Fireworks

[Charlie Mike]

What kind of stuff did you blow up on the 4th? I bought approx $100 of the CA legal stuff. Still have a bunch of Piccolo Petes and sparklers left over. The fun stuff were those coffee can sized fountains. I wanted to get the father in law to order some saltpeter so I would have an excuse to make smoke bombs, but that was not in the cards this year.

 

[DaveH]

here's a fun cheapy for ya.

Roll a paper tube from newspaper tape closed one end. Stick a length of visco fuse through the side on the sealed end. Throw in a teaspoon full of medium black powder, put in a cup measure or so worth of cremora non dairy creamer.

Set closed side down, open end up. Gives nice big theatrical fireball.

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usually nowadays the bigger the fireworks the higher the price and the bigger the rip off. There used to be a users guide for legal fireworks that was pretty useful in describing what was available and how good they were.

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I grew up being rationed 1 or 2 firecrackers at a time by my dad, so they had to be used carefully. Susually we used them to initiate dust explosions (like cremora above) but with powdered sulfer or similar.

 

[Bayoublaster]

Nothing this year. Burn ban due to unusually low rainfall. I can't remember the last time we've had one of those.

I'll admit to really thinking about it after seeing the usual "don't play with fireworks" safety video they play on the news every year.

 

[spyderknut]

60 g mortars were the most impressive thing I got this year. Light the fuse at the top of the tube and a few seconds later BOOM. Up about 100 ft then BOOM again. Several different patterns in the box. Some sent sparks nearly back down to the ground again. I was glad it had rained the night before.

My 11 year old was fascinated with firecrackers and whistle-pop bottle rockets. He had a blast. Most of the time I have to remind him but this time I got a spontaneous "Thanks Dad".:thumbup:

 

[proud2deviate]

Tannerite, potassium chlorate & peanut butter (burns really bright.)

Firecrackers nowadays suck. We bought a bunch for my nephew, and they're the wimpiest damn things I've ever seen. *pop* Used to be, a Black Cat would take your thumbnail off if you weren't careful. I got more noise out of the paper bag the crackers came in:grumpy:

Oh, and you can buy saltpeter on ebay fairly cheap. (Lots of other fun chemicals, too!)

 

[Bufford]

We picked up some of the cheap ones at the dollar store and had a blast. 4 packs of those dynamite sticks that shoot 8 flaming balls that bang for only 5 bucks are cheap fun. Of course some enriched plutonium could lead onto, well...... a pretty good blast.

 

[beau5278]

My nieces husband has a pyrotecnics license,he and his BIL,my other nieces husband have been putting on they're own display for about 5yrs now.They invite friends,family and most of the neighbors,have a picnic then a regular fireworks display.They had it a week early this year,he had to do a show someplace on the 4th.:thumbup:

 

[=Voodoo=]

I have purchased some great "packs" from costco and sams club in Alaska.

I know states are different, but fountains and mortars are my favorite.

that and agriculture/dump pyrotechnics...the ones with the big boom and no blast...just dont get ....

 

[T.K.C.]

Fireworks are NOT legal where I live.

 

[Old CW4]

Just my personal opinion but I believe virtually all fireworks are wanton cruelty to animals. In my state, the local idiots 'blast' the skies on the Fourth and on New Year's. I have to go outside on both occasions for an hour or more to calm horses, dogs, and other animals terrified by the the noise and lights in the night sky. I've had livestock cut up badly on fences and even killed on the road when they, in a panic, jumped over or tore through fences. Also, as a combat vet, I detest the bangs, booms, wooshes, and so on! Reminds me too much of bad times when those noises meant injury or death.

 

[nc527]

Have you talked to your locals about how they affect your animals? I love fireworks myself. To be that big bang is the best sound ever.

 

[Psychopomp]

The older I get, the less and less I care about holidays like the fourth of July and New Years Eve. I respect the meaning behind the 4th of July, and I love my country, I just don't feel the need to celebrate it. I can get drunk any day of the week, July 4 is no more or less of a reason than September 26th or April 19th.

Ten years ago I was out there blowing stuff up and getting drunk, but these days, July 4th and December 31st are just boxes on the calander to me.

Also as I get older, I've found that my enjoyment of a holiday increases as the level of good food and good candy increases. And since there's no good candy for the 4th of July and I hate hot dogs with a passion, I just don't care that much.

 

[Old CW4]

Talk to locals? Not likely. Most are drunker than skunks on the two holidays mentioned. I'm a local deputy and we all hate the 4th and New Years because of the fires caused by fireworks, the injuries caused by guns, and the other abominations caused by too much booze. On New Years, the local folks have a tradition of 'killing the old year' and they do that with guns. There are bullets whizzing all over in this area from about 2330 to 0030 on any New Years. BTW, lots of full autos too, hear them rat-tat-tatting all over the place.

 

[SIFU1A]

my son & i were popping off a few back in '98 or so when our subdivision was new and only had 5 or 6 homes finished with folks living in them, a guy came by walking his dog and said "the fireworks bother my dog" i said "if they do why in the world are ya out walking him at 11:50 PM on new yrs eve, thats kinda stupid isnt it"?

some folks have no common sense imho lol.

 

[Charlie Mike]

Also, as a combat vet, I detest the bangs, booms, wooshes, and so on! Reminds me too much of bad times when those noises meant injury or death.

I'm with you on that. I don't have problems when I'm with people setting them off. If it's an unexpected detonation, that's when I jump.