I would like to seriously consider a hobby in pyrotechnics. I have a job and no bills, and a desire to learn. I've done smoke with KNO3 and sugar, and have played with enough flash and black powder to learn my lessons. What would be a good next step?

Logical and serious answers would really be appreciated.

Basic nitrations Nitrocellulose maybe a small small AP synth

I found nitrocellulose and nitrostarch give you a good feel for doing nitration’s and AP however controversial it can be here is good to get a feel for handling HE. Also APAN with an AP cap just to get the basic idea of a train.

Still do some nitrations first I found it a really good way to learn the basics.

Oh and plenty of research!

Some shells, rockets, fountains.

Shame on you two for sending him straight to HEs.

Depends what he wants to do, I assumed he wanted to go on the HE.

It depends on your tastes really, I personally prefer LE to HE but im experimenting with HE at the moment to get a feel for handling explosives and the chemistry.

Maybe if the OP told us what he was interestd in doing next?

But you are right some stars and rockets would be my personal choice for the next step.

This is where you branch for your next project really, its either Rockets, shells, roman candles, starmines (pure pyro) or High Explosives.

Depending on the chemicals that you can acquire I would say either a small Organic peroxide synth or a secondary nitration (e.g. like nitrocellulose that has already been suggested)

It's up to you, at the moment I am concentrating on:

HMTD very fun, probably just because I'm actually managing to synth something

1/2" Rockets also very fun, but more so firing them than making them IMO

Shells yet again fun, but its a bugger carrying around the tube and the lift powder and then setting them all up

[This message has been edited by Von Bass (edited 03-06-2007).]

Have any of you guys noticed its a hell of a lot easier to get chems for HE than it is LE OTC?! I managed to fulfil an 8 item long shopping list in town yesterday (Paid in cash and no suspicious purchases of course!)

I did a few basic nitration’s before I attempted any organic peroxides and I think that helps a lot, it’s the patients and accuracy that helps you learn I think.

Yesterday I made some intrastate for the hell of it and some HTMD. I was really surprised at the ease of synthesis and yield of HTMD compared to AP.

But yeah as been said try a few nitration’s its fun, interesting and gives you a good feel for some of the basics.

God Im repeating myself now, Im pretty bored!

Thanks for the input so far.

I defanently will try some nitrations, and maybe some shells. As for rocketry, not my thing. Research I will continue

Get a copy of The Chemistry of Powder and Explosives. COPAE. That can help you decide on what you are interested in, then go from there.