


                                -=Arclight=-
                                   4-27-93                    
    Well, gentle reader, I suppose you have been wondering just what kind 
of people are responsible for this chaotic collection of 0's and 1's we call                                                               
DnA, so here goes. My handle, as you know, is Arclight. I've been in the 
computer scene for going on 5 years now, and I've been BBS'ing for for the 
last 3. My hacking mentality has been with me all my life; I've always been 
on the lookout for ways to play with the system, to defeat the bureaucracy. 
Anyway, all I have to say is keep your eyes open, realize how silly life
is and take advantage of it, and if your going to hell and in a handbasket
anyway, enjoy the ride!
    
                            
                 Name/Handle: Arclight
            Previous handles: None
                   Interests: Explosives, locksmithing, computers, Pac Bell
                              telephones, German gun manufacturers. 
                  Occupation: Student          
            Internet Address: *coming soon*
   Places I can be contacted: Digital Decay BBS (714)871-2057
                              Minus Morgul      (714)646-9180

    Well, that's all for now, so go enjoy the rest of the magazine.
                 "Well, fuck 'em if they can't take a joke!"
                  "Fuck 'em even if they can take a joke!" 





-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
                          Home Explosives Workshop
                 Chapter I: Low explosives and the basics 
                              Written 4-27-93
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

      Well, I'm sure by now you probably have pages and pages of textfiles 
   telling you how to make Napalm, TNT, etc. While many are excellent (The 
   Jolly Roger Cookbook series, to name one), there are also a lot of crappy 
   ones that are unreliable or just plain dangerous. My intention here is to 
   provide the anarchist with a set of recipes and techniques that will 
   enable him to safely manufacture all the explosives he needs, in the 
   privacy of his own home. To start with, the following are some guidelines 
   and basic recipes that I find useful.
    
           



               -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-BLACK POWDER-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

  The following mixture yields a fast burning Black Powder that, while not as
good as commercial grade, will work in explosives and as a propellent:

Potassium Nitrate: 6 Parts
Charcoal:          1 Part
Sulfur:            1 Part

   Obtain the best grade chemicals available. These may be ordered from various 
sources, such as those listed at the end of this file.                     

   The chemicals should be ground as finely as possible in a mortar
and pestle or a small gemstone tumbler. (separately, of course!). 
   
   They are then  mixed with enough water to form a thin paste. 
This should be heated (Carefully!) until small bubbles form (NOT to the
point of boiling!) 
  
   The mixture, after being thoroughly mixed and heated,is then
dropped into a quantity of alcohol of at least twice the volume of the powder
paste. This mixture is stirred for 5 full minutes, then strained hard through
a piece of cloth, such as an old T-Shirt. 
   
   The powder is then set out to dry in the sun. If the grains
begin to stick together, remix the powder and alcohol and again set out
to dry. This yields a good quality Black Powder that can be screened into any
desired fineness.
  
   This recipe is an adaptation of that found in the "Improvised Munitions 
Handbook." I personally use this recipe, and can verify that it works. 




                  -=-=-=-=-=-=Uses of Black Powder=-=-=-=-=-=-
   
   Black Powder is a low explosive that is very spark sensitive, burns quickly
(4000+ Feet per second), and produces a large volume of smoke. Possible uses 
include igniters, rocket devices, and pipebombs.  

   The pipebomb is one of the easiset devices to produce, yet is very effec-
tive. It can be made from any size water pipe, metal or plastic, from 1/2" to
2" in diameter and 2" to 2' long. The ends are plugged by endcaps, with one 
having the fuse pass through a hole drilled in it. The device is filled 
approx. 3/4 full of explosive. The finished device looks something like this:

                                          
                ޳͵   
      ޳:::::::::::::::::  
           \    ޳͵  
            \      \                  
             \          \
              \          \
               \          Wax threads before screwing on
                \                to avoid sparks!
                 \
                  Glue in fuse, to prevent premature spark detonation.

   Whatever type of explosive device you make with black powder, just remember 
that it will not explode unless it is confining. the burning powder. Black 
powder in the open willl *not* explode, only burn.





   

             -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-Smoke Bombs=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

   
   Smoke screens can be very effective in confusing your enemy, screening
your movements, and creating general havock. The following mixtures will 
create high quality smoke screens. They can be ignited with a small amount of
road flare mix and a fuse+black powder.


                Chemical     Parts
 (White)            
               Zinc Dust       2
         Hexachlorethane       1    (Fuel Tablets) 

                  Sulfur       3
       Potassium Nitrate       4
        Black Iron Oxide       2.5






                 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-Fuses=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
    
    Good fuses are essential to making safe and reliable explosives. The 
*best* way to obtain fuse is to buy rolls of cannon fuse at gun shows. This 
fuse is safe, reliable, and waterproof. Failing that, they can be made as 
follows:

    Take a small amount of black powder (see above) and moisten it with water
to form a paste.  Twist 3 strands of cotton string together and rub the 
paste into them, working it evenly around the strings. Now, allow this to dry 
and cut to length. 
    
   An alternative to this is to use a single string, dip it in thick lacquer
(Clear nail polish and airplane "Dope" paint work well), then rub the black 
powder into it. Note that these tend to burn rather fast.
    



                      -=-=-=-=-=-=Definitions-=-=-=-=-=-

Blasting cap- A small metal cylinder containing a detonating mixture
Booster- A charge detonated by a cap, used to detonate a larger charge
Charge- A quantity of explosives to be detonated
Detonate- To explode violently, chemically different from fast burning.
Fuse- Any device that ignites something after a specified amount of time
Fuze- An adjustable fuse/detonator assembly used on artillery shells, bombs
High explosive- An explosive that detonates spontaneously and violently. Also, 
                detonates at 10,000 fps+  (i.e. C-4, Dynamite, TNT, etc.)
Ignitor- Any device that initiates a flame to ignite something else
Low explosive- A less powerfull explosive, uses an oxidizer and fuel
                 (i.e. Black Powder, Ammonium Nitrate, etc.)
Propellent- Any substance that burns and releases gases that propel something

          


                      -=-=-=-=-=-Sources=-=-=-=-=-

  Chemicals can be obtained through various mail order companies or purchased
locally at chem. supply stores. Two good mail order companies that stock the
necessary chemicals are as follows:
                             
                             
                             Hagenow Laboratories
                             1302 Washington St.
                             Manitowac,WIS. 54220
                              (Catalog $2.00)


                             Impulse Reactions
                               PO Box 61342
                             Seattle WA 98121
                              (202)526-5305

Other sources can be found by looking under "Chemistry" and "Chemicals" in the 
advertising sections of Popular Science and related magazines. Believe it or 
not, UPS will ship anything you want right to your door, no hassles.


       Well, that's all for this issue, so be sure to stay tuned for more 
   quality DnA explosives info. Coming soon: High explosives and Detonators,
   Ammonium Nitrate and its use, Plastic Explosives, Delay mechanisms: 
   Electronic, chemical, and mechanical, Fuel-Air Explosives.

                    Have fun and stay out of trouble!

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