Hello, pyros and pyrettes!!! (are there any???)
I have lurked this forum for quite a while, and respect most of you that post here.
You guys have sparked my interest in the fine art of pyrotechnics.
Both explosives and fireworks have always fascinated me, and I'm really eager to learn the secrets behind their manufacture.

I'm a COMPLETE newbie at this, and not very knowledgeable chemistry-wise, so I would really appreciate if someone could point me into the right direction, give me good information that helps me get started.
I have looked through the information thread, but I don't want to fuck up by missing basics (the author may think the person reading it MUST know, like any chemist knows NaOH+ HCl= NaCl), and risk blowing someone up.

I DO realize it's not easy, that it takes time and dedication to learn, and I'm up for the challenge.
I hope I'm still in time to be able to learn all I need to know and more. :)
I won't use my acquired knowledge to harm other people or animals or trees, I just REALLY want to become good at this.

So, to all of you that read this, thank you very much for your attention, and thanks even more if you help me out with this.
Have a nice day!! :D

Wow, your the best noob ever! lol. More seriously, you sound like your very responsible and determined to learn.

The first thing I suggest is that you seriously look into taking a chemistry class. I'm not saying you need to before you start this, but it is a good idea and that's how a lot of us get into this in the first place. I've always been into chemistry and pyro, but it was my high school chemistry class that really accelerated my interest and understanding, so now I'm currently minoring in chem in college and will possible pursue a degree after I finish my current major.

That being said, do what you have been doing, lurking, also read up as much as you can through various websites and chemistry books you can get at the library. Look through the links thread we have here too. The best first project to take on is making black powder, so look into how that's done and you can go from there.

Also, you can talk to any of us older members here for help, advice, or whatever. There used to be a contact list, but I'm not sure where it is atm, and I'm probably not on it anymore because I've been away from pyro for a while and am just coming back into it more seriously.

My screen name here is also my AIM name and it's my email @aol.com

I started by going to the library and reading every book I saw on chemistry front to back. Of course thats a little overkill, but I would suggest going and picking up a COLLEGE LEVEL chem text book.

If thats a little expensive just go to your library and check out a book on valency and bonding if you want to jump straight in.

However if you want to look into some thing more physical chemistry I would look for a book on gas laws.

These are just suggestions and mind you they are from a person with very high regards for learning the absolute boring basics.

Almost forgot, if you don't mind reading on the computer heres a collection of books from one of my favorite sites. http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/viewthread.php?tid=6664

You, should like other have said start by learning the basics of Chemistry, it certainly wouldn't hurt. Besides that just look up simple things to make like Smoke Mixtures, or Black Powder Mixtures. Also it helps if you start a Notebook where you write everything down, Compounds and Notes and such. Just as a referral and to help you remember. Besides that its just dedication. Good Luck

Thanks a lot for the tips, guys!
It seems I'll have to grab those chemistry books and learn that shit right.
Well, starting by making simple things like black powder is a very good idea, too.

The only problem I have with websites, is that, between the serious and good stuff, there is always the blow-your-fingers-off-april's-fool-prank.
You guys can predict the reaction that will occur if you mix certain ingredients?
I don't want to even THINK about how many people got hurt by the so called "science" from the Anarchist Cookbook.

And, iceshrike, the link doesn't work for me at the moment, I will try later.
Reading from the computer is uncomfortable, but if it saves me money and it helps me, and is a good source, it's not like it will stop me!

Well, it may take time until I feel ready (hahaha, sounds stupid) to even make black powder, but I like to understand things and not just copy "tutorials" from books.
If you understand the subject you can improvise, and I bet the best stuff comes from improvisation.
Really, And1129, iceshrike and Silver Cold, you guys are great.
Cheers, I have some books to read!! :)

As long as you show that you have clearly done your research, any of us here will be more than happy to confirm what you have read. I would suggest that you start thinking about making black powder. There are two methods: percipitation or ball mill. You either need to buy or make a good ball mill (it comes in handy for a lot of other chems too) or use the percipitation method. A ball mill is a tumbler device that crushes a substance to a fine powder. You can find instructions for either method with a little searching. ;) Good luck in your exploits, report back when you've decide what you intend on doing.

http://www.mediafire.com/?j2exnpvlgld

you have earned this by saying this
It seems I'll have to grab those chemistry books and learn that shit right.Browne - ART_OF_PYROTECHNY.PDF

CF v1 #1.pdf
CF v1 #2.pdf
CF v1 #3.pdf
CF v2 #1.pdf
CF v2 #2.pdf
CF v2 #3.pdf
CF v3 #1.pdf
CF v3 #2.pdf
CF v3 #3.pdf
CF v4 #1.pdf
CF v4 #2.pdf

Dictionary of Pyrotechnics by G.

Weingart.pdf

ellern_pyrotechnics.pdf

FIREWORKS -- Anderson_Robert_The_making_of_r[1].pdf

Fireworks, The Art, Science and Technique
by Takeo Shimizu.pdf

Petromontano.doc (havent looked at yet)

RSC - The Chemistry Of Fireworks.pdf

its hard learning from books without a teacher so google "chemistry forums" first result is the homework help, read and learn it man cause its pure applied chemistry from basics to the most advanced shit.

Mate, those links are the bomb. *pun* *pun*
Thank you very much!!!!

And thanks everyone for their support and lack of insults, I've tried other places and all I got were mocks and "fuck you n00b".
I really appreciate it.

Now, you may not hear from me for a while, I'm going to really take a dive into those books, and by the time I come back maybe I can be called a real pyro.

I'm not going to be just any pyro, I'm going to be THE BEST pyro.
It may not be true, but it's with the intent to be the best you have to face new challenges. :D

Black powder seems, at first glance, simple, but I'll treat it as if I were making C4. :)
See you!!! :)

I'm not going to be just any pyro, I'm going to be THE BEST pyro.
It may not be true, but it's with the intent to be the best you have to face new challenges. :D


Black powder seems, at first glance, simple, but I'll treat it as if I were making C4. :)
See you!!! :)[/QUOTE]



"You Gotta catch'em All"

3 points for being careful..

I'm not going to be just any pyro, I'm going to be THE BEST pyro.

You got some big shoes to fill man. IMHO no one will ever be better than andyboy was.

You got some big shoes to fill man. IMHO no one will ever be better than andyboy was.
Sorry for the thread derail, but was this andyboy guy from the south of the UK by any chance? I know someone called Andy who seems to fit this description, heh.

I was just skimming through the threads in the Hot Topics list and came across this...sorry again for the off-topic-ness.