My dad and I got a copy of Backyard Ballistics (http://backyard-ballistics.com/) a few years ago, and we constructed a carbide cannon. We have been using Bangsite for the carbide, but the tubes are very small, and it's inconvenient to have them shipped, etc. I want to get a larger quantity of carbide for this New Years, but can't find a good, reliable online store. Any suggestions?

Just get a small acetylene tank, and run the cannon off that. That's what the calcium carbide releases anyway.

I found a UK source in climbing & caving shops, theres an incredibly outdated type of lamp that uses calcium carbide. I never bought any though.

Either that or;
Ethanol > Ethylene > Ethylene Dibromide > Acetylene.

Finding the bromine might be tricky.

Ethanol > Ethylene > Ethylene Dibromide > Acetylene.



Good luck with that :)

There used to be a site but I think it is down now, which you could buy a half pound for $25 or something. It was overpriced but not terrible. The best I have found was a two pound tin for $14 at a military store. So call around. I'll see if I can find that link.

Edit:

Ok I found it, unfortunately they shut down. Just FYI I found they sold it 12.95 for 11oz., so cheaper than i thought.

http://unitednuclear.com/chem.htm

Warweed FTW!!!

Thanks, I forgot about that site.

Chalk, arc furnace, charcoal.

Go for your life.