Then I press three 7-gram increments of the strobe fuel with the hollow rammer, and one 4-gram increment of that fuel with the solid rammer, being very careful to not press past the safety-tape line on that rammer. I then consolidate that fuel increment with the press in two steps, by first pressing up to only 1000-psi on the gauge. Using your clean-gloved hand, pour all of the Potassium Perchlorate into the stainless mixing bowl. Other interesting modifications can be made to the delay fuel grain. Once the fuel has been pressed to above the spindle, spherical titanium can be added to the fuel increments that get pressed with the solid drift. The delay fuel is weighed into a paper cup. I add 10% of that fuel's weight in titanium. Then the cup is swirled to mix the components. After the fuel and clay have been pressed in the tube, it's time to remove the motor from the spindle. This is easier if the support is removed from the engine first, which loosens the motor on the spindle just a tad.

Melt the petroleum jelly in a beaker on low heat. Turn the hot plate or stove off. Make sure no sources of heat or sparks are present before proceeding with the next steps. Four, 7-gram increments of the fuel, pressed in this manner with the hollow drift, bring the fuel to just above the spindle, using my fuel and tooling. This can vary a little from batch to batch of the fuel, or with different tooling. I even do the best I can to polish up inside the hole inside the hollow drift ("drift" is another word for "rammer"). This will help release any fuel which gets between that hollow part and the spindle during pressing.

Potassium Perchlorate and Iron Oxide are not soluble in Acetone, Toluene, VM&P Naphtha, Camping Fuel, or Mineral Spirits.

This mixed liquid is then added to the dry powder, and it is completely blended in with gloved hands. The damp composition is then dried over a pot of hot water, as described in the tutorial on making whistle fuel. Once again, the fuel is never brought anywhere in the vicinity of any open flame or source of sparks. Mix the iron oxide with the potassium benzoate and mill this mixture until a very fine powder is obtained. This article is a vehicle for exchanging information in the pyrotechnics craft. Readers are urged to learn and obey all laws and regulations of all federal, state and local jurisdictions and their agencies and representatives. Some information herein may contain incomplete descriptions of fireworks techniques based on the experience of its author(s) in a controlled environment with circumstances and conditions different from a reader’s. Readers must form their own opinion as to the application of this information. This information is considered documentary in nature and no opinion is given as to its suitability or use. No warranties are made either expressed or implied, including but not limited to warranties of the accuracy of the information herein.The hollow drift is used to press the increments of fuel, until the fuel is above the spindle. All the increments are pressed to 7500-psi (pounds per square inch) on the composition. First, if I have any scratches or small imperfections on the spindle, I remove them using a small piece of the sandpaper to smooth the tooling. Sanding in a lengthwise direction on the spindle ensures any remaining scratches run in that direction, rather than in a circumferential pattern, which would make the motor-removal more difficult.

With the support securely fastened around the paper tube, and with the fuse-hole-drilled end of the tube mounted on the spindle, I introduce 7 grams (1/4-ounce) of the whistle fuel, using a funnel.At Let’s Party Fireworks, we’re passionate about providing our customers with the best strobe fireworks in the UK that don’t compromise on quality. You can buy your favourite strobe fireworks online in the UK direct from us and we will deliver them straight to your door as a hassle-free way to organise your event. Using the scale, weigh out the Sodium Salicylate and Iron Oxide into the stainless mixing bowl. Using the scale, weigh out the Potassium Perchlorate into a separate plastic mixing bowl. The joint is then reinforced with some vertical, 3-inch strips of strapping tape, finished off with horizontal bands of the tape around the heading and the motor tube. This really strengthens the connection. Because of the high pressure at which the fuel is pressed in these motors, and the thrust they develop during flight, high-strength paper tubes must be used in their construction.