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Making Cannon Fuse With Coffee Stirrer?

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to much trouble, Dixie has 25' of good fuse for around $6. You might find some other places that have a better buy.
If you use black powder in that straw it will burn a lot faster than you want.
 
Mule Brain said:
I was told by someone that they put powder in a coffee stirrer to make cannon fuses. I cant find that info?? Does anybody here do that, or make fuse another way??

Since most coffee stirrers that I have seen are plastic, that would leave melted plastic in the vent when used, I wouldn't recommend that...

Cannon fuse is flexable, coffee stirrers are not...

If you do make these, try them on something other than a loaded cannon, it may go quickly leaving you no tome to take cover...
 
I wouldn't use granulated black powder for a fuse. It burns too fast. Fuse train powder is formulated to burn at a very slow rate (fractions of an inch per second vs. yards per second). In fact if you confine black powder as in a straw or coffee stirrer it will burn faster even than in the open air. Slow match used in commercial aerial and set pieces comes with a paper sleeve over most of its length, with the igniting end exposed. That part burns relatively slowly, but as soon as the fire reaches the paper sleeve, it really takes off. I almost ate a 5" aerial shell before learning the proper way to fire.

Do as the man says above: buy some of that red or green colored sheathed fuse used in M80 salutes and backyard aerial display fireworks. It is small diameter, water resistant, and with good quality control has a uniform burn rate. Test it for burn rate first, then cut to a safe length, insert in the cannon vent, light and "retire".

Have fun!!
 
We use quills for F&I cannon. Cut McDonalds coffee stir straws to desired length. Put 4f in a pan. Take paper correction tape and press into the 4f. Powder will adhere to the white correction stuff. Bend and insert into straw. Makes a nice quill, no plastic residue, works in light rain, quill blows out the top. We put a small point on the lower end to help in ensuring the cartouche is pierced through the foil.
 
It's more work than its worth but here is how to make fuse. P.S. They also sell cannon fuse. (I'd buy it already made)[url] http://www.pyrocreations.com/how_to_make_visco[/url]

Andy
 
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Quill making was presented and demonstrated at the NMLRA Artillery Drill & Safety course. The following is what was presented.

A) The paper straws are 4mm (3/16” and cut to 4” length.

B) Use double sided stick Scotch tape (1/2” wide) and coat both sides with 4F black powder. Cut in half to get 2 ”“ ¼” wide strips. (I pour powder into a saucer and dip the tape to coat both sides.

C) Fold the end of a tape strip into a “V” and slide into a paper straw, leaving ¼ - ½” tail sticking out.

I prefer paper straws to plastic---I don’t like the idea of molten plastic flying around, plus the paper is biodegradable. I would suspect that the plastic could clog the touch-hole, but I don’t have any proof one way or the other.

The paper straws are available from: “School Speciality”
1-888-388-3224
Item# 30200216---art straws
Approx. 1800 straws---16” long X 4 mm(3/16)
Cost: $36.79 per 1800 straw case (Not sold in
smaller amounts)

NOTICE from Cpt Ed Only:
This quill should only be used with a portfire or Slow Match Linstock for the ignition is instantaneous. If you are to demonstrate making and using this item, you must wear hearing and eye protection as well as leather gloves.

--- BE AWARE AND ALWAYS EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED ---
 
Reason we use the plastic over the paper is we would rather have "molten" plastic flying around than and ember with burning paper. The plastic ones that I have recovered have not been melted. They do eject and the chances of a goofy incident with the ember is more concern.
 
I made some cannon fuses last weekend with the red coffee stirrers. I used rs pyrodex to fill up the stirrers. It worked super! Also no sign of melted plastic.

I shot goex fff 300 grains, wadded with grass and it sure was a thrill to all!

cannonboom.jpg
 
Dixie Gunworks had a "recipe" back in the 80's where you soaked yarn in a blackpowder slurry. I made up a batch and it works quite well. the coating was uneven, but it burned well, albiet unevenly. a fun experiment, but I'd put my money on commercial fuse.
 
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