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dagothnonlik
2008-12-05, 01:32
note: i have read the welcoming sticky and its policy and i respect it.

i understand the dangers of such devices but one question.

what are the purpose of making devices?

here teaches you the safety of responsible holding of such items but im not sure why such devices need to be made.but i have a good idea its most likely for fire-works and im pretty sure it is,but i cant be sure.

Fate
2008-12-05, 03:00
1. Amusement.
2. Learning.
3. Utility.

The order may vary depending on the person involved. I know I've been the savior of my mother and her neighbors for coming by and removing stumps and fieldstones for them, the fun and loud way...

Frackle
2008-12-05, 03:04
Some people do it to expand their knowledge in energetic materials and to advance what they know in science.

Some people just like to make it "Go Bang" a little louder than everybody else... there is no one real reason except ones own personal preferences.

My own personal preference when I used to actively follow it as a hobbyist was to find out "what bigger bang" I could make and from there it grew into a healthy respect and a possible career path for myself although I have yet to obtain a blasters ticket.

It also opened my eyes to organic chemistry and from there mycology and herbology as a self taught study.


As for here teaching you to safely hold such an item it is never and will never be safe to do such a thing... mishaps happen... some you learn from others you never walk away from.

As for why they are to be made... It's because every human being is born with free will... if I want to make something I will... If I don't I don't... as simple as that.

Other than that in my personal opinion you're light stepping the question and it would almost seem as if you're looking for an indignation in peoples response as to try to deem the mental state of the people that practice said hobby to insight a verbal slur.

To warn you Totse isn't a garden variety site so if this is for an academic reason please state so so you will receive well thought out answers and ask better questions than one generality unless stated otherwise.

Good day

berumen94
2008-12-05, 03:08
1. Amusement.
2. Learning.
3. Utility.

The order may vary depending on the person involved. I know I've been the savior of my mother and her neighbors for coming by and removing stumps and fieldstones for them, the fun and loud way...

exactly also if you and that "spark" for this its rewarding you learn chemestry far beyond your original understanding you understand why things react with other substances you understand how to construct many usefull tools its rewarding if your put the time, research, and thought into it

dagothnonlik
2008-12-05, 03:21
To warn you Totse isn't a garden variety site so if this is for an academic reason please state so so you will receive well thought out answers and ask better questions than one generality unless stated otherwise.

Good day

understood.alot of people,even me,notice how badly i ask questions.

i know what i want to say but i cant write it.i try to cram as much information as i can in any answer or question that i give to make sure the reciever understands.the bad thing is that i sometimes give tooo much information that sometimes one sentence cancels out the other,but i dont mean it to be.

MH-iforgotmypassword
2008-12-05, 03:38
Why do people still climb everest?

Sentinel
2008-12-05, 06:00
I think this is a question that we all ponder on a fairly regular basis. I was actually driven to "pure pyro" (what you think of when you hear "fireworks") because of global events. I couldn't really justify experimenting with high explosives when terrorists (and soldiers) were killing people with the very same chemicals (in fact, some old-timers may recall how some very good pyro sites were voluntarily shut down by their creators because the pages on HEs were getting abnormally high hits from locations in the middle east). Now, I respect and will help a curious experimentalist seeking information on the synthesis of HEs, but I cannot bring myself to synth anything more than NC these days.

Someone called fireworks the "pyrotechnics of peace," and I think this is an excellent description. Pure pyro is celebratory, festive, and awe-inspiring. The Chinese first used gunpowder devices to scare away evil spirits, celebrate occasions, and to pray for good fortune. Several decades later, of course, they were used for war. But even today, pure pyro remains a peaceful, universal expression of celebration. In that respect, pyrotechnics is like a universal language. Pyrotechnicians can "speak" with stars, reports, and sparkles. What child isn't struck with wonder and joy at a fireworks show?

As for the danger...it is all in how you perceive it. Once you reach your first birthday, the most dangerous thing you'll do until you turn 45 is drive an automobile, and yet most people think nothing of it. I'm more comfortable working with potent oxidizing agents and metal powders than I am driving in a big city. Oh, and if you were curious, at 45, cancer (or "malignant neoplasm") becomes the leading cause of death. So eat your fruits and veggies!

asilentbob
2008-12-05, 08:42
I typed a massive reply... Only to be logged off... then denied when "back" didn't work properly.

So... Condensed.

*Its the awesome, fun, interesting chemistry. Kids these days don't really get reasons to pay attention in class anymore. All the interesting awe-inspiring demos have been removed from the classroom so the kids just attend to get the grade... and don't get any real interest in chemistry... I'm just one of the kids that happened to google things a bit more than most and it lead me on to learning more and more.
*I make awesome grades in chemistry now. Went from slacker to slacker chem student extrordinare... I don't really have to try very hard to get a good grade.
*I'm much more aware as to what chemicals are in many commercial products than most people.
*I Work for 2 different professional pyrotechnic companies now and have worked on atleast 6 shows. Thats getting paid to have a great time. Next show I work on is new years.
*I'm in 2 pyrotechnics clubs, The pyrotechnic guild international, and a local club.
*Hand made and fired up to an 8" spherical shell.
*Learned a great deal about HE chem.
*Learned that the lay-man doesn't REALLY understand chemistry, fireworks, explosives, or the power of google.
*Learned that chemistry teachers don't REALLY understand fireworks or explosives either, they just think they do.
*Got me into growing strange plants, brewing beer/wine/mead, electronics, amateur radio, high temperature stuff like welding, metal casting, lasers, etc...
*Its a fun seasonal part-time career that I can do for many many years to come. I get the best possible seat for the fireworks too.
*Met many really awesome people who share similar interests.
*In terms of danger... pure pyro is still safer than driving so long as you actually know what your doing... with HE chem/pyro you are at a greater risk, BUT appropriate precautions can still be taken to make it relatively safe so long as you REALLLLLLLLY know what your doing... Though it depends to a great extent on what your messing with.

I can't really explain it adequately to someone who isn't where I am now in pyro/chem... Buts I've pretty much reached another plateau of understanding... and I can now see just how more more there is that I don't know.

InspiredByMe
2008-12-07, 17:09
I used to just want to make stuff go "boom". But then I got more intrested in chemistry and started studying it on my own. So next year I am going to take AP, because I am either going to take a class at the community college or get a tutor this summer. I have never taken chemistry in school in my life. I hope to skip out of honors chemistry and go straight to AP. The chemistry courses at my school are lacking a lot though.

reasons:
1. learning
2. adrenaline rush
3. a fun academic subject, that i actually find intresting

nomen.noncognosco
2008-12-14, 12:31
It's the passion, it's the adiction...

nuclearrabbit
2008-12-23, 19:26
It's the passion, it's the adiction...

He who hath smelt the smoke is ne'er again free.
Once black powder is in your blood it's with you forever.

Mokothar
2008-12-23, 23:56
He who hath smelt the smoke is ne'er again free.
Once black powder is in your blood it's with you forever.

This as opposed to exposure to chlorine gas and organic chlorates ...

Toxicwboy
2008-12-24, 00:24
He who hath smelt the smoke is ne'er again free.
Once black powder is in your blood it's with you forever.

I got into it for the learning experience (Started in high school, Chem. E. major in college now), but this is basically what happens. From that first light to that last bang...