Enhancing Igniters ?

Tom · Jun 23, 2019

Although I have good success with my launch controller (An estes PSII with a 3 cell lipo) every once in a while I get a no go. I have some clustered rockets I would like to try. Sure I can use better igniters but why not try this for 'all' igniters?

I read somewhere that you could dip the heads of the igniters in a dab of "Highly flammable fabric glue". But they never mentioned what glue. I had some Aleens permanent fabric glue and tried that. While it did burn and sputter it was not a satisfying poof!

Also saw a thread on here for a 'formula' but alas the linked videos are long gone.

I was thinking you guys probably have some techniques you use to enhance your igniters?

Zeus-cat · Jun 23, 2019

I have melted ping pong balls in acetone and then dipped igniters in the slurry and let dry.

Tom · Jun 23, 2019

Well there is one I never would have thought of!

tim cubbedge · Jun 23, 2019

You can do the same with single base smokeless gun powder. Dissolve in acetone & dip.

Toothless · Jun 23, 2019

Someone mentioned this stuff in an other thred but I can't remember who it was.
https://www.quickburst.net/quick_dip.htm

Tom · Jun 23, 2019

Cool, but 35 bucks?

kuririn · Jun 23, 2019

I believe the glue is Beacon Fabri-Tac. It contains acetone if I'm not mistaken.
https://modelrocketbuilding.blogspot.com/2018/08/estes-starter-igniter-upgrade-update.html
In Chris' post he removes the clear coating, dips it in the glue, then dips it into fine black powder or 4F.
As Zeus Cat mentioned, nitrocellulose (ping pong balls) and acetone will also enhance the ignition.
The Quick Dip is great, one small jar will coat hundreds of igniters. But you have to keep it in an airtight jar. Check periodically, and pour more acetone if it begins to thicken. You can reconstitute it if it thickens, but not if it dries out and hardens.
For an experiment, I'm thinking clear nail polish and firecracker powder might work, but haven't tried it yet. Pretty cheap, if you have some lying around.

hcmbanjo · Jun 23, 2019

Thanks for the plug BAR!
A correction - I don't dip the igniter wire in the Fabri-tac glue, I apply a little bit of the glue on the igniter bridge wire,
Then roll the glued tip in loose 4F black powder.
https://modelrocketbuilding.blogspot.com/2018/08/estes-starter-igniter-upgrade-update.html
https://modelrocketbuilding.blogspot.com/2018/08/upgrading-estes-starter-igniters-part-1.html
https://modelrocketbuilding.blogspot.com/2018/08/upgrading-estes-starter-igniters-part-2.html

rharshberger · Jun 23, 2019

Tom said:
Cool, but 35 bucks?

Yes, and it works very well.

Tom · Jun 24, 2019

Hah.. I tried the melting ping pong balls. I got my wife to pick up a pack of 6 for a dollar at the dollar store.

Turns out there not 'real' ping pong balls. Rather they are plastic and intended for Beer Pong

Rainmaker · Jun 25, 2019

Tom said:
Hah.. I tried the melting ping pong balls. I got my wife to pick up a pack of 6 for a dollar at the dollar store.

Turns out there not 'real' ping pong balls. Rather they are plastic and intended for Beer Pong

I read somewhere that the yellow ones are always the right ones.

Tom · Jun 25, 2019

Went by Dick's (hate the place) but they have 'real' ping pong balls. I got one each of orange and white.

The orange ones are dissolving now. They take a lot longer to dissolve than I had figured. So results will be delayed somewhat.

Toothless · Jun 25, 2019

Tom said:
Went by Dick's (hate the place) but they have 'real' ping pong balls. I got one each of orange and white.

The orange ones are dissolving now. They take a lot longer to dissolve than I had figured. So results will be delayed somewhat.

Did ya get a table ? You could play a few games while You wait !

Tom · Jun 26, 2019

Did ya get a table ? You could play a few games while You wait !

Heh the guy at checkout actually asked "Want a ping pong table to go with these?"

I just told him "I already have one". Was not about to tell him that I plan to dissolve them in acetone to create pyrotechnics! He either would not have a clue what I was talking about or would have called DHS

Event Horizon · Jun 26, 2019

Has anyone tried wrapping a few layers of flash paper around the igniter??

or inserting flash paper into the nozzle at the same time as the igniter?

Yes, No ?? Bad idea?

cavecentral · Jun 26, 2019

You can light real ping pong balls on fire. Should burn with little residue.

BABAR · Jun 26, 2019

cavecentral said:
You can light real ping pong balls on fire. Should burn with little residue.

but it is really hard to get them into the nozzle of low and mid power engines.......

kuririn · Jun 26, 2019

BABAR said:
but it is really hard to get them into the nozzle of low and mid power engines.......

Jim Hinton · Jun 26, 2019

BABAR said:
but it is really hard to get them into the nozzle of low and mid power engines.......

I've said for years, everything fits, it's just a matter of applying an adequate amount of force. You may need a hydraulic ram to achieve that fit, but it's always, CAN DO!

Jim

Tom · Jun 26, 2019

That follows my theory of flight! That is "Anything can fly if you can throw it hard enough!"

Pretty applicable to rockets

jqavins · Jun 28, 2019

Ping-pong balls, single base smokeless powder, and flash paper are all nitrocellulose (NC). And yes, NC dissolved in acetone is a nice highly flammable glue. In pyrotechnics, I'm told, it's called NC Lacquer. I've enhanced some igniters by mixing finely milled magnesium with finely milled - was it KN or AP? - and using NC lacquer to apply it. Dip in lacquer, then dip pyrogen, let dry thoroughly. (One could repeat if desired; I didn't.) End with a final lacquer dip. Worked great.

dhbarr · Jun 28, 2019

Tom said:
That follows my theory of flight! That is "Anything can fly if you can throw it hard enough!"

Pretty applicable to rockets

In Thrust We Trust

BABAR · Jun 28, 2019

Tom said:
That follows my theory of flight! That is "Anything can fly if you can throw it hard enough!"

Pretty applicable to rockets

Take a look at first post. A flying brick

https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/most-unlikely-object-to-see-in-flight-odd-rocs-gallery.26344/

Toothless · Jul 2, 2019

Tom said:
Cool, but 35 bucks?

$35+$8 for shipping =$42 +Acetone=about $50...But it's Tim Van Milligan Approved !!!.. lols

I've had to many Estes duds, I'm gona give this a try !

jbr · Jul 3, 2019

jqavins said:
Ping-pong balls, single base smokeless powder, and flash paper are all nitrocellulose (NC). And yes, NC dissolved in acetone is a nice highly flammable glue. In pyrotechnics, I'm told, it's called NC Lacquer. I've enhanced some igniters by mixing finely milled magnesium with finely milled - was it KN or AP? - and using NC lacquer to apply it. Dip in lacquer, then dip pyrogen, let dry thoroughly. (One could repeat if desired; I didn't.) End with a final lacquer dip. Worked great.

while most ping pong balls are nitrocellulose, not all are
red dot and green dot powder can be used

RocketT.Coyote · Jul 3, 2019

I use salvaged powder from dud or range pick-up pistol ammo left behind after IDPA matches. Dip the starter coated with said fabric adhesive. A kinetic bullet puller is a big help here.

Ez2cDave · Jul 3, 2019

Toothless said:
$35+$8 for shipping =$42 +Acetone=about $50...But it's Tim Van Milligan Approved !!!.. lols

I've had to many Estes duds, I'm gona give this a try !

Acetone at Wal-Mart in the Fingernail Polish section . . . About $ 2.00 !

Shop smart, shop S-Mart !

Dave F.

jqavins · Jul 3, 2019

Acetone without the additives at Home Depot, $3.77/pt., 7.68/qt., or $16.27/gal. I buy quarts.

dhbarr · Jul 3, 2019

RocketT.Coyote said:
I use salvaged powder from dud or range pick-up pistol ammo left behind after IDPA matches. Dip the starter coated with said fabric adhesive. A kinetic bullet puller is a big help here.

Please don't try this at home, kids. One has no idea how much NC is in there, how much if any NG, whether or not the primer is clean...

An experienced reloader might get away with this, others might not realize the dried residue could be fairly dangerous.

Ez2cDave · Jul 3, 2019

jqavins said:
Acetone without the additives at Home Depot, $3.77/pt., 7.68/qt., or $16.27/gal. I buy quarts.

$2.48 / Pint at Wal-Mart in Fingernail Polish section . . . 100% Acetone

https://www.walmart.com/ip/ONYX-Professional-100-pure-acetone-nail-polish-remover/11047134

Dave F.

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Enhancing Igniters ?

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