Painting the Sky

Safety Accident Analysis - How one of the most benign mixes we work with caused a fatality. There are additional comments from an email by Kurt Medlin. This was reposted by permission from the PGI bulletin and credit is given at the front of the article.
Stainless Steel Bowl Ignition. Never use stainless steel bowls when working in the sunlight. If you have a live composition in the bowl, it can ignite. This link is to a short video by Blake Stoltz. It shows an ignition of some BP after only 30 seconds in the sunlight. In the test previous to this video, the ignition occurred approximately 5 seconds after setting the bowl in the sun.

Be sure to read about charcoal as a variable - Your choice of charcoal is critical to the outcome of many of the experiments listed on this site.

Aluminums A posting from rec.pyrotechnics in 2001 that describes the various old aluminums and gives details on aluminum in general. This was authored by Mike Swisher.
Basic Pyrotechnic Devices A short list from the rec.pyrotechnics FAQ
Benzolift A way to make super-hot BP
Black Match The most common fuse for pyrotechnics - how to make it
Black Powder A discussion of the precursors and some techniques

Precipitation (CIA) Method The CIA method is not my preferred method but is listed here in case no ball mill is available
Black Powder Tests (U.S. Army Ballistic Research Laboratory Tests)

Charcoal - how to make it; there is also a discussion of charcoal in the Black Powder link
Charcoal Tests Ever wonder what different charcoals would do to the efficiency of BP?
Comets

Chemicals Common chemicals used in pyrotechnics
Clay - Comparing Hawthorne Fire Clay to Kitty Litter
Commercial Fireworks Fun
Compositions This is a minimal list. There are all kinds of formulas out there so this isn't meant to be all-inclusive - just things that work for me or about which I'm currently obsessed
Cake - A Small Cake
Daylight Shells on a Budget - 4 inch fun shells that can be launched in the daytime
Dextrin What it is and how to make it.
Double Voice Crackers
Dragon's Eggs - this is really just a short collection of posts by Mike Swisher (a real expert). Used by permission
Electric Igniters
Flying Buckets (Cremora Fireballs, Milk Substitute Fireballs, etc)
Fountains
Girandolas

Girandolas that are bucket bottoms 10" dolas made with 5 gallon bucket bottoms and that mystery ingredient 'X' ;-}
Girandolas that aren't bucket bottoms 8"-10"-12" versions that are easy to make and look like their big brothers -- sort of
24" Girandola lightweight frames are easy An abbreviated guide
Picture essay on how to make a miniature girandola A very simple dola that has a lot going for it - simple, cheap, easy, nice effect, etc.
Things can go wrong Troubleshooting the flight of a girandola

Glusatz (one way to make a time delay fuse)
Helicopters
Monocopters
KNO3 Dementia Scale
Jumping Crackers by Steven. This link is to a word document conversion. Used by permission. I've read how to do this several times but this tutor seems the easiest to understand.. Thanks, Steven!
Mines
Blue Lift - diminishing the muzzle flash on mines
Miscellaneous
Hummers, equipment, etc. These are for ideas only - no step-by-step instructions - all one big page of stuff

Ball Mill
4" Quiet Mill - ideal for milling single chemicals in the shop
Bottle Rocket Stand
Dippers
Drying Cabinet
32 Cue Firing Panel
6 Cue Firing Panel - Just right for backyard displays - but it requires a little work to make.
Hummers
Rocket Motor Test Stand
Six Tube Rocket Loader
Star Board
Star Roller
End Plugs - making end plugs
Time Fuse Punch
Time Fuse Cutter

Shells for cakes
Making a small round paper shell
Pasting a medium sized ball shell with a tape shooter (movie)
Using Easter Eggs for shells
Film Cans (just like Easter Eggs!)
Quick Festival Ball Shells (aka Mouse Turd Stars - see bottom of the linked page)
Two inch plastic canister shells
How much BP for the mortar?
2 Break and Report 2" 'Italian' Shell Classic canister shell construction in miniature
Steel Mortar Pipe
Lampare - kerosene shells

Pasteless Shells - make and fire a 4" (or smaller or larger) shell on the same day
Rice Hulls - the universal burst mix. You will need this if you make many shells.
Rockets (click this link to get general information on how to build them)

Canister Headings for 3/4" motors:
Cap Plug Header
Five Times Report Header for 3/4" rocket motor
Color canister shell for 3/4" rocket motor
Aerolight shell for 3/4" rocket motor (in work)
Shave and a Haircut (brief notes only)
Different examples of rockets with videos and pictures
DJ's Nozzleless Motors
Extra information like reinforcing sleeves, toughening paper tubes, and making rocket sticks
Frequently asked questions about rockets (in work) (several common questions)
Why is a 3/4" ID motor called a "one pound" motor? (explanation by Mike Swisher - by permission)
Magnalium Rockets
Passfire Quote about Making Whistle Rockets by permission from Steve La Duke
Preliminary Perchlorate Tests (aka: I need to get a life)
Ring Rocket (right!)
Rolling your own tubes
Strobes (a file contributed by Steve La Duke and posted with his permission)
Shuttlecock Rockets
Stinger Missiles
Spindle Modification to Ease Motor Release
Tools for Pressing Rockets

Whistle Tools and Techniques - a couple of alternatives are explained. For how to make whistle mixes, see "Whistle Tests" (below)
Whistle Rocket Core Design A shortened version of a document contributed by Eric Hunkins. This document is about experimental core design. Don't go here unless you have a bit of experience. There is a basic core design diagram in the whistles.html page that is used by most. The full text of his document is here.
Whistle Tests A study of how catalysts affect whistle mixes - an explanation of how to make whistle is here