus we need to make a variable (we doing this assignment on variables and fair tests) without killing our selves and setting the school on fire can any one help us? or how do we contact the site? please!!!! carly and ash -xxx-

ehs2908 says:
There is a formula for a basic star, called TigerTail. If you got the basic fireworks chemicals: Potassium Nitrate Pine Charcoal Sulphur Dextrin YOu are ready to go. Black powder is the most basic of them all. 75% Potassium Nitrate 15% Pine Charcoal 10% Sulphur Ballmill them all together for 3-24h. (Longer time=better quality) The basic star formula is 44% Potassium Nitrate 44% Charcoal 6% Sulphur 6% Dextrin Ballmill for 1-3h, and then you can roll, cut or pump your stars. Wet with standard 25-75 Alcohol and Water mix. Visit Pyroguide.com for more info.

Nov 15, 2008. 7:35 AM REPLY

ret1614 says:

Apr 30, 2008. 11:09 AM REPLY Sorry, but there is no such thing as a safe firework. Even a party popper can seriously injure someone. The only way to have a safe firework is to handle it correctly. If you change your project title, you could use the amount of oxidizer (makes it burn brighter/faster) as a variable.

Tobita says:
But a relatively safe fire work is somewhat achievable.

Jan 27, 2009. 4:05 PM REPLY

flacowww says:

Feb 18, 2008. 4:45 PM REPLY can someone message me on where to get chemicals aside from unitednuclear i need someplace that takes money order and if anyone has recipes for flash paper and thermite etc please msg me uhrecords@gmail.com

thatoneguy900 says:

Aug 20, 2008. 9:08 AM REPLY Skylighter.com Firefox-fx.com Cannonfuse.com Thermite is easily made, but flash paper requires a nitration, not for beginners. Ebay can have SOME good deals, but mostly overpriced by a large amount. I have gotten some high quality KNO3 and KMnO4 from ebay for pretty cheap.

anonomas29 says:
there are recipes for thermite and flash powder on youtube

Aug 12, 2008. 10:28 AM REPLY

hegilliam says:
Try www.skylighter.com for fireworks chemicals.

Apr 21, 2008. 11:13 AM REPLY

ret1614 says:
Heard of everything else, but what's magnalium?

Apr 25, 2008. 12:10 PM REPLY

dude559 says:
Magnalium is an alloy of aluminum and magnesium, usually a 1:1 ratio.

May 24, 2008. 11:30 PM REPLY

ret1614 says:

Apr 30, 2008. 11:11 AM REPLY Possibly find somewhere that sells recycled plastic. It comes in small pellets and can replace the lead shot. Fire is cool, but I don't like the idea of dieing just yet...

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-roll-stars-for-use-in-fireworks/

chemy999 says:
what's a wok?

Feb 25, 2008. 3:55 PM REPLY

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http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-roll-stars-for-use-in-fireworks/