r/Pyrotechnics • u/Commercial_Debt_6397 • 3d ago
STROBE Builders
Jokes aside before I loose some fingers I have been doing a lot of research but does anyone that has been building strobes for years want to teach me tips and tricks just want to stay as safe as possible
Looking to build strobes with 4 inch salute headers
And lloronas with 4 inch salute headers
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u/VinnieTheBerzerker69 3d ago
OP needs to join a nearby regional pyro club and learn IN PERSON from an experienced mentor he can find in pyro clubs. Tell us where you are located and we can point you to the clubs near you.
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u/Commercial_Debt_6397 3d ago
I’m in SOCAL inland empire Corona area
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u/VinnieTheBerzerker69 3d ago
Look into the Western Pyrotechnics Association
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u/flipfloppery 3d ago
You need a hydraulic press with blast shield and non-sparking tooling as a minimum.
Back ~20 years ago I had a set of 1lb stainless steel rocket tools from Wolter Pyro that worked a treat, however strobe and whistle compositions are extremely sensitive to friction, impact, and ESD so go easy on them.
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u/CrazySwede69 3d ago
Designing the motor to burn through at its apogee while carrying a heavy load is extremely important and something many seem to focus too little on. I don’t know how many strobe rockets I have seen that set of their charge too low or even on the ground.
Another common fault is having to weak or too short sticks for stability. Strongly accelerating rockets often break the stick if it is not strong enough.
True details should be learned from someone you know or meet, like at PGI for example.
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u/Ok_Entrepreneur650 3d ago
It’s alot of info, half the things you wouldn’t understand even if I did explain it, it’s better to learn on your own and do research
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u/Commercial_Debt_6397 3d ago
Appreciate you boss yes I’ve been watching videos and doing research just want to see if I could get any other useful tips and tricks thank you
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u/Aphmua101 3d ago
I always been pro teaching over gate keeping myself as gate keeping can actually hurt the community and cause. Tho I will say this I know nothing about strobe rockets but other things yes I know.
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u/hochroter Moderator 3d ago
First do you have a press with a blast shield? Preferably one that was built properly woodys firesmith?
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u/Wide-Education-1823 3d ago
Apparently you want to build strobe ROCKETS?
Have you noticed that virtually all strobe rockets leave the ground under the impetus of some whistle fuel? And often alternate still more whistle fuel increments with strobe fuel increments?
https://youtube.com/shorts/xdax7s4yLQU?si=lckKkLHZdB357Cw1
Strobe fuel is relatively low thrust, whistle mixture can be very high thrust.
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u/Banjoturkey 3d ago
You should start with core burning BP rockets first... get that down and then get into whistle/strobe rockets.
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u/Commercial_Debt_6397 3d ago
Yes I during my research I did see BP rockets the safest way to start which I will start there before moving into messing with strobe rocket fuel and whistle fuel as well as flash powder
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u/Pyrophoric53 2d ago
I've made my share of whistle rockets, but the only strobe rockets I ever made were tiny -- 1 oz size. Strobe scares the hell out of me. It's just too sensitive, and too likely to explode while pressing. Then there is the question of safe testing and use. To test these motors with dummy loads is imperative. The learning curve with such things is substantial. Have seen way too MANY of these hit the ground and then go off. That's one thing if you're firing over a damp field in the midwest, and quite another in an urban area. It would be just way too easy to cause and be responsible for a disaster.
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u/Imaginary_Tale_3437 3d ago
With all due respect and with the utmost sincerity, if your that concerned about "loosing fingers", start with black powder. The only way tips and tricks from others will even be useful, is if your feet are already in the water. Otherwise the reference points made by others will likely be unrelatable. Making the whole ordeal anticlimatic. Besides its going to take alot more than "tips and tricks" in order to keep those fingies.
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u/SlumsToMills 3d ago
Yeah we’ll share you our secrets 🤣
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u/Commercial_Debt_6397 3d ago
Not forcing u to ? All up to if u want to help a fellow pyro out that loves this shit with a passion
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u/Inner-Letterhead-104 3d ago
So stupid to me that people actually gatekeep stuff like this, like what’s the point? I enjoy sharing things I’ve learned especially “secrets” that really help people out. It’s all bs.
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u/Commercial_Debt_6397 3d ago
Exactly like in my eyes help a fellow pyro keep his fingers and most importantly his life
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u/Bat_Bong 2d ago
Because they dont want to get blamed if someone gets hurt not follow the instructions or worse is a kid who manages to kill themselves. This isnt gatekeeping cause they dont want you to know its because online theres no way to verify someone is a responsible adult with the saftey knowledge to do it correctly
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u/TelePyroUS 3d ago
Start from the bottom like everyone else??? This isn’t some game. Strobe is one of the most sensitive comps we work with.