Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Safe primaries for a blasting/booster cap

Manifest - 3-5-2014 at 15:46

I am unsure whether to make TATP or HMTD or don't make them at all.
I have read that 1 gram is enough to take off fingers and I am concerned for my safety but at the same time I want to have some fun.

I am going to be experimenting with Vaseline/potassium chlorate mix, but apparently a blasting cap is mandatory to set it off.
From reading I have found that people give mixed opinions on the stability of HMTD, is it safe? Will 1 gram be enough to set off some of my Vaseline mix?
Unlike some others here I am genuinely concerned for my safety, I have a decent amount of knowledge and always read before trying risky things.
I have a good amount of glassware so I am not using mayonnaise jars lol.

Right now HMTD seems like a fairly good idea, but I would like suggestions on better alternatives to it to set off secondaries.

NeonPulse - 3-5-2014 at 17:20

Its probably been said many times before but if one likes his fingers intact then peroxides should be avoided. Safer alternatives are fairly easily made without too obscure chemicals needed. Each primary explosive has its pros and cons I guess it would be up to you to decide which one is most suitable for your purposes.. I did start with HMTD and once made AP out of curiosity but upon learning the horror stories using them I moved onto silver acetylide DS. Now lead azide it the choice and I haven't looked back.

TurboZfreak - 3-5-2014 at 17:54

Quote: Originally posted by Manifest  
I am unsure whether to make TATP or HMTD or don't make them at all.
I have read that 1 gram is enough to take off fingers and I am concerned for my safety but at the same time I want to have some fun.

I am going to be experimenting with Vaseline/potassium chlorate mix, but apparently a blasting cap is mandatory to set it off.
From reading I have found that people give mixed opinions on the stability of HMTD, is it safe? Will 1 gram be enough to set off some of my Vaseline mix?
Unlike some others here I am genuinely concerned for my safety, I have a decent amount of knowledge and always read before trying risky things.
I have a good amount of glassware so I am not using mayonnaise jars lol.

Right now HMTD seems like a fairly good idea, but I would like suggestions on better alternatives to it to set off secondaries.


You can use a straight ETN cap. ETN is relitivly stable. It is not considered a primary, but it has a property which can allow ETN to bridge the gap.

ETN is sensitive to aluminum, and when subjected to alot of heat will detonate. 1g of etn will set off "vasalate" with no problem.

Check you U2U

I would STAY away from organic peroxides at all cost. Lead Azide would be the best choice.

[Edited on 4-5-2014 by TurboZfreak]

[Edited on 4-5-2014 by TurboZfreak]

Napolean Dynamite - 3-5-2014 at 18:33

Here's your shopping list to make Silver Acetylide Double salt, a much safer alternative. You'll have to look for a reputable synthesis procedure yourself and engineer a homemade gas generator/bubbler:

http://reviews.lowes.com/0534/3371170/reviews.htm
http://www.ebay.com/sch/Silver-/39487/i.html
http://www.ebay.com/itm/RETORT-500-mL-/370570554596
http://www.lowes.com/pd_188198-316-HG-66420_0__?productId=47...
http://unitednuclear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&am...

your welcome

Manifest - 5-5-2014 at 04:30

ETN seems to be the best option. Hard to detonate with shock/impact and will detonate with a fuse.

I just need to order some potassium nitrate and ethrionol from amazon.

Turner - 5-5-2014 at 06:14

Won't detonate by flame

Metacelsus - 5-5-2014 at 06:27

I've had ETN detonate (more precisely, deflagration to detonation transition) once by flame. It is not a reliable primary.

Zyklon-A - 5-5-2014 at 10:28

It can be made more reliable though:http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/viewthread.php?tid=28532
It still isn't a great primary, but good for a beginner.