M500's

M500's

by Phil Rudd

Ok, first you need the chemicals, you can get them from a chemical supply house.

sulphur (yellow powdered)

powdered aluminum- alcoa#422 (400 mesh or higher)

potassium chlorate- chunky

The Tubes (Cardboard, and appropriate size for m-80's or m-100's or whatever size you want.)

And you need sometning to plug the ends. (Like hot glue or Bondo)

Fuse. (obtainable from hobby shop. Rocket Fuse)

To start, Plug one end of the tube with hot glue or bondo. Put 2 or 3 small cotton balls in the end or 1 large one. This will hole the glue or bondo in place, and absorb any moisture while in the tude. When the end of the tube you sealed is dry, Poke a hole in the middle of the tube that is just big enough to push the wick in. Ok, now cut a piece of wick to put in the hole you just made. A good size wick is 2" for m-80's and 5" for m-500 Now for the powder mixture. Follow this EXACTLY as I have stated. or you might be sorry. I have made these countless times and never had an accident so here it goes!

Get a plactic container and a PLASTIC spoon. No Metal!!! Pour 4 parts by volume or 2 parts by weight of the potassium chlorate or 1 part by weight of the powdered aluminum and mix together then add the sulpher 3 parts volume or 1 part by weight and mix all together now you have the famed SILVER POWDER that they use in m80s and firecrackers. Now, take the powder and fill the open ends of the tubes. Then Put a small ball of cotton in the open end and seal it like you did before. Don't worry, if you use hot glue, it will not ignite the powder.

You now have a real m-80 or whatever you made. (like, if you use an oatmeal box, you have an m-3000 or something!)

A Few Cautions

(1) Never smoke around the powder, even if it is not mixed yet.

(2) Never make large amounts. A good amount for each batch is about a Cigar box full.

(3) Never use any metal spoons or metal bowls. They could set off the mixture when you are mixing it.

(4) Never plug the ends with any sharp or Extremely hard material. Bondo is sometimes dangerous because the ends fly out a high velocity and can act like bullets! Windows have been broken by flying bondo!

I usually use tubes that are 4 inches long and have a 1 inch inside diameter. The cardbaord sghoule be relatively thick if you want a good noise. Toilet paper tubes are too thin. The cardboard on a 4" X 1" tube should be 1/16 - 1/8 of an inch thick.

Good luck and don't blow your hands off, or you won't be able to call this sytem and type anything!!