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flat-pack explosive (squib)

by drboom on August 17, 2006 Table of Contents intro: flat-pack explosive (squib) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . step 1: gather materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . step 2: make fuse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . step 3: make flash powder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . step 4: cut paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . step 5: measure flash powder into wrapper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . step 6: second fold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . step 7: end fold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . step 8: final fold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . step 9: storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . step 10: use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2 3 5 5 5 7 7 8 9 9

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http://www.instructables.com/id/flat-pack-explosive-squib/

intro: flat-pack explosive (squib)

This is a small electrically triggered flat pack explosive. Commonly called a "squib", it is often used in stage and film to trigger various special effects. *** WARNINGS:*** THIS INSTRUCTABLE INVOLVES HAZARDOUS MATERIALS. OXIDATION HAZARD. EXPLOSION HAZARD. YOU CAN HURT YOURSELF. NOT FOR CHILDREN. FOLLOW DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY, AND USE COMMON SENSE. **********************

step 1: gather materials

Materials you will need: nichrome wire (for igniter). Failing this, you can use some thin (30 AWG) copper wire medium gauge (16 AWG or so) insulated wire (stranded), for trigger wires normal bond paper cellophane tape aluminum power potassium perchlorate Tools you will need: wirecutters wire strippers a small scale (capable of weighing small numbers of grams accurately) a metal cylindrical roller an anti-static computer bag

http://www.instructables.com/id/flat-pack-explosive-squib/

step 2: make fuse

This is the electrical fuse for the squib. First, cut two pieces of your fuse wire, 1 to 2 feet long. Strip both ends. Next, cut a small piece of your igniter wire, about 1.5" long. Twist one fuse wire to each end of the igniter wire. Double the ends of the igniter wire over, to add mechanical integrity Straighten the whole thing out.

Image Notes 1. finished fuse

Image Notes 1. fuse wires

http://www.instructables.com/id/flat-pack-explosive-squib/

Image Notes 1. igniter wire

Image Notes 1. stripped

Image Notes 1. twist securely

Image Notes 1. bend the end of the igniter wire over, to add mechanical strength

Image Notes 1. finished fuse

http://www.instructables.com/id/flat-pack-explosive-squib/

step 3: make flash powder

See the other instructable, "flash powder". Make about 1 to 1.5 grams of flash powder for each squib.

Image Notes 1. small amount of flash powder mixed in anti-static bag.

step 4: cut paper

Cut the paper wrapper. Simple: It is a square piece of white paper, about 4" by 4". That's all!

step 5: measure flash powder into wrapper

Lay your igniter across the wrapper. Pour 1 to 1.5 grams (about 1/2 tsp) of flash powder onto the igniter. Make first fold about 40% of the way up the wrapper.

http://www.instructables.com/id/flat-pack-explosive-squib/

http://www.instructables.com/id/flat-pack-explosive-squib/

Image Notes 1. first fold 2. igniter wire is laid across wrapper before folding

step 6: second fold

Fold the top of the wrapper down, and tape in place.

step 7: end fold

Fold one end of the wrapper over, including the fuse wire, and tape in place.

http://www.instructables.com/id/flat-pack-explosive-squib/

step 8: final fold

Turn the open end of the wrapper up, and jiggle the wrapper to settle the flash powder deep into the wrapper. Turn the wrapper over, and place flat on the table. Fold the open end across, on the opposite side as the first end you folded. Include the fuse wire in the fold. Tape in place. Wrap another piece of tape around the entire squib for good measure, to keep it from spontaneously untaping.

http://www.instructables.com/id/flat-pack-explosive-squib/

step 9: storage
Store until use in a cool, dry place. Best to store in an antistatic bag. Keep away from children, pets, other chemicals, and sources of ignition.

step 10: use

Strip the ends of the fuse wires. Attach to a plug or otherwise so you can put 120 volts AC across the fuse wires. Plug into a long extension cord (at least 25'). To ignite: Step WAY back (at least twenty feet), get hearing protection (it's about as loud as a good-size gunshot), clear the area of bystanders, and post spotters so no one goes near the charge plug it in -- BOOM!! be sure to unplug before picking up the pieces!

http://www.instructables.com/id/flat-pack-explosive-squib/

Image Notes 1. suicide cord -- BE CAREFUL! 2. already exploded

Image Notes 1. go boom!

Related Instructables

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Pneumatic Squib Tutorial by Crosius

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How To Make A Jet Pack for $30 by indymogul

Build an Amazing Tesla CD Turbine by mrfixits

Special FX: Almost-free Squirting Blood Effect by that_one_guy

specialised and high explosive ammunition for the H.S.S.R by ultimachris

Homemade (Waterproof) Fuse, For Homemade Fireworks by lemonie

Advertisements Customized Instructable T-shirts

http://www.instructables.com/id/flat-pack-explosive-squib/

Comments
36 comments Add Comment

szechuan53 says:

Jul 29, 2008. 5:31 PM REPLY i'm 14. teenager, not child, w00t! but seriously, i can handle this. i am willing to bet that i am the only one of my age interested in purchasing xenon diflouride and knows where to get it. i can handle a squib.

Kataze says:
You'd be surprised, man.

Sep 4, 2008. 3:04 PM REPLY

Tombini says:
What would you want it for? Fluridation? Anyway Sulfur Hexafluride (SH6) is much more fun 6 times as dense as air and safe for the lungs

Sep 3, 2008. 4:41 PM REPLY

Kataze says:
six times as dense, about a million more times as expensive. :P

Sep 4, 2008. 3:04 PM REPLY

szechuan53 says:

Sep 4, 2008. 2:03 PM REPLY maybe for an element sample, as most other available forms of xenon aren't very visual. and, yes, i know what sulfur hexaflouride is. i'm crazy, not stupid.

hoody5891 says:
where did u get the potassium and where can i get it can i get it shipped from uk or somewhere to australia

Mar 31, 2007. 8:37 PM REPLY

Mr.Bean says:
i'm pretty sure you can get it either on www.unitednuclear.com or www.skylighter.com

Apr 20, 2007. 8:57 PM REPLY

pyrophotographer says:
potassium on unitednuclar, yes but no potassium perchlorate

May 30, 2007. 4:57 AM REPLY

Tombini says:
Does united nuclear have any perchlorates?

Sep 3, 2008. 4:42 PM REPLY

themasterpyro says:

Oct 24, 2007. 9:21 AM REPLY that and they would NOT let you buy it on your first order. if you try or try to get components from them for m80's and such they will deny the order and flag you. after 3 flags they will BAN YOU AND YOU WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO BUY ANYTHING FROM SKYLIGHTER.COM EVER AGAIN LEGAL OR NOT!!!

BlueFusion says:

Jun 30, 2007. 9:01 PM REPLY It costs a lot to ship stuff into Australia from unitednuclear. If anyone knows of an australian chemical supplier like unitednuclear I'd love to hear about it.

Archive555 says:

Mar 29, 2008. 12:40 AM REPLY I too would love to find a supplier within australia. I have looked at a couple of places '*cough* anarchists cookbook *cough*' where they say it is also called salt peter, and is in stump remover, but I haven't confirmed this yet. Thx anyways.

Tombini says:
I get my KNO3 from Sigma I live in Perth...

Sep 4, 2008. 9:43 PM REPLY

http://www.instructables.com/id/flat-pack-explosive-squib/

BlueFusion says:
It is called saltpetre however it is not present in stump remover in Australia due to regulations.

Mar 29, 2008. 4:41 AM REPLY

However I have a recent discovery which I will share in the form of an Instructable as to how to derive a powerful explosive from legally obtainable materials, i.e. stuff you have at your local supermarket. :D Will post that in the next few days.

pyrophotographer says:
so would i

Oct 24, 2007. 11:24 PM REPLY

frontier says:

Jul 17, 2008. 5:44 PM REPLY just curious i thought primarily gunpowder only exploded if it was in a solid container etc that can withstand some pressure? , which i dont think paper can.. is this only for regular gunpowder / black powder, and not for flash powder?

-Aj- says:

May 4, 2008. 9:15 PM REPLY ah! potassium perchlorate. here you can use potassium permanganate instead. its used in the making of flashpowder. which looks like what your doing here. google flashpowder recipe. dont know it off the top of my head. yeah warning with this stuff. 30g in a plastic film canister protector makes a fking loud noise and can be heard for several km. recommend safe distance > 5km from any pawleece in the area.. oh and dont stand closer then 15m. if unsure always start off with small amounts and stand far away, then vary those as you get a feeling of how stuff will react. you can buy potassium permanganate from your local chemist. comes in a crystal form and approx 50g containers. costs around $10 aus

-Aj- says:

May 4, 2008. 9:23 PM REPLY oh and potassium nitrate you get from and rural suppliers. its a fertilizer. i get mine from CRT (coastal rural traders) for central coast nsw area. be sure to get greenhouse grade. its fairly pure if you cant get pure stuff. go to any gardening place and find something thats got a high percentage of potassium nitrate in it. then dissolve it in hot water untill no more will dissolve. add alittle extra hot water to make sure its all dissolved though. then put your container in the fridge and leave it for afew hours untill its nice and cool. crystals will start to form this is potassium nitrate. or on a larger scale, dissolve it in water (not hot) then "slowly" add methylated spirits. the metho is more soluable then the kno3 so it will force it out of solution. once the crystals start to form you can stop adding the metho. just experiment abit with it if you want.

Reeper says:

Jul 12, 2007. 6:49 PM REPLY i didnt bother reading all the comments but one guy said use a 6v. instead of using steel wool if your a musition like me use a guitar string. unwind the outside wraps and you have a super long, high resistance wire. silver liek nicrome too hehe

mondaymonkey says:

May 15, 2007. 9:23 PM REPLY ya know..... if you can't find Ni-chrome wire, cuz its hard to find unless your a toaster-makers, you can always use steel wool. Alot cheaper, just very fragile. As well, why are you even thinking about plugging it into a wall??? That is complete overkill. A 6V battery will work.

fuzzylugnut says:
Things like this make my hair stand on end. The concept is sound, yes, confine a deflagrant and have a resistance element to ignite it. However... I see several things that are wrong with this squib. (Besides that you're mixing flash powder in a non conductive plastic bag)

Mar 25, 2007. 2:31 PM REPLY

First off, the pyrotechnic compound that you're using: flashpowder. That alone should defer you from using this. The flash duration with flashpowder is usually pretty long, so you loose a lot of frames cutting out the flash portion of the scene. Bullet wounds don't flash, nor does inanimate hits in dirt or the wall. Flashpowder will result in your actor catching on fire. Great amounts of IR radiation is given off by the heated aluminum atoms. This energy only contributes to the burning of the paper envelope, and the flaming cloths of the unlucky actor. Secondly, your resistance element is THICK! Nichrome is available on Ebay in thicknesses down to 0.004in. The thinner the resistance wire, the less power required to heat it up. You could easily use a car battery to set off dozens of squibs at one time made from 0.004in x 0.5 in wire. Using line current to initiate your squib is absolutely insane. This poses a great risk to anyone wearing it, operating it, or standing in the general vicinity of the event. Please, if the first thing that comes to your mind when asked ?How am I going to set off this squib? is ?Lets plug it in!?, seek professional assistance with your squibed scenes, or use pneumatic squibs. For amateur film directors, I highly recommend pneumatic squibs. They're inexpensive, generally safe, and building instructions can be found all over the internet. I've used all kinds of pneumatics and they are just so much better for most all of your scenes. Think to yourself each time you need to do a squib scene: Do I really need a pyrotechnic, or can this be done with pneumatics?

http://www.instructables.com/id/flat-pack-explosive-squib/

pooboy says:
cant belive how much people type

Mar 6, 2007. 3:32 PM REPLY

Bert2368 says:
So many dangerous, wrong things. Where to start?

Mar 4, 2007. 11:28 PM REPLY

1. Line current (high voltage AC) should not be used for a pyrotechnic firing systems EVER. That goes DOUBLY SO FOR BODY HITS!!!!! 2. A pyrotechnic firing system MUST require two positive actions to fire. What is your crew and cast's life and limb worth to you? 3. Flash powder might just leave your cast's clothes or your props on fire. Professional bullet hits/squibs use primary high explosives such as Lead azide, with small additions of other explosives to ensure just the right amount of force and gas. They do NOT leave clothing or props on fire, flash powder DEFINITELY will do so. Making such items safely and reliably enough for use on cast is not a beginner's project, and with the exception of Brother Bear, your comments show you to be such. No offense or disrespect for your goals is meant, everyone has to start somewhere. But this is about the most exacting and demanding area of pyrotechnics. I've been doing pyrotechnics professionally for around 15 years now, and I sweat bullets over this type of project. If you want to do pyrotechnic SFX work around live actors, please find an experienced mentor. What you don't know may very well kill someone. In the meantime, you can do most bullet hits with pneumatics as Brother Bear suggests. I use such when I can, and I have access to a full range of SFX products and licenses and insurance for this work. Incidentally, the blood is generally held over a pyrotechnic hit in a cheap unlubricated condom, not a jury rigged plastic envelope.

hush012 says:
You can do a body simply! ( as i do it for stage ) you need: - metal sheet (1mm. thick) 2"X2" square cut - hot glue gun - flash powder - Xmas tree lights ( the net like ) - sand paper instrcutions: - get 1 light, scratch the top with sand papers to make a small hole in it. - pour the FP in it, then but some hot glue on it(now you get a charge). - bring the metal sheet, but a drop of the glue in the center and stick the charge on it. - then smother it with a full triger squeez of the hot glue, and let cold off. - YOU got your squib! :) FOR BLOOD EFFECT: - but some thin plastic sheet on the top of squib and glue it, DON'T FORGET to let some space to pour the blood in from! then pour your blood in and glue it closed! :) use a 9v battery to fire it! Enjoy :)

Jan 22, 2007. 10:57 PM REPLY

Brother_Bear says:

Dec 19, 2006. 6:30 PM REPLY I would actually recommend using a Pneumatic system instead its simpler and safer and you get great arm muscles pumping up the garden sprayer you use as a pressure cylinder. :)

jlames says:

Nov 23, 2006. 7:16 PM REPLY We are currently shooting a prime time pilot that involves a large drive-by shooting and found your site so I thought I'd comment on what our SEFX guys are doiong, To cut don the cost, a simple way is to first prepare the blood, a concoction of 4 parts- Clear corn syrup, 2 parts- Chocolate syrup 1 part Red food coloring, 1 part Water and 1 drop- Blue food coloring per 1/4cup. Then, fill small balloons with the mixture and heat-seal them closed with no air using a standard baggie sealer froom the grocery store. The most important part is to proteect the "victim" so we use a 2"X2" piece of plastic as a backing. Place an Estes rocket igniter available at any Hobby Store on it and then the balloon on top of that. It's important to do 2 things to the igniter before it's ready. First, hot-glue the wire ends where they meet the small charge to reinforce the connectioon and 2, solder a 3-foot piece of wire to each igniter lead. The hot-glue reinforces the connectors and the extra lead lendth allows the wires to be run under a shirt, down an arm and to a battery with a push-button interrupter that the "victim" will use to blow the squib. Now, tape the balloon tightly to the plastic backing wrapping the tape arounf the edges of the plastic to protect the wearer from sharp edges. This puts moderate pressure on the balloon so when the wearer pushes the button igniting the rocket igniter, it breaks the baloon squirting the "blood" out. Finally, tape the squib to the area of the body that will take the hit and pull the wires with button and battery attached up and then down the shirt sleeve so the wearer can trigger the squib. manually Lastly, cut a small "X" in the shirt over the squib and, from the back side, place a small and I mean small piece of tape to hold the "X" edges together. After that, the guy with the gun points it at the victim, empty of course, and pulls the trigger while the "victim" pushes the button igniting the squib and taking the hit. The igniter ignites breaking the balloon and the contents, under pressure, break the "X" in the shirt and squirts out. Now, this should only be done by a licensed pyrotecnician familiar with special effects so it's here's ever-present, "Closed Course. Professional Driver. Do not attempt at home. All expolsives are dangerous and can result in severe bodily injury. Hire a professonal." I don't want you to try this yourself but if you wanted to know how our professionals do it, this is how.

StuntMan54961 says:
I make ours the same way the studios do. use an empty gel cap (like and empty "contac" cold capsule) depending on blood pack, wall hit, etc. place powder in one side of the capsule drill tiny hole in other side, and slide in the igniter wire. use cotton to pack the wire side and left over empty space of the powder side of the capsule. Put the two halves together. Tape seam with scotch tape. Submerge into blood pack and seal. Fashion a metal pate (we use aluminum) in the shape you want the charge to blow in.

Sep 27, 2006. 9:15 AM REPLY

http://www.instructables.com/id/flat-pack-explosive-squib/

Plance blood pack on plate and tape into position with gaffers (plumbers tape) Tape hit under shirt. Use a 2nd Metal plate under a 2nd shirt next to skin. Run wire down to pocket, etc. and to 9v battery source. (we have a momentary push botton as the fire device.) This effect obviously is triggered by the actor or stuntperson that is taking the hit. Photos to follow..if you are interested. Also...a "lady finger" fire cracker can be substitued for the gel cap.. but requires much more care and involved proceedure.

INSANE WAYNE says:

where is the pictures - gory I hope

Nov 17, 2006. 1:12 PM REPLY

crzylkfox says:
You could use the little igniters from model rocket engines. They are already setup for it and ignite at 12VDC.

Oct 22, 2006. 3:34 PM REPLY

Falling_Jihad says:

Oct 13, 2006. 5:52 PM REPLY Also what could i use in place instead of a extension cord. I'm an amature film maker and i kind of dont feel like getting electricuted when placing this on my chest.

Falling_Jihad says:
yo could i use gun powder instead of flash powder. i mean there is alot of smoke and light with this, wouldnt it just look fake as a squib.

Oct 13, 2006. 5:45 PM REPLY

Falling_Jihad says:
Were can i obtain some of this aluminum powder and potassium stuff.

Oct 5, 2006. 3:41 PM REPLY

0.775volts says:
the wires don't fuse together, I use ac as an ignition source whenever I can, and I've never had a problem.

Aug 19, 2006. 1:35 PM REPLY

so, I thought squibs were the charge used to blood packs and the like, but this seems like it might be a little dangerous to use on a person. are they similar?

drboom says:

Aug 21, 2006. 7:31 PM REPLY Yes, this is the one for use with blood packs. You use a piece of sheet metal as the backing (against the person's body), with a bit of foam padding. If someone wants to post an instructable for good quality fake blood (karo syrup, titanium dioxide, red food coloring, green food coloring), and blood packs, then our fledgeling special effects group will be off to a good start.

austin says:
odd considering this is about making an explosive in the first place.

Aug 18, 2006. 3:09 PM REPLY

well duh you could uses less voltage but its the ac current that being used not dc so unless you want to get a converter then 120 it is. beside saying that the voltage is a fire hazard is kind

stienman says:

Aug 18, 2006. 10:02 AM REPLY 120VAC! Wow, it'll work, but what a fire hazard! If the two wires fuse together after the explosion a huge amount of current will be drawn, enough to start a fire somewhere else along the wire. You really should research how much current is required to ignite the squib with the nichrome wire and apply only as much as needed to set it off. There are many other safety measures that could be taken (controlled pulse - wires are not electrified for longer than necessary, fusing, heavier duty wires, etc). A good squib design will fire without fail with less than 1 amp of current (but more than 100mA to prevent false triggers)

http://www.instructables.com/id/flat-pack-explosive-squib/